Free Online Virginia Criminal Records

Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.

Types of Records

• Criminal court proceedings
• Police reports
• Prison and jail admission registers
• Arrest records
• Mug books
• Pardon and discharge information
• Hospital record books
• Workhouse records

Types of Information

• Name
• Age
• Birth date
• Height
• Weight
• Complexion
• Eye color
• Hair color
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Education
• Habits (alcohol use)
• Relations (parents living)
• Date incarcerated
• Court where charged
• Recommitments
• How and when discharged

Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage, please make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.

Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:

(Updated March 2023)

Virginia Criminal Records

United States

• Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
• Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
• Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages

Virginia

• Accomack County, Criminal common law order Book, v. 1, 1974-1978
• Alexandria County, Minute Book, 1838-1846
• Alexandria County, Trial Dockets, 1802-1822
• Alexandria, Records of trials and examinations of criminals, Court of Oyer and Terminer, 1794-1800
• Amherst County, Central Virginia Training Center Cemetery
• Augusta County, 1890 Veterans Census including County Jail and Western Lunatic Asylum
• Early Grayson County Criminals
• Fairfax County, Stoney Lonesome Prison Cemetery
• Floyd County, Persons Convicted of Felony and Other Infamous Offenses 1871 – 1943
• Giles County, Criminal order Book, v. 10, 1972-1976
• Greene County Convict Camp, Lines 18 – 100, 1930 Index of Prisoners
• Greensville County, Greensville Prison Cemetery
• Henrico County, 1850 Census of the Virginia Penitentiary
• Henrico County,, Court Records, 1677-1739
• Henry County, Order and minute Books, 1777-1904; general Indexes, 1777-1904
• Isle of Wight, Court Records, Register of Convicts, 1773-1909
• Lancaster County, Miscellaneous Bonds, 1721, 1740-1804
• Prince Edward County, Order Books, 1789-1831
• Richmond County, Fines, examination of criminals, tryalls of slaves, from March 1710 to 1754
• Richmond, 1850 Census of the Virginia Penitentiary
• Rockingham County, Commonwealth order Books, 1972-1976
• Surry County, Criminal Proceedings against free persons, slaves, etc., 1742-1822
• Virginia Executions
• Virginia, Surry County, Court Records, 1671-1942
• Virginia, Virginia State Road Camp 1930 Census
• Wise County, Prisoners from the 1880 Census
• Wise County, Prisoners from the 1900  Census
• Wise County, Prisoners from the 1920 Census
• Wythe County, Court Records, 1832-1850: orders and pleas