Rockingham County, New Hampshire Genealogy

Guide to Rockingham County, New Hampshire ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

Description
Rockingham County was created on 19 March 1771 and named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been Prime Minister in 1765-1766. Its county seat is Brentwood. It is located in the south-east region of the state.

County Courthouse
Rockingham County Courthouse # 10 Rt. 125 Brentwood, NH 03833 Phone: 855-212-1234 Rockingham County Website

The clerks of the courts have divorce and court records from 1769. Town or City Clerks have birth, marriage, death and burial records. The Register of Probate has probate records from 1770. The Register of Deeds has land records from 1643.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

History Timeline

 * Rockingham County was first settled by Europeans moving north from the Plymouth Colony as early as 1623.
 * The county was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been British Prime Minister in 1765-1766.
 * The government was tightly linked to Massachusetts until 1679. The counties of New Hampshire were not introduced until 1769.

Cemeteries

 * Conway Public Library

Census Records

 * 1840 US Census records for the town of Rye are filed under the Rockingham County town of "Not Stated" on both FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. "Rye" is visible on the left margins and a cursory sample of residents is consistent with residents in the 1830 and 1850 censuses. Rye (incorporated 1785) is also absent from the lists of enumerated towns in Rockingham County in 1840.

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Court Records

 * Before 1771 for the towns of Dover (now in Stratford County, New Hampshire), Exeter, Hampton, and Portsmouth were at times under the jurisdiction of the old Norfolk County, Massachusetts. See Norfolk County, Massachusetts Court Records

Online Court Indexes and Records
 * 1648-1681 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1772-1819 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1774-1820, 1842-1853 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Directories
The FamilySearch Library has many city directories on microfilm. See the FamilySearch Catalog and look up the city or town - Directories. For example Exeter, New Hampshire city directories are available on microfilms and/or microfiche for 1872, 1908, 1911-1912, 1915-1929. Those directories also often include the names of persons living in other nearby towns in the county. Many directories are also available on the internet at www.ancestry.com. Go to Ancestry's Card Catalog, and under Search Titles, then type New Hampshire City Directories. Then you can select the city, and select the year, and see the digital images of the city directories.

Genealogies
A helpful book for early settlers from the 1600s to about 1776 is the Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire. By Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby, and Walter Goodwin Davis. Portland, Maine : Southworth Press, 1928-1939. Online at:, Ancestry ($). Another good book with biographies of early setters before 1776 in New Hampshire and Maine is Piscataqua Pioneers, 1623-1775: Register of Members and Ancestors. This was edited by John Scales and published in 1919 at Dover, N.H., and is available online from The Library of Congress site archive.org. The biographical sketches are in alphabetical order, and you can use the search function to look up the name of an ancestor. Then you can study the page where that name is found. This book is also available on FS Library film 928,026 item 5. The Piscataqua Pioneers organization has deposited their membership applications with the University of New Hampshire Library in Durham, New Hampshire. These contain detailed information on lineages going back to the early settlers. The applications are also on FS Library microfilms. Please see the New Hampshire wiki article, then go to the Genealogy section, then see Piscataqua Pioneers. For other helpful genealogical collections see the New Hampshire wiki article, Genealogy section and Societies section.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1643-1882 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1647-1714 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1670-1747 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1770-1852 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Local Histories
Town history books or collections with genealogical sections are at the FamilySearch Library for: Candia, (includes Candia Four Corners region), Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Hampton (includes Hampton Beach region), Hampton Falls, Kensington, Londonderry, New Castle (data from cemeteries), Newfields, Newington, Northwood, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rye, Salem, Windham. Check the FamilySearch Library now and then to see if new books have come in. Fortunately, the FamilySearch Library has microfilms of birth, marriage, and death records, for most of the towns in Rockingham County, often from the date when the town was founded until the 1920s or 1930s, on microfilms. Thus, if there isn't a local history book with a genealogical section, you can: (1) check familysearch.org for birth, marriage, and death information, or (2) locate a microfilm with the town or city birth, marriage, or death records. The New Hampshire State Library in Concord has a vast collection of books about New Hampshire towns and counties. Check their online catalog for a town of interest. The New Hampshire Historical Society also in Concord has a very large collection of local history books and other publications. Their Collections Catalog can be searched online.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * The National Gazetteer: A Geographical Dictionary of the United States, compiled in 1884 by Auguste L. de Colange. This is a PDF file and you can look alphabetically for the town or city. A 1990 version of this book can be found at The National Gazetteer of the United States of America.
 * The Town and City Atlas of the State of New Hampshire (click to see digital images), published in Boston in 1892 by the D. H. Hurd Company. The maps show the locations of homes, and the map gives the name of the person living in the home. The above website is from the University of New Hampshire Library.
 * There are two very good early atlases that show the county and town boundary lines. One was published in 1822 by H. C. Carey and I. Lea, A Complete, Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas: . . . Philadelphia: H. C. Carey and I. Lea, 1822 (FS Library film 02083 item 6). The second atlas was published in 1838 by T. G. Bradford, An Illustrated Atlas, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical, of the United States, and Adjacent Countries. Boston: Weeks, Jordan and Company, 1838 (FS Library film 02083 item 7).
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records
For a military history of New Hampshire, see:
 * The Military History of the State of New Hampshire; by Potter, Chandler Eastman; Concord, N.H.: McFarland and Jenks, 1866. Online at: Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). This history comprises events from the first settlements in New Hampshire to the rebellion in 1861. It includes biographical notices of many of the officers and explanatory notes.

