North Carolina State Supreme Court Case Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is comprised of images to case files from North Carolina State Supreme Court for the year 1800 to 1909. The cases are generally appeals of lower court decisions with each case usually covering multiple pages. The records are arranged chronologically and handwritten.

The Supreme Court of North Carolina originated with the State Constitution of 1776, which empowered the General Assembly to appoint "Judges of the Supreme Courts of Law and Equity" and "Judges of Admiralty." The appellate court was created in 1799. For additional information on the history of the North Carolina State Supreme Court, see the following on-line article:

Supreme Court of North Carolina

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Case files • 3

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual or individuals involved in the case
 * The approximate court date

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor in the court records, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age to calculate a birth date
 * Use the names, ages, residence, church, and census records
 * Use the information found to search land and probate records
 * Use the information found to search additional state and county records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities
 * Consult the North Carolina Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of North Carolina.
 * North Carolina Guided Research
 * North Carolina Record Finder
 * North Carolina Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step North Carolina Research, 1880-Present

FamilySearch Catalog

 * North Carolina. Supreme Court. Court case files, 1800-1909
 * North Carolina Superior Court. Hillsboro District. Court minutes, 1768-1806
 * North Carolina. Superior Court. Salisbury District. Court minutes, 1756-1809
 * Paul M. McCain. The county court in North Carolina before 1750.New York, New York : AMS Press, 1970, c1954 FHL 975.6 P2mc
 * William D. Bennett, ed. Catalogue, North Carolina federal court records [at the National Archives, Atlanta Branch Raleigh, North Carolina : W.D. Bennett, 1987 FHL 975.6 A3b]

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.