Wilkes County, North Carolina Genealogy

United States   North Carolina    Wilkes County

History
Wilkes was formed in 1777 from Surry and the District of Washington. The act was to become effective February 15, 1778. It was named in honor of John Wilkes who was a violent opponent of the Tory party in England. He was not allowed to take his seat in Parliament to which he had been elected. The Americans imagined that he was suffering in the cause of liberty and named this county in his honor.

It is in the northwestern section of the State and is bounded by Yadkin, Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Surry counties. The present land area is 754.30 square miles and the 1990 population was 59,393.

Parent County
1777--Wilkes County was created from Surry County and the District of Washington. County seat: Wilkesboro

Boundary Changes
Ashe County was created from Wilkes County in 1799.

Record Loss
Some of the early records are missing.

Neighboring Counties

 * Alexander
 * Alleghany
 * Ashe
 * Caldwell
 * Iredell
 * Surry
 * Watauga
 * Yadkin

Church
LDS Ward and Branch Records


 * Mt. Zion

Genealogy
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:


 * Locate publications about direct ancestors
 * Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
 * Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]