The records have been transcribed, as much as feasible, in their entirety from Deeds, Wills, Order Books and any other "official" court record books we found that we hoped might have some information of interest to researchers. Our early books were actually transcribed at the various Court Houses from the original record books, typed at home and printed by our local print shop. Needless to say they are not quite as complete as the later records, when we were able to use films from the State Library of Virginia (which were copies of the actual records) and thus able to thoroughly study them prior to transcribing and publishing. We express sincere gratitude and appreciation to their kind help and the invaluable cooperation of the Fairfax County Virginia Room, both of which facilitated our access to these unique historical records.

If you have not been able to visit the Virginia court houses in order to do your research, we would like to describe the old record books kept by the county clerks in the Virginia Counties we have been able to study. They are very large record books, approximately 15" x 18", hand written by quill pen using ink (imported from England) on heavy, thick vellum paper, with a sturdy grey cloth cover. (Yes a vision of blowing off the centuries of dust and opening the creaking cover and worn pages is appropriate.)

These record books are sometimes mentioned in the County List of charges; for example, on 12 November 1729 a charge to THOMAS EDWARDS for "two record books" in the amount of 1135 pounds of Tobacco was charged in the County Levy for Lancaster County.

Many of the Record Books remaining in some of the County Clerks Offices are still in good shape in spite of the years. The writing varies from being almost impossible to read, to beautifully written in script, consistent with the "record-keeping" practices of the time. In the 1600’s the sentence structure was much the same as the King James version of the Bible and we have tried to publish them just as they are written. We especially liked the older books as they were usually more informative, and give the character of the people in a more interesting manner, than the later ones. Sometimes the writing of the (usually) young scribes is difficult to read, as admitted by Henry Pendleton, a young scribe writing in Orange County Deed Book 18, page 165 … "Henry Pendleton his hand and pen he may right good butt god knows when" … [Deed Abstracts of Orange County Virginia (1778-1786) Antient Press Number OE.DB-03/86, Page 50]

Bookworms and mildew have destroyed parts of many original books, and they are faded and torn in places. It is fortunate that the Record Books not destroyed by War, fire, pestilence and other acts of God and Man, were filmed years ago by the Latter-Day-Saints and the Virginia State Library so that we are able to use them today.

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