Roanoke (Independent City), Virginia Genealogy

Description
The City of Roanoke is located in the Western portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia and it's name comes from the Indian word "Rawrenock," which means wampum. These were white shell beads worn by native Americans.

Courthouse


For additional records, see Roanoke County.

History
The town first called Big Lick was established in 1852 and chartered in 1874. It was named for a large outcropping of salt which drew the wildlife to the site near the Roanoke River. In 1882 it became the town of Roanoke, and in 1884 it was chartered as the independent city of Roanoke.

Parent County
1884: Roanoke was created in 1884 from Roanoke County.

Biography

 * History of Roanoke City and history of the Norfolk &amp; Western Railway Company
 * Garland, Hugh A. The Life of John Randolph of Roanoke. New York: D. Appleton, 1851. Two volumes. World Vital Records ($) Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Cemeteries
Roanoke County Cemeteries

Census

 * Records of the field offices for the state of Virginia, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872 -

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * A history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Virginia Roanoke Mission : with special emphasis of the Church in Roanoke.

Presbyterian

 * Presbyterian churches of Roanoke, Virginia Contains historical information about the following Presbyterian churches from both the city and county of Roanoke: Salem, First, Second, Bethany, Norwich, Vinton, West End, Belmont, Melrose and Raleigh Court.

Court Records

 * Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery


 * Chancery order book, no. 1, 1838-1866


 * Circuit Court


 * Chancery papers, ca. 1836-1900


 * County Court


 * County Court common law order books, 1838-1868
 * County Court papers, ca.1838-1910
 * Judgements, ca.1837-1899

Directories

 * Roanoke, Virginia, city directory : including Salem and Vinton, also a buyers' guide and a complete classified business directory

History

 * History and wars of Roanoke County
 * History of Roanoke County, Salem, Roanoke City, Virginia and representative citizens, 1734-1900
 * A place apart: a brief history of the early Williamson Road and North Roanoke Valley residents and places
 * Roanoke: story of county and city
 * Places near the mountains: from the community of Amsterdam, Virginia up the road to Catawba, on the waters of the Catawba and Tinker Creeks, along the Carolina Road as it approached Big Lick and other areas, primarily North Roanoke
 * Salem and Roanoke Valley: a circular of information, location, railroad facilities, business interests, manufacturing prospects, water power, mineral wealth, fertile lands, healthful climate, social, moral, religious and educational advantages
 * When past is prologue: a history of Roanoke County

Inventories, registers, catalogs

 * Roanoke and New River Valleys, Virginia, manuscripts: a guide to collections in the United States

Land and property

 * Botetourt County, Virginia, early settlers : from the earliest times through 1795, in the area that was Botetourt County in 1782, covers parts of present-day counties of Montgomery, Bath, Giles, Floyd, Alleghany, Roanoke, Craig and Monroe
 * Botetourt County, Virginia, early settlers from the earliest times through 1795, in the area that was Botetourt County in 1782
 * County Court


 * Deed books, 1838-1902 ; general indexes to deeds, 1838-1923
 * General index to mixed probate records, 1838-1953; mixed probate records, 1838-1903


 * Commissioner of the Revenue


 * Land tax books, 1845-1899
 * Personal property tax lists, 1838-1850


 * County Surveyor


 * Surveyors' records of Roanoke County, 1849-1868

Maps

 * Botetourt County, Virginia, 1865 and Botetourt and Roanoke counties, 1865-66 land ownership map
 * Roanoke County, Virginia land ownership maps, [186-?] and 1864
 * Botetourt County
 * An historical map of Roanoke County, Virginia : compiled from old maps, historical records and traditions
 * Map of a portion of Roanoke County, Virginia, showing original grants in the area
 * Map of a portion of Roanoke County, Virginia, showing the location and ownership of farms (1825-1875) in relation to a modern map of the area (1960)

Civil War
Since Roanoke was created in 1884 from Roanoke County, see Roanoke County for information about this area in the Civil War.

Newspapers

 * 1990-present - Roanoke Times at Genealogy Bank ($).

Probate

 * General index to mixed probate records, 1838-1953; mixed probate records, 1838-1903

Vital Records

 * 1785-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
 * 1785-1940 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 at Ancestry.com ($) — index
 * Records of the field offices for the state of Virginia, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872 -

Societies, Libraries and Museums

 * Pleasants Lodge No. 63, A.F. &amp; A.M


 * 100 years in the Roanoke Valley (a history of the Lodge)

Family History Centers

 * Roanoke Virginia Family History Center