Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains death certificates and registers from various counties in Virginia. The records date from 1853 through 1912. Records will be added if more become available.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 3

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a parent or date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age listed to determine an approximate birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage records. Also search for immigration, military, land and probate records
 * Use the information to find additional family members in censuses
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Virginia.
 * Virginia Guided Research
 * Virginia Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Virginia Research, 1880-Present
 * Virginia Record Finder

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death Registers, 1853-1906
 * Death records for Richmond City, 1901-1912 ; indexes, ca. 1870-1955

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912
 * Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.