Most or all marriage records of Stafford County prior to the Civil War were destroyed and/or looted by Union troops during the winter of 1862-3. Starting in 1853, VA required all counties and cities to issue marriage licenses which was a continuation of the past practice of issuing marriage bonds. However, starting in 1853, each county and city had to complete a report on a yearly basis of all marriages and send a copy to the state. The report was compiled in marriage registers. I suspect that any marriage records that exist at the courthouse are there because they have obtained a copy from the Library of VA. Because of the Yankees, I'll probably never know the maiden name of one of my ggg grandmothers. Thanks a lot guys. Jim Messersmith At 04:49 PM 3/13/2002 , you wrote: >At the Stafford county courthouse, they (records) go from 1853 on to 1920. I >have viewed them personaly. Before 1853 it was not mandated that couples >register their marriages, etc. Good luck. > > >==== VASTAFFO Mailing List ==== >Visit the Stafford County USGenWeb Home Page. >http://www.rootsweb.com/~vastaffo > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237