Virginia, Richmond Birth Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of a card index to births in the city of Richmond, Virginia for the years 1870 to 1912. The cards are generally arranged alphabetically by the surname and given name(s) of the individual. Many of the cards are typed.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts in these birth indexes generally include the following information:


 * Full date of birth
 * Race of Child and Parents
 * Full name of Father
 * Child's given name
 * Full name of Mother
 * Certificate number

How to Use the Record
To begin your search in the index you need to know the following:


 * Child's name
 * Approximate birth date
 * General birth place

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the birth date along with the place of birth to find the family in census records.
 * Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * It is often helpful to extract the information on all children with the same parents. If the surname is unusual, you may want to compile birth entries for every person of the same surname and sort them into families based on the names of the parents. Continue to search the birth records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who were born in the same county or nearby.
 * When you have located your ancestor’s birth record, carefully evaluate each piece of information about them. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.
 * The father’s occupation can lead you to other types of records, such as employment or military records.
 * The parents' birth places can tell you former residences and help establish a migration pattern for the family.
 * The information in birth records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from record to record.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities.

General Information About These Records
Virginia registration of births, deaths, and marriages began on a county level in 1853 and continued until 1896. Many counties abandoned registration during the Civil War, or recorded only a small percentage of events. Except in some independent cities, records were not kept between 1896 and 14 June 1912, when statewide registration of vital statistics began. Early records, 1853–96, have been microfilmed and are available at The Library of Virginia and the FHL. Marriage bonds and licensing were in place from the 1600s in Virginia, though are sporadic and fragmented. They are usually found among the county levels of records, and are often published.

Related Websites
Virginia Birth Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Virginia Vital Records
 * Virginia Church Records

Sources of information for This Collection
"Virginia, Richmond City Birth Index, 1870-1912." Database. FamilySearch (FamilySearch). Library of Virginia, Richmond City, Virginia. FHL digital images. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.