1773 Marriage Record for Danl. Histand & Christina Nave

Danl. Histand and Christina Nave
September 28, 1773 Marriage Record
Shenandoah (Dunmore) County, Virginia

**Marriage Records: Marriage Bonds & Minister Returns**
In studying marriage records in colonial and early post-colonial America, it is important to understand the difference between these two types of marriage records: Marriage Bond: In colonial and early post-colonial years, a marriage bond was a sum of money promised, usually by the parents or a close relative of a young couple, to the governor of the state. This was asked to ensure that there was no reason, moral or legal, for the couple not to marry and that they would not become charity cases. Money did not actually change hands, but could be called for if the marriage did not fulfill the requirements. Minister Returns: Ministers were required (after 1780 in VA) to turn in, to local officials, notations which stated on which date he married a couple. These usually just jotted down on a piece or scrap of paper and contained very little information, other than the name of the minister, bride, groom, and the date of the marriage.

Where is the Copy of Danl.'s and Christina's Original Marriage Record?

There are two secondary source books that contain the Danl. Histand and Christina Nave marriage information:

Shenandoah County, Virginia Marriage Bonds - 1772-1850, compiled by Bernice M. Ashby (Berryville, VA: Virginia Book Company, 1967)
Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds - 1772-1850, compiled by John Vogt & T. William Kethley, Jr. (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1984)

But where is the original or a copy of the original marriage record? And was it a marriage bond or a minister return?

As far as we know, there are five existing Virginia microfilm resources for marriage records that include, or might include (as per the title of the microfilm), 1773 records.

Library of Virginia microfilm reel #106: Shenandoah County Minister Returns, 1772-1877)
Library of Virginia microfilm reel #107: Shenandoah County Minister Returns, 1772-1877)
Library of Virginia microfilm reel #108: Shenandoah County Minister Returns, 1772-1877) [very short reel]

Note that the above three reels contain minister returns, and not marriage bonds. They are very loosely organized photos of original minister returns. Although it is possible that one of these reels may contain a copy of the original of Danl. and Christina's marriage record, Wayne Haston was not able to locate a copy of the original as he went through these reels, frame by frame, in September of 2004.

Library of Virginia microfilm reel #68: Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds, 1772-1788)

According to this reel's title, it contains marriage bonds. The records are photographed copies of the original documents. In a frame by frame browsing of this reel (full reel: October 2003 & first half of reel in September 2004), Wayne Haston was not able to locate a copy of Danl.'s and Christina's original marriage record.

Library of Virginia microfilm reel #64: Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds, 1772-1853)

This reel contains typed (not copies of original) marriage records that were "copied and indexed" in 1939 by Catherine Spiker Kibler. There are supposed to be 6,892 entries on this reel. The marriage record at the top of this page was copied from this reel #64.

It is likely that both Asbhy and Vogt & Kethley got their information from this typed and indexed microfilm (page vii of Vogt & Kethley points to this reel as their source).

Although, as per page vii of Vogt & Kethley, Danl.'s and Christina's record was in the category of a marriage bond, the brevity of information included appears to match that of a minister return or an abstract of a marriage bond.

If the Danl. & Christina marriage information that appears in Kibler's reel #64 marriage record index happens to be only an abstract from a marriage bond, then the original record very possibly could contain more information, especially the name of the bondsman.

The Key Question

If a copy of the original Histand-Nave marriage record does not appear on Library of Virginia microfilm reels #68, 106-108, and...

If these are the only sources for copies of original VA marriage documents for the year 1773, then...

Where did Catherine Spiker Kibler get the information for her 1939 index (now recorded on reel #64)? And...

Where is the original and/or copy of the original today?

Note: It is possible that the copy of the original does exist on one of these reels, but that it has been overlooked when these reels were browsed.

If you know of the source of a copy of the original record, please contact Wayne Haston.

