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Library of Congress Research Guides

U.S. Virgin Islands: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide

Courthouse Records

County level research is essential in the pursuit of family and local history. The list below highlights the most common county courthouse records used by genealogists, but there are many more record sets available. Use the guides below and explore the specific resources for the counties of interest to assure that you locate all pertinent documents.

When requesting courthouse records, inquire about both docket books and paper files. Often both types of material exist for each record. While the two formats may merely repeat the data, one may be easier to read than the other. And, in many cases, there are further details, unique notations, over-sized pages such as maps, and so on, that are filed in only the docket book or in only the paper file. Seeing both will provide a more complete review of the record.

Timeline for County Courthouse Records

Birth Records
Civil Lawsuits
  • Superior Court of the Virgin Islands
Coroner Inquests
  • Generally maintained by: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Note: If the cause of death is suspicious or unknown, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for conducting an inquest.
Court System
  • Consult the Danish National Archives

Note: The U. S. Virgin Islands court system is called the General Court of Justice and consists of three levels: appellate, superior court, and district court.
Death Records
Deeds
  • Maintained by: Recorder of Deeds Office - United States Virgin Islands
Divorce Records
Marriage Records
Naturalizations
  • See the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. One may also want to consult the Danish National Archives. The National Archives and Records Administration should also be considered.
  • To access Naturalization Records after September 1906, use the Genealogy Program provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Taxes
  • See the Office of Tax Collector.
  • National Archives and Records Administration: Tax lists for St. Thomas, 1823-54, and St. Croix, 1743-1850.
Will & Probate
  • See the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. One may also want to consult the Danish National Archives. The National Archives and Records Administration should also be considered.

Online Resources for Courthouse Records

The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

Using Ancestry Library Edition for United States Virgin Islands

Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as U.S. Virgin Islands records External.

Using FamilySearch for United States Virgin Islands

FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The U.S. Virgin Islands Wiki External includes links to each district.

FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.

Published Courthouse Records

Below are selected print publications for statewide courthouse records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records.

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