Amherst County was formed from Albemarle County "and certain islands in the Fluvanna River," in 1761; however, no marriage records have been found of an earlier date than 1763. The abstracts are primarily of marriage bonds and ministers" returns, with approximately 6,000 individuals listed. There are individual entries for each marriage, the names of bride and groom, the names of parents, sureties, and ministers. The book is alphabetical by groom surname, with an index for the women.