-----Original Message-----
From: wayneh37@aol.com [mailto:wayneh37@aol.com]
Sent: Sun 9/26/2004 9:48 AM
To: Archives Desk
Subject: 1773 marriage records

Mr. Wayne Haston
702 Winebary Circle
Lewisberry, PA 17339
United States

There is a Sept. 28, 1773 marriage record for Danl. Histand & Christina
Nave that is recorded in the Vogt & Kethley book and in the Ashby book of
early VA marriage records, as well as LVA microfilm reel #64 (the 1939
typed index of marriage records).

However, I just spent several days at LVA trying to find a copy of the
original record on the microfilms of marriage bonds and minister returns
for the era that should include 1773.

I have written up my search information on this page of my website:
http://www.danielhaston.com/daniel/daniel-christina-marriage.htm

Could you please read this information and tell me where I might find the
copy of the original, which certainly existed in 1939 when the typed index
was created.

Thank you.
Wayne Haston

-------------------

September 29, 2004

Dear Mr. Haston,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the archival holdings of the Library of Virginia. After reading through your email and website, I checked through the sources you mentioned: the Vogt & Kethley book, the Ashby book, and Shenandoah County reel # 64. I too was unable to locate a marriage bond other than the typed one on reel #64. However, a record may exist. The original marriage bonds for Shenandoah County are located at the State Records Center. This is our off-site storage center here in Richmond. It is not possible for us to do the extended research needed to search through these records. We suggest that you either visit the State Records Center or employ a professional researcher. A link to a list of professional researchers who specialize in Virginia history and who are familiar with our collections is provided below. We do not make referrals; all researchers listed establish their own rates and work independently of the Library of Virginia.

http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwedo/ProResearchers.pdf

The Records Center is only open on Thursdays from 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm so if you are able to visit the facility please plan to come on a Thursday. The address is 1997 Charles City Road. Also, if you plan to visit, please notify a member of the staff so they can be prepared for your arrival. Below is a citation to the records you would need to search through. Please bring these citations with you if you visit the Records Center.

Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Consents, 1772-1786, Box 1, Barcode: 1048377, Location: 11/D/07/06/01
Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Minister's Returns, 1772-1877 (Broken Series), Box 53, Barcode: 1048430, Location: 11/D/07/07/02
Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Minister's Returns, 1772-1877 (Broken Series), Box 54, Barcode: 1048429, Location: 11/D/07/07/02

If you have any questions or I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Beth Yates
Research Archivist

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-----Original Message-----
From: WayneH37@aol.com [mailto:WayneH37@aol.com]
Sent: Wed 9/29/2004 6:08 PM
To: Archives Desk
Subject: Re: 1773 marriage records

Beth...

In finding this document in the archives, will it be a piece by piece search? Or, are the documents in some kind of predictable order?

If this document can be found, will photocopying be allowed OR would I be allowed to snap a digital photo of it?

Wayne Haston

----------------

Mr. Haston,

It is difficult to tell what order or condition these records are in without looking at them. I would assume, based on other counties, that these are loose records which are in chronological order. You will be able to make a copy of the record as long as it is not in poor condition or bound. You can use a digital camera (no flash) for archival materials but it has to first be approved by an archivist.

If you use a digital camera: There is a photography form that you will need to fill out. Here is a link to that form:

http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whoweare/visit/policies/Reprorequest.pdf

If you do not plan to come to The Library of Virginia before visiting the State Records Center, you will need to print and mail this form to the library for approval prior to your visit. It should be mailed to:

Ginny Dunn, Archival Services

The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23294

Also, please email Ginny (vdunn@lva.lib.va.us) and let her know when you are planning to visit the Records Center so she can alert staff of your visit and transfer your photography form to the records center.

However, if you plan to visit and will not be using a digital camera, simply notify any member of the staff of the date of your visit so they can be prepared for your arrival. If you have any questions or I can be of further assistance, please contact me again.

Beth Yates
Research Archivist

**Correspondence from Joe Baker - October 2004**
There is another list of Shenandoah County Marriages beginning on page 1742 of "A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia" by John W. Wayland. Wayland states it is "A list of early marriages in Shenandoah County, Va., from the court records." I did not see any reference to the marriage of Danl. Histand & Christina Nave on the list. Also during the transition period of the formation of Shenandoah Co. and establishment of county government, perhaps some of the marriages were recorded in Frederick Co. On May 15, 1772, the act creating Dunmore/Shenandoah Co. became effective. It would have taken some time for the Shenandoah Co. government to function smoothly and for the citizens to be come acclimated to the change. Just a thought. Joe Baker (Jwbake@aol.com) Many years ago I examined the actual marriage bonds at the old Shenandoah County Courthouse at Woodstock. As I recall, they were loose papers in some sort of packets according to year. These bonds were transferred to the Library of Virginia as I later ordered photocopies of the bonds from there. Then later they were moved off site to the State Record Center, according to the information you received from Beth Yates, Research Archivist. Apparently they now require you to go there to see/copy them. In come cases documents/affidavits accompany the bonds attesting to the age of the bride, etc., etc. These attachments often contain valuable information and was most helpful to me in one instance. I have also examined the typed information on marriages at the new Shenandoah County Courthouse. Although I cannot confirm this, I believe it may be identical to the typed information by Catharine Spiker Kibler on Reel 64. The data in Ashby and Vogt & Kethley are so similar that I suspect they used the same source, probably reel 64. For instance, both have the name of one of my ancestors, Daniel Baker, as O'Neil Baker. As I recall, it is also O'Neil in the typed records at the Shenandoah County Courthouse. Some years ago I ordered a photocopy of the actual bond from the Library of Virginia and it is Daniel as plain as day. -Joe Baker (Jwbake@aol.com) In a message dated 10/7/2004 Wayne Haston wrote: Did you look specifically for the Danl. Histand - Christina Nave records when you were there, many years ago? Wayne, No, unfortunately I did not. I was just beginning my research at that time and was only checking on direct ancestors. Plus my time was limited. -Joe Baker (Jwbake@aol.com)

October 25, 2007 Research at the State Records Center of the Library of Virginia

Following the instructions given in the September 2004 correspondence with the Research Archivist at the Library of Virginia, Wayne and Sharon Haston visited the State Records Center of the Library of Virginia on the morning of October 25, 2007.

Wayne and Sharon searched all of the pre-1800 records in the following files (and some of the more pertinent files were double-searched):

Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Consents, 1772-1786, Box 1, Barcode: 1048377, Location: 11/D/07/06/01
Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Minister's Returns, 1772-1877 (Broken Series), Box 53, Barcode: 1048430, Location: 11/D/07/07/02
Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Minister's Returns, 1772-1877 (Broken Series), Box 54, Barcode: 1048429, Location: 11/D/07/07/02

According to the Research Archivist, if Danl. Histand and Christina Nave's marriage record existed at the Virginia State Records Center, it would be in one of these three files.

These files all contain original marriage records, many of which are more than 200 years old. Some were very brittle, faded, and difficult to read. Others were remarkably clear.

Some of the interesting things that we did find were these:

On January 19, 1778, John Hastant (signed with mark) was a bondsman for Nathaniel Stewart and Elizabeth Hutchinson (Box 1, Barcode 1048377, 1778 folder).
On June 28, 1785, Benjamin Rufner was married to Elizabeth Hastan by John Countz (Box 54, Barcode: 1048429, Bundle 9).
On March 8 (no year given), John Heston was married to Mary Assamos (spelling?) by John Koonts (Box 54, Barcode 1048429, Bundle 9).
On January 4 (no year given), Christina Petler was married to Elizabeth Heston by John Koonts (Box 54, Barcode 1048429, Bundle 9).
On June 8, 1787, Abraham Heaston was married to Magdalene Strickler by John Koontz (Box 54, Barcode 1048429, Bundle 9).
On August 22, 1790, Peter Heastent was married to Barbara Huffman by John Koonts (Box 53, Barcode 1048430, Bundle ?).
On March 25, 1794, John Heaston was married to Barbara Strickler by John Koons (Box 53, Barcode 1048430, Bundle 3).

No original September 28, 1773 marriage record for
Danl. Histand and Christina Nave was found!

**Magdalene Histand and Andrew Gimling Marriage**
We also did not find a December 5, 1773 marriage record for Magdalene Histand to Andrew Gimling (or "Kemling") even though Magdalene and Andrew were supposedly married at that time. Source: Pages 131 and 307 of Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds, 1772-1850 by John Vogt & T. William Kethley, Jr. (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1984).

Conclusions:

The original (September 28, 1773) marriage record for Danl. Histand and Christina Nave did exist in the Shenandoah County, VA courthouse when, in 1939, Catherine Spiker Kibler transcribed the original files into the format recorded on microfilm reel # 64.
Sometime in about 1950 (as per a records supervisor at the State Records Center of Virginia) the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) went to the courthouses in Virginia to record original records on microfilm. As per the same supervisor, it was at that time that the Shenandoah microfilms were created. This would include (presumably) Shenandoah County marriage record microfilms 68, 106, 107, and 108. It is important to know that the Danl. Histand and Christina Nave marriage record (that is, a copy of the original record) does not appear on either of those microfilms.
Thus, it is likely that something happened to the Danl. Histand and Christina Nave marriage record (the original document) between 1939 (when Catherine Spiker Kibler created a typed record from the original marriage records) and about 1950 (when the Mormons created the microfilms). Possibly, it was stolen by some researcher, lost, misplaced, or accidentally destroyed.

Note: According to a supervisor at the VA State Records Center (10-25-2007) the Shenandoah County, Virginia original records were transferred to the Library of Virginia (of which the State Records Center is a part) sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Thus, the original Danl. Histand and Christina Nave marriage document probably never made it to the Library of Virginia in Richmond, VA.

Future Research Task:

There are four marriage records that appear in the 1773 folder of this box:

Shenandoah County - Marriage Bonds and Consents, 1772-1786, Box 1, Barcode: 1048377, Location: 11/D/07/06/01

July 20, 1773 - John Schorr (or Sehorn/Seahorn) or & Elizabeth Cathay (or Curtry/Cathery)
July 20, 1773 - James Ronhers (or Cricksoll?) & Christina Court
November 17 (or 21), 1773 - James McGowan & Susannah Hroud
December 7, 1773 - William Tucker & Catherine Hazel (or Hassel)

Note: Other 1773 records may appear in either/both of other two boxes.

First: Check the Shenandoah County, VA marriage records microfilm # 64 (transcriptions by Catherine Spiker Kibler) to see if these four records appear near the Danl. Histand and Christina Nave record. If so, it would indicate that Danl. and Christina's record was with those records in 1939.

Second: Check the Shenandoah County, VA marriage records microfilms 68, 106, 107, and 108 to see if these records were captured at about the same place on one or more of the films. If so, it would indicate that they were filed close together in the Shenandoah County records.

**Magdalene Histand and Andrew Gimling Marriage**
We also did not find a December 5, 1773 marriage record for Magdalene Histand to Andrew Gimling (or "Kemling") even though Magdalene and Andrew were supposedly married at that time. Source: Pages 131 and 307 of Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds, 1772-1850 by John Vogt & T. William Kethley, Jr. (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1984).

Third: Check to see if the December 5, 1773 marriage record for Magdalene Histand to Andrew Gimling (or "Kemling") appears on Shenandoah County, VA microfilm # 64.

Fourth: Check the Shenandoah County, VA marriage records microfilms 68, 106, 107, and 108 to see if the December 5, 1773 marriage record for Magdalene Histand to Andrew Gimling (or "Kemling") appears on either of those films. If not, this may indicate that both marriage records for Magdalene Histand and for Daniel Histand were taken (stolen) by a Histand (Hiestand) family researcher.