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Russell County, Virginia

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About the Virginia GenWeb Project

In March and April, 1996, a group of genealogists organized the Kentucky Comprehensive Genealogy Database. The idea was to provide a single entry point for all counties in Kentucky, where collected databases would be stored. In addition, the databases would be indexed and cross-linked, so that even if an individual were found in more than one county, they could be located in the index.

At the same time, volunteers were found who were willing to coordinate the collection of databases and generally oversee the contents of the web page. The project was so successful, it was expanded, and we now have the USGenWeb. Volunteers are being recruited for all the states. Questions about the Virginia project can be directed to the state coordinator Freddie Spradlin. Your coordinator for Russell County is Michael A. Dye.



About Russell County

Russell County is located in the far southwestern part of Virginia. In 1745 the area now contained in Russell County was formed as a part of Augusta County. Between the years 1769 and 1785 it was contained in Botetourt, Fincastle and Washington Counties. Russell County was formed in 1786 from Washington County.

The area which became Russell County contained about 3000 square miles or 1.9 million acres. The boundary lines extended northward from Clinch Mountain to Cumberland Gap on the Kentucky border and eastward to a point near present Bluefield, Virginia. In 1790, the population of the county was 3,338, which included 190 slaves.

Other counties were then formed from Russell County. In 1793 Lee County was formed. In 1799, Tazewell County. In 1815 Scott County was formed from a portion of Russell and Lee Counties. In 1855 Wise County was formed and in 1858 Buchanan County was formed. In 1880, Dickenson County was formed from portions of Buchanan, Russell and Wise Counties.

By 1858, Russell County had been reduced to an area of 483 square miles or 309,120 acres. The crest of Clinch Mountain is currently the southern border. Sandy Ridge is the northern. Clinch River meanders down near the center of the county from Mill Creek at the Tazewell County line to St. Paul in Wise County. The county seat is in Lebanon.

Petition to Form Russell County - Dec 1785 (submitted by Greg Lepore)
First Court of Russell County - May 9, 1786 (submitted by Michael Dye)
First Militia Roster of the Clinch River Area of Russell County (by Emory L. Hamilton)
Frontier Forts of Southwest Virginia (by Emory L. Hamilton)
Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers of Soutwest Virginia, 1773-1794 (by Emory L. Hamilton)
County Boundary Changes in Virginia & Southwest Virginia
Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries Has interective maps that allow you to see where the county boundaries were at any given time
Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia



See Whats New on the Russell Co. VAGenWeb

Search the Russell Co. VAGenWeb

Russell County Databases

Research Aids

Russell County Queries
Southwest Virginia Surname Researchers
The Russell County Migrations Project
Russell County Photo Gallery
Russell County Cemeteries
Russell County Vital Records
Russell County Probate Records
Russell County Deeds
Russell County Land Grants & Surveys
Russell County Court Records
Russell County Census and Tax Records
Note: Other Counties Census Records Now Also Being Included
Census Finder - Free Census Records Online
Russell County Documents
Russell County Church Records
Russell County Biographies
VAGenWeb Archives: Russell County
Russell County Virginia Families
Russell County Pedigree Charts
Russell County Lookups
Publications for Sale
Resources Available Through a Local LDS FHC
The Gordon Aronhime Papers - Southwest Virginia
The Lebanon News Check the obits for deaths of local residents
Richlands/Clinch Valley News & Press Check the obits for deaths of local residents
The Bluefield Daily Telegraph Check the obits for deaths throughout sw Va.
Bristol Herald Courier Their obits cover southwest Va. also.

Military

If you are researching the Civil War, you should visit Greg Lepore's Russell County Civil War Website.


Revolutionary War Soldiers & Pensioners (compiled by Becky Falin & Michael Dye)
Soldiers at the Battle of Point Pleasant
War of 1812 Records
Virginia Confederate Rosters (Searchable Database)
Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans & Widows: Russell Co. VA (Contains scanned images of actual documents)
Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans & Widows (Searchable Database)
Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts (Searchable Database)
1888 Russell County Civil War Pension Applications (compiled by Greg Lepore)
1900 Russell County Civil War Pension Applications (compiled by Greg Lepore)
1909 Virginia Civil War Pension List (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
The 7th Battalion Confederate Cavalry (Compiled by Jeff Weaver)
The 10th Kentucky Cavalry - Roster
The 22nd Virginia Cavalry (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
A Brief History of the 37th Virginia Infantry (By R. K. Denton, Jr.)
The 45th Virginia Infantry (compiled by Richard R. Dietz)
The 48th Virginia Infantry (maintained by Vernard Bond)
The 51st Virginia Infantry
Another 51st Virginia Infantry Site
The 63rd Virginia Infantry (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
The 64th Virginia Infantry (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
Virginia State Rangers and Virginia State Line (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
Russell County Militia (compiled by Jeff Weaver)
Mountain Warfare in Ea.KY, W.VA, SW.VA and Ea.TN 1861 - 1865
Point Lookout POW Descendants Organization Many Russell Countians were held here
Confederate Regimental History Links A very good site, with many links
Library of Virginia Digital Library Program - Military History
U.S. Internet Genealogical Society Military Collection


Russell County Online Resources


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