The county Birth Registers altogether range from 1853 to 1885, and record the birth of every individual in the greater Roanoke area during this time frame, whether white, enslaved African American, or free African American. Typically, less information for enslaved people was recorded. Only first names were recorded and place of birth was recorded with much less specificity. Moreover, the birth registers had a category for “Father’s Name or Owner if Enslaved,” meaning in the case of most enslaved people, the enslaver’s information would be given instead of the child’s father. Nonetheless these records are an important source for connecting enslaved children to their mothers, and providing information about their births that is otherwise not found in other records.
This girl's mother was hired out to C. S. Cocke. Though the record says that Cocke "hires" the mother which means that she was hired by him and gave birth to this boy while she was hired by Cocke.
This girl's mother was hired out to J. C. Huff. Though the record says that Read "hires" the mother, that means that she was hired by him and gave birth to this girl while she was hired by Huff.
This girl's mother was hired out to Landon Rives. Though the record says that Rives "heirs" the mother, she was likely hired by him and gave birth to this boy while she was hired by Rives.