Frequently Asked Questions about Extracts

Question

How do you know what to include in an extract?

Answer

All extracts are made with both genealogical and historical research in mind.  Extract targets have been expanded to meet special requests, such as the University of Mary Wasington's Department of Historic Preservation's interest in (among other things) construction, builders and building trades.

What is the difference between the "-m-" and "-mr-" notations?

Answer

The "-mr-" (marriage reference) notation is used when marriages are identified in the text of a record.  The "-m-" notation is used when a marriage certificate is part of the record.

Question

Do you actually read every paper in every record ?!?

Answer

Yes -- even subpoenas.

Question

Why do you bother with subpoenas?

Answer

Subpoenas (and summonses) provide the locality in which the subpoenaed resided and may note the move of a person to another locality.  Subpoenas may also note deaths of the subpoenaed.  Even marriage information has been found on subpoenas – for instance, a subpoena issued against “Catherine Smith” may have been returned with the annotation "Executed on Catherine Green, Catherine Smith having married Henry Green".

Question

What genealogical information do you look for?

Answer

Family relationships and vital statistics are important extract targets.  Also noted are name changes, name alternative spellings and aliases.

Question

Are names of slaves noted in the extracts?

Answer

Included in extracts are slave names, slave families and slave vital statistics.  Slave owners are also provided when identified.  Slave occupations are provided in "()" following names. Emancipations are noted as are names of Free Negroes when identified as such.  If an extract target contains the names of more than one slave with the same name that name is listed only once in the extract entry.

Question

What are the numbers in "()" following some names?

Answer

Numbers are the age of the person given during a record event.  For instance, someone giving a deposition might be asked to give their age.  Slave ages may be provided during an estate inventory or accounting.

Question

How many records have been extracted?

Answer

More than 22,400 court records have been extracted and indexed.

Question

How many more records remain to be extracted?

Answer

Records are not extracted until they have been processed for archival storage.  Limiting the estimate to pre-1914 records of court actions, there are approximately 2,000 more records to be processed and extracted as of December 28, 2006. 

Question

Can I get a photocopy of records included in the Historic Court Records extracts?

Answer

Yes, providing photocopying will not damage a document and that copying is within the capability of the Circuit Court equipment (neither color nor large-format photocopying is available).  Instructions for obtaining photocopies are provided with each record extract.  Please note that a photocopy of an entire record can be quite expensive (see the instructions).

Question

How are the records organized?

Answer

The record organization structure is based on the organization structure used by the Library of Virginia Archives, augmented as necessary to reflect the particular requirements the records in the Fredericksburg Courthouse.