Finding What Was LostThe Lost Records Localities Digital Collection at the Library of Virginia

Finding What Was LostNumerous Virginia localities, most of them in Numerous Virginia localities, most of them in the eastern part of the state, suffered the eastern part of the state, suffered tremendous losses of their early records tremendous losses of their early records because of intense military activity because of intense military activity (predominantly during the Civil War.)(predominantly during the Civil War.)

Finding What Was LostOver 20 localities sent their records to Over 20 localities sent their records to

Richmond for Richmond for ““safekeeping” during the Civil Warsafekeeping” during the Civil War

Finding What Was LostCourthouse fires

Records damagedmore by water to put fire out

King William CountyKing William CountyCourthouse fireCourthouse fire

Finding What Was LostUnfavorable storage conditions that leave that leave

records records susceptible to water damage, pests, and susceptible to water damage, pests, and

moldmold

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was LostNatural disastersNatural disastersVandalism Vandalism TheftTheftNegligence Negligence

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was LostConsiderable loss vs Catastrophic LossConsiderable loss vs Catastrophic Loss

Considerable Loss - locality experienced Considerable Loss - locality experienced a a

substantial loss of its loose records but substantial loss of its loose records but the the

majority of volumes (order books, deed majority of volumes (order books, deed books, will books, etc.) continue to exist.books, will books, etc.) continue to exist.

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was LostCatastrophic Loss locality experienced aCatastrophic Loss locality experienced amassive loss of its loose records and massive loss of its loose records and

volumes volumes (order books, deed books, will books, (order books, deed books, will books,

etc.)etc.)

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was LostLost Records Localities Digital

Project

- Background- Background

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was Lost

Finding What Was LostFinding What Was Lost

Virginia Heritage Project – Finding Aids: http://vaheritage.org/

Out of the Box Blog: http://www.virginiamemory.com/blogs/out_of_the_box/

Chancery Records Index: http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/

Legislative Petition Database: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/petition/

Virginia Memory: http://www.virginiamemory.com

ONLINE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT ONLINE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT LIBRARY OF VIRGINIALIBRARY OF VIRGINIA