Step-by-Step North Carolina Research, 1880-Present

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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What should be asked?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.

Using clues to lead to census record searches.
This marriage certificate, found in old home papers, gives clues as to where and when to begin searching in census records for the Rushing family. Henry Rushing marries in 1929 in South Carolina, but states that his residence is North Carolina. He is 23 years old, making his birth year about 1906. We should begin by looking for him in the 1930 census, the closest census to his marriage, possibly in either North or South Carolina. '''We actually find them living in Philadelphia in 1940, but they have lived mostly in North Carolina for the last ten years, according to the birthplaces of their children. We found this record by using an index search that picked up on his birthplace rather than his residence. Henry and Olivia have six children at this point.''' {| '''In 1930, we find Henry and Olivia living in North Carolina with her mother. This census record is unusual because it lists Olivia with her maiden name, even though she is married. Henry is listed here as born in North Carolina in about 1906. So we will now look for him in earlier census records. Hopefully, we will find him listed in the home of his parents.'''

Finding an older generation.
'''We could not find Henry in the 1920 census, but here he is in 1910 in the home of his parents, Wilson and Tela Rushing. We then look for Wilson and Tela Rushing back in time in the 1900 census, and forward in time in the 1920 and 1930 censuses. We are able to identify thirteen children for this couple. In 1920 and 1930, Wilson has a new wife, Minnie. Wilson is born in November 1867 in North Carolina.'''

Finding even another older generation.
'''The 1890 census was destroyed. In the 1880 census, we find Wilson Rushing listed in the home of his parents, Rob and Adeline Rushing.  Since Rob and Adeline Rushing have teenage children, we should have been able to find them in the 1870 census, but have not succeeded. We did follow up in later census records, 1900 and 1900, which identified two more children and a second wife for Robert Rushing, Hannah.'''
 * }



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
- For more information, see North Carolina Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. *A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records.

Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can:
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death: - 'Some of the examples shown above are index entries''. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists'''. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate. -
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to state civil registration beginning in 1867)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: North Carolina Counties.

Order Certificates from North Carolina Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for North Carolina Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in North Carolina, see How to Find North Carolina Birth Records, How to Find North Carolina Marriage Records, and How to Find North Carolina Death Records.

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituary Collections

 * Online North Carolina Death Records &amp; Indexes by county
 * ObitsArchive
 * Obituary Links
 * North Carolina Obituaries
 * 1980-2014 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Cemetery Record Collections

 * Find-A-Grave.com
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
 * at FamilySearch How to Use This Collection
 * at FamilySearch How to Use This Record; Also at: Ancestry ($)
 * North Carolina, Cemetery Survey Records aka the WPA Survey Records at North Carolina Digital Collections
 * Cemeteries of North Carolina at Cemetery Census
 * North Carolina Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
 * North Carolina Cemetery Records at Interment
 * North Carolina Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
 * Online North Carolina Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see North Carolina Obituaries and North Carolina Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see North Carolina Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration in xxxx.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch Indexes

 * 1700-1970 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1866-1964 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1759-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1898-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * 1843-1925 North Carolina, L.D.S. baptisms card index, 1843-1925.

Lutheran

 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)

Quakers (Society of Friends

 * Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Vol. I: (North Carolina Yearly Meeting)
 * 1681-1935 U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, index & images ($). Incomplete.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * An Abstract of North Carolina Wills ($)
 * North Carolina Wills Index only ($)
 * North Carolina Wills and Inventories Transcripts ($)
 * Abstract of North Carolina Wills Compiled from Original and Recorded Wills in the Office of the Secretary of State. By John Bryan Grimes. 1910. Online at: Internet Archive, Google Books, Eastern North Carolina Digital Library.
 * North Carolina wills and inventories copied from original and recorded wills and inventories in the office of the secretary of state. By J. Bryan Grimes, secretary of state. 1912. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Eastern North Carolina Digital Library, USGenWeb Archives