I am hoping one the very knowledgable people on this list can clarify  
the status of marriages being recorded in the years 1849-1853.  The  
LVA Research Report #26 does not address this question.

The use of marriage bonds was discontinued in 1849.  Statewide  
registration of vital statistics, including marriages, did not  
commence until 1853.  What became of intervening years?  Were  
marriages simply not recorded during this time?  The late Preston  
Haynie of Northumberland County once told me that such was the case.   
In Lancaster County, it IS the case.

I'd like a more detailed understanding of this topic, and I have no  
doubt that this list is the place to get it.

Thanks in advance,
Craig M. Kilby
Lancaster, VA

P.S.  My experience has been that the birth and death records between  
1853 and 1918, when these events were taken over by the state, are  
sketchy at best due mainly to non-compliance.

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