Revolutionary War The most complete listing of New Hampshire Revolutionary War soldiers is found in volumes 14-17 of the New Hampshire State Papers. You can also go to google.com, and look for New Hampshire State Papers with the link to ancestry.com. There you will find a name index to volumes 14-17, then you can go to the needed volume and page for information on the soldier. Often the place of residence is given.


 * 1675-1835 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images

War of 1812 See Chandler Potter's book directly above for information on the War of 1812.

Civil War Online Civil War Indexes and Records
 * 1861-1866 The Revised Register of the Soldiers and Sailors of New Hampshire in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1861-1866 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images;  Also at: Ancestry ($)
 * History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens, by Charles A. Hazlett - Chapter 34, Hampton - Soldiers of 1861-65

Regiments. Civil War service men in Rockingham County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this county:
 * - 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Cavalry, Troops H, L and M.
 * - 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C, H, and K.
 * - 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, Companies A, C, D, E, K, L, and M.
 * - 2nd Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, E, and K.
 * - 3rd Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, D, and H.
 * - 4th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, C, H, I and K.
 * - 5th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies D and K.
 * - 6th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C and H.
 * - 8th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, D, F, G, and H.
 * - 9th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A and H.
 * - 10th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A and G.
 * - 11th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A, B, C, E, and I.
 * - 12th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company F.
 * - 13th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C, E, F, and K.
 * - 14th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company D.
 * - 15th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies D, E, H, I and K.
 * - 16th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company K.
 * - 18th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company D.
 * - Houghton's Company, Martin Guards, New Hampshire Militia (90 days, 1864)
 * - Martin Guards, New Hampshire Militia
 * - New Hampshire Sharpshooters, 2nd Company F.

World War I
 * 1917-1918 U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at Ancestry - index & images ($)

World War II
 * 1938-1946 U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1942 U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at Ancestry - index & images ($)

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
 * 1906-1993 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images

Newspapers
The New Hampshire Newspaper Project began microfilming newspapers in the early 1990's. A list of the titles filmed, the range of date of publication, and the reel number can be found at the New Hampshire State Library. Films of newspapers may be able to be borrowed on interlibrary loan through your local public library or university library. Newspaperarchive.com has historical newspapers available online. You can search this free at FamilySearch Centers. Their database has Portsmouth newspapers (1898-2007) and the Lowell Sun, of Lowell, Massachusetts (1878-1977) that covered local news on Rockingham County residents as well as residents from surrounding counties. Other internet sites with newsapers include ancestry.com and genealogybank.com. The Exeter (NH) Public Library has a digitized collection of the various incarnations of the Exeter News-Letter (1831-1975) which covers much of Rockingham County.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1635-1753: New Hampshire Probate Records 1635-1753 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
 * 1643-1918 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1643-1982: New Hampshire Wills and Probate Records 1643-1982 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
 * 1647-1714 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1753-1800 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1771-1773 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1771-1869 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1771-1969 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1772-1773, 1808-1827 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1786-1902 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1844 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1847-1945 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1847-1971 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1850 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1891-1898, 1907, 1931-1948 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records
Many town tax records have been preserved by town clerks and town tax officials. Town tax records were generally taken each year. The FamilySearch Library has many town records on microfilms. For microfilm numbers see the FamilySearch Catalog under New Hampshire - Rockingham County - [name of town] - Town Records. You may wish to contact the Town Clerk's Office to see if they have addtional tax records.

Town Records
To look up the film numbers of town records, go to the Catalog tab at familysearch.org. Click on place name search. Then type in the name of the town. Select the reference to that town in New Hampshire. Then click on Search. You will see a list of subjects. Look for the subject "Town Records." Click on that heading to see information about the records including book or film numbers.

To see the types of family history information you might find in town records please go to the heading Town Records in our New Hampshire wiki article.


 * 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images

Vital Records
Certified copies of of birth, death, and marriage records are available from the State Division of Vital Records Administration or from the local city and town clerk where the event took place. Original records are kept by the city or town clerk and copies are sent to the state. In 1905, when the state created the Bureau of Vital Records and Health, printed cards were distributed to the local clerks and earlier vital records were transcribed onto the cards and submitted to the state. Many of those records are available on FS Library microfilms. Following are links to online searches with indexes and records:

Birth

 * 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1670-1747 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1869-1907 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Early-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1901-1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images

Marriage

 * 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1637-1964 New Hampshire, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
 * 1637-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1670-1747 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1948-1959 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images

Death

 * 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1654-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
 * 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1670-1747 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1869-1907 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images

FamilySearch Centers

 * Concord New Hampshire FamilySearch Center
 * Exeter New Hampshire FamilySearch Center
 * Nashua New Hampshire FamilySearch Center
 * American Canadian Genealogical Society - an affiliate library
 * Derry Public Library - an affiliate library
 * Griffin Free Public Library - an affiliate library

Libraries
When you learn the name of the town or city where your ancestor lived, contact the public library and the historical society there to see if they have information in their files. For a listing of local historical societies click here. Following are several local libraries that have family history collections:

Lane Memorial Library 2 Academy Ave Hampton, NH 03842 Phone: 603-926-3368 Website
 * The New Hampshire Room offers genealogies, town histories, and items of local interest. Their website offers links to several genealogical resources.

Exeter Public Library 4 Chestnut St Exeter, NH 03833 Phone: 603-772-3101 Website

Portsmouth Athenaeum 6-8 Market Square 3rd floor Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: 603-431-2538 Website
 * Hours: Open Tues. and Thurs. 1-4, Sat. 10-4

Portsmouth Public Library 175 Parrott Ave Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: 603-427-1540 Website
 * Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-9, Fri. 9-5:30, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5 (closed Sundays June-August)

Societies
Rockingham County Historical Societies as listed by CountyOffice.orgWebsite The New Hampshire History Network has an internet site where you can find information about historical societies in many cities and towns of Rockingham County. These historical societies can often be a great source of information for your family history research. You may also want to go to the internet and type in the name of the town in New Hampshire. Often you will find there is a public library. They can often help you with your family history questions.

Websites

 * The Rockingham County NHGenWeb Project, a member of The NHGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project.
 * nhhistory.org, the site of the New Hampshire Historical Society. They have an extensive collection of family and local history information.
 * The USGenWeb Archives Project for Rockingham County.
 * Rockingham County, New Hampshire Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium).
 * American Ancestors, the site of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Their site indexes their genealogical periodical, plus many other records.
 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.