Teresa A Kelley

VGS March 2026 Newsletter Now Available: Discover new insights, resources, and inspiration in the latest issue of the newsletter.

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Featured Articles Proving Marriages Without Marriage Records: Legal Enforcement, Dissenting Churches, and Virginia’s Marriage Gap, by Susan Lynch Aumaier. Marriage records are among the most sought-after documents in genealogical research, yet in many regions they never existed, were never recorded, or did not survive. Understanding why marriages disappear from the record—and how to prove them … Read more

Use of the Website Search Feature

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VGS recently implemented a new search feature that allows you to search across all Newsletter and Magazine PDF files. The search results return excerpts from individual issues along with links to the issue where the information appears. Because these files are members-only, the search program currently does not recognize when a user is logged in. … Read more

Working Towards Reasonably Exhaustive Research Using the Archival Resources of the Virginias (ARVAS) Website

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By Kelley Conner Lear, CG® When researching in Virginia or West Virginia, one of the biggest challenges can be determining which sources and collections to prioritize after you’ve completed an initial search and are ready to dig deeper. Thousands of diaries, family papers, local organization records, and loose documents are often scattered across countless institutions. … Read more

A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records is Here!

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Dear Members and Friends of VGS, Our VGS Virtual Fall Conference is almost here—this Friday and Saturday, October 3–4. We have an exciting lineup of sessions designed to help you tackle tough research problems and open new doors in your family history. Friday brings DNA strategies for uncovering maternal surnames, treasures hidden in older Southern … Read more