Collections : [Library of Virginia]

York County (Va.) Wills, 1719-1885, record the deceased's plan for how his or her estate was to be divided among his or her heirs following his or her death. Information commonly recorded in wills include the name of the deceased, also referred as the testator; names of heirs; a listing of real and personal property (including slaves) and how it was to be divided among the heirs; names of individuals who were to be the will's executors; the date will was written; and the date will was recorded at the court house.

York County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1776-1868, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.

York County (Va.) Criminal Causes, 1778-1859 are criminal court cases and consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. These offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander. Criminal offenders and victims who appear in cases prior to the abolition of slavery in Virginia in 1865 included both free and enslaved persons.

York County (Va.) Deeds, 1761-1876 (bulk 1820-1849) consist of deeds of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, slaves in Virginia were considered personal property and consequently were not usually sold by deed. However, they were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.

York County (Va.) Military and Pension Records, 1803, consists of a list of military pensioners living in the locality.

The York County (Va.) Overseers of the Poor Minutes is one volume dated 1857-1870. The minutes give the names of the Overseers and business of the Board of Overseers. The minutes give the accounts of the monies spent by the Board to purchase goods and services, animals, and other items for the Poor Asylum and the Poor Farm. It gives the salary of the staff of the Poor Asylum in 1860 and the payments to other people providing services to the Poor Asylum and Poor Farm. It also list the names of deceased persons for whom a coffin was purchased.

York County (Va.) Records, 1722-1908, consist of the following series: Bonds/Commissions/Oaths, County Administrative Records (including Board of Supervisors, Overseer of the Poor and Treasurer's Records), Court Records, Election Records, Fiduciary Records, Land Records, Marriage Records, Military and Pension Records, Miscellaneous Records, Public Buildings and Grounds, Road and Bridge Records, School Records, Tax and Fiscal Records and Wills.