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 anyway—is an essential research skill.
Learn about archival treasurers at the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center. in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The center preserves more than 120,000 historical documents and photographs dating back to the early 1700s and covering the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. An extensive online index to the collections is available to help researchers discover what may be waiting for them.
Looking for ways to spark an interest in family history for younger generations? Dale and Nancy Spaulding introduce a creative approach with their books designed to help children explore genealogy through storytelling and curiosity. Their book, Curious Cathy’s Quirky Questions, encourages kids to ask questions about their families, while the companion journal provides guided prompts for recording stories, photos, and discoveries alongside parents or grandparents.
Also featured are the resources of the Stewart Bell, Jr. Archives, a rich local history and genealogy center documenting the Lower Shenandoah Valley from 1732 to the present. Researchers will find a wide range of published and unpublished materials with particular emphasis on the City of Winchester, Frederick County, and the surrounding region.
In addition to these feature articles, this issue includes upcoming events, the President’s message, book reviews, information about VGS awards and grant programs, and the popular “Glad You Asked That” column.
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