During a panel discussion titled Facing Digitization Issues, Digital Initiatives & Web Services Manager Kathy Jordan was showing off the LVA website and highlighting various digital collections. When she mentioned the Chancery Records Index, “the room broke out into loud, sustained applause,” according to Local Records Services Director Carl Childs. “Needless to say, [it was] a good feeling and testament to our good work and how much it is appreciated.”

In addition to historical and genealogical information, chancery court records offer a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of Virginians from the early 18th century on because the records rely so heavily on testimony from witnesses. The CRI is the result of a sustained effort to process, preserve, microfilm and digitize those records to make them available to the public. Access the CRI at http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/.

It is always nice to feel appreciated but it is especially nice to know that local historical society members – the people who are often on the front lines of preserving and celebrating Virginia’s local history – recognize the LVA’s work.

An estimated 115 people representing 58 local historical societies from around Virginia attended the workshop. It was made possible by a generous State and National Archival Partnership (SNAP) grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Partners in the project include the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM), the Henrico County Historical Society, and the Goochland County Historical Society, along with the Library of Virginia Foundation and the Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB).

–Dale Dulaney, LVA Local Records Archival Assistant