SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Local History & Genealogy

Does the Library have special materials on local history and genealogy?

Yes, we do. These materials are located in the Virginia Room. The Virginia Room is in the Main Library in Abingdon. It was dedicated in 1988 to the memory of Ruth Cox Allen who served as a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 1978 to 1986. It houses a collection of local, regional and Virginia history and genealogy resources.

Virginia Room - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Virginia Room?

• A collection of books, periodicals, pamphlets, and vertical files about Washington County, Virginia and surrounding counties plus materials related to the early and Civil War history of Virginia
• Online index to resources at the Historical Society of  Washington County, Virginia, located in Washington County Courthouse, corner of Court and Main Streets in Abingdon 
• Family genealogies, primarily published books 

The Virginia Room also houses three special collections:

• Davenport Collection. Materials donated and purchased through an endowment fund in memory of Peter J. and Mary Elizabeth Bryan Davenport. (Local, Regional, Civil War and Virginia History)
• L. C. Angle Collection. Materials donated in honor of L.C. Angle. (Civil War History) 

Do you have court records?

• There are no primary source court records in the Virginia Room; however, abstracts of court records are available in some local history books.

Can I find my family if they came to Washington County in the last century?

Most of the genealogy resources cover the 1700s  and 1800s . However, there are cemetery records, county centennial histories, and census to 1920 on CD ROM available.  Other public records may be requested from the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics (request form available) or at the Washington County Courthouse.

Do you have Federal Census records?

The Federal Census records for Washington County, Virginia, are available on CD ROM for 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920. The Federal Census records for 1890 were destroyed and are not available.

Are there computers in the Virginia Room for genealogy research?

Yes, there is a public access computer station in the Virginia Room. It is used to access Federal Census Records on CD ROM, for family research on the Internet, to import family records from the Internet and to create family history records using Family Treemaker.

Can I check out materials from the Virginia Room?

• Some books circulate. Most of the early history, and  genealogy books are for reference and must be used in the Virginia Room. Others, including Virginia history, Civil War history, biographies and fiction by Virginia writers, do circulate.

Are there other places I can go for local and Virginia history?

• The reference librarian can assist you in locating resources that may be available through interlibrary loan, or through the Library of Virginia. The online public access catalog (OPAC) for the Library of Virginia can be searched on the Internet http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/.  The Library of Virginia website also features special exhibits which may include historical photographs, letters, etc. Many historical documents have been scanned and are accessible online. There are several genealogy links accessible on the Internet; some of these sites are linked on the homepage of the genealogy computer in the Virginia Room.
• The Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, maintains a local history and genealogy library in the Washington County Courthouse, located at the corner of Court and Main Streets in Abingdon. The Historical Society’s address is : P.O. Box 484, Abingdon, VA 24212-0484. Hours are generally from 10-4, Monday through Friday.

Are there special hours for the Virginia Room?

• No, the Virginia Room is open during regular library hours.

How much assistance can I expect from the library staff?

• Our staff will help you locate materials that are in our collections or refer you to other libraries and sources. We are not able to do genealogy research for you.