The Virginia Chancery Records Index

'The Chancery Records Index (CRI) is a result of archival processing and indexing projects overseen by the Library of Virginia (LVA) and funded, in part, by the Virginia Circuit Court Records Preservation Program (CCRP). Each of Virginia's circuit courts created chancery records that contain considerable historical and genealogical information. Because the records rely so heavily on testimony from witnesses, they offer a unique glimpse into the lives of Virginians from the early 18th century through the First World War.

The original court papers are flat-filed, indexed, and conserved using a set of standards developed by the LVA. Since the tri-folded records are often in poor condition, special attention is paid to preparing them for digital reformatting. The valuable original records are then retired to secure storage.

The reformatted images—whether digital scans or microfilm—can be viewed at the Library of Virginia, at the circuit court clerk's office, or, in the case of digital images, from any internet connected computer. 

There are over 220,000 cases indexed in the database and nearly 5.6 million images of chancery causes available online.'


The Chancery Records Index search page allows for several different search methods.  the site provides a variety of search fields to make your search as broad or narrow as you desire.

Using the Chancery Records Index Search page I was able to quickly locate and view the complete 182 pg court record regarding the Estate of our ancestor Reuben Nance.  A wonderful treasure indeed!

http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=089-1840-005#img