Virginia military records from the Revolution and War of 1812 can help you trace an early military ancestor. Request a free genealogy lookup in this index using the form below. It brings together references from eleven books, giving you leads to follow in published sources and original records.
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Using Virginia Military Records
The indexed books draw on sources such as service records, petitions, muster rolls, pension applications, and bounty land papers. They include Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh’s Revolutionary War Records: Virginia. The collection also includes references to Virginia soldiers and sailors who received land warrants in what is now Kentucky.
An index helps you locate an entry; it does not replace the source behind it. Therefore, keep any book title and page reference with the result. Details vary from entry to entry, so avoid assuming that a match will include family relationships or a complete service history.
Separate the Two Service Periods
Virginia Revolutionary War service records concern a different generation from most Virginia War of 1812 service records. Start with your ancestor’s estimated age and home county. Then compare names, units, and service dates with the family details you already have.
Virginia militia rosters and payrolls may offer clues about a person’s unit or time in service. However, a familiar surname or nearby residence is not enough to establish identity. Look for other evidence before joining an indexed soldier to your family tree.
Follow a Match to Its Source
Virginia bounty land and land warrant records can provide another path for research. A warrant concerns a claim or entitlement to land, while later land records can show what happened next. Also check pension files, deeds, probate papers, and local histories when they fit the person and period.
Finally, write down both the evidence and any uncertainty. If two records disagree, keep the differences in your notes until you can explain them. If no entry appears, try another spelling or source. An index search alone cannot prove that an ancestor did or did not serve.
Learn More
Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors: Learn how to begin a search for early military service.
Military Records for Tracing Ancestors: Compare service, pension, and family clues.
Free Military Record Lookups: Explore related indexes for other states and service periods.