Research Resources
I hope you find these resources helpful in your search for Fairfax County ancestors. If you have a resource you consider valuable, please let me know.
Fairfax County Record Start Dates
- Land records: begin in 1742
- Probate records: begin in 1742
- Court records: begin in 1749 (Court Order and Minute Books prior to 1749 are missing)
- Chancery records: available from the early 1800s
- Marriage records: begin in 1853
- Birth & death records: 1853-1897 and 1912-1917 (some years missing)
Note: Some deed books, early court order books, and early chancery records were destroyed during the Civil War.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Archives
Most historical records (generally excluding the last 50-75 years) are maintained by the Archives at the Fairfax County Judicial Center.
- Location: Fairfax County Circuit Court Archives, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Phone: (703) 246-4168
- Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday (except holidays)
- Research: No restrictions for in-person research
- Indexes: Many records are indexed on 3x5 cards
- Written queries: Accepted; copies are typically 50 cents per page
Research Facilities
Virginia Room - Fairfax City Regional Library
- Location: 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Phone: (703) 246-2123
- Typical hours: Mon-Thu 10-9; Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-6; closed holidays
The Virginia Room is a major hub for Fairfax research, including cemetery material, microfilm, census, newspapers, and other local collections.
Lloyd House - Alexandria Library Local History/Special Collections
- Location: 220 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
- Phone: (703) 838-4577
- Typical hours: Mon-Sat 9-5; closed holidays
Includes photographs, original sources, and microfilm (including historic Alexandria Gazette issues), which can be especially helpful for those near Alexandria and the Potomac River corridor.
Fairfax County Genealogical Society
Meeting, membership, and publication details change over time. If you notice an outdated detail, email me and I'll update it.