Getting the Most from Court Records: Order Books, Minute Books & Associated Loose Papers, with Victor Dunn

Was your ancestor illegitimate, a "gentleman justice" of the court, a horse thief, or an insolvent debtor? Court records may provide answers and connect generations. In this lecture, genealogist and expert researcher Victor Dunn examines the important genealogical and biographical information found in county court records, information which is often not found in other court documents such as probate and land documents.  He focuses on locating and accessing records along with search strategies.  Chancery, common law and criminal records are discussed along with the various types of information that may be found in often overlooked loose papers.

Victor S. “Vic” Dunn, CG, is a professional researcher specializing in Virginia research, with an emphasis on brick-wall problem resolution and lineage society applications. He has served as coordinator of the Virginia research tract for the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research and as a lecturer at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and other national platforms. He is a contributor to major genealogical publications including feature articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, The Genealogist, BCG OnBoard, and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. A past recipient of the Mosher Award for Colonial Virginia Research, he serves as the official genealogist of the Order of First Families of Virginia. He is a member of the Jamestowne Society and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. He is a past trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, past treasurer of the National Genealogical Society and past governor of the Virginia Genealogical Society.