Looking in the Shenandoah Valley for your family roots?

The Heritage Center maintains an extensive genealogy library with a host of research aids, including local records (some online), a host of searchable databases, a multitude of published books on local topics, histories of many local families and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The collection reflects the rich heritage of the Shenandoah Valley with particular emphasis on the area that is today Rockingham County. Use of the library is free to members of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society and is available to the public for a fee of $5 per person, per day. A copy machine on premises is available for use at 30 cents per copy. (15 cents for members.)

The fee of $5.00 for nonmembers buys one-day admission to all exhibits on display, use of the library and the electric map.

For hours of operation and general information, see our facilities page.

Research Service

The researchers at the Heritage Center's genealogy library will research the records of Rockingham County, Virginia, Court House as well as the holdings of the Heritage Center's Genealogy Library. See Research Service for more information on this valuable service.

What resources will I find at the library?

The collection reflects the rich heritage of the Shenandoah Valley with particular emphasis on the area that is today Rockingham County, which was created in 1778 from Augusta County. A simplified index and list of available research aides is provided on this site to help you determine if the information you seek can be found at our facility. Also, keep in mind that the Library staff is quite knowledgeable about what records may be found at other genealogical repositories within the county.

Keep in mind the following information about Rockingham County, Virginia:

• Rockingham County, Virginia was formed in 1778; before that it was a part of Augusta County.
• Birth and Death Records are available for the years 1862-1894. No birth or death records are available prior to 1862 and from 1862-1894 registry was voluntary, so information is not complete.

  For information after 1894 you will need to write to the following address:

  Bureau of Vital Statistics
  109 Governor Street
  Richmond, Virginia 23219

• Deeds begin in 1778. Records were burned in 1787 and again in 1864 and are incomplete.
• Marriage records begin in 1778. Marriage records were not burned.
• The records of wills begin in 1864. Most early wills were destroyed by fire. Any information saved has been re-recorded.