Dear Researchers, I understand that Ancestry.com is offering a searchable database for Essex County, VA Marriages (1655-1900) free for the next 10 days. Since so many of our Caroline County ancestors had roots in Essex County, I thought some of you would be interested. Here is an excerpt from Ancestry's newsletter which outlines the database and gives the web address. Joann Ellis Humphries ============================================================ ESSEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA MARRIAGES, 1655-1900 Old Rappahannock County, Virginia was organized in 1656 from Lancaster County and encompassed the land lying on both sides of the Rappahannock River. The land was transferred to Essex County in 1692. This database is a collection of marriage records from the area between 1655 and 1900. Researchers will find the names of both bride and groom, and the marriage date. Taken from the original records held in the Essex County courthouse, it contains the names of over 3,000 men and women. For Ancestry.com patrons seeking ancestors from eastern Virginia, this can be an extremely useful source of information. Bibliography: Wilkerson, Eva Eubank. "Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, 1655-1900." Richmond, VA: Clearfield Company, 1953. To search this database, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/4033.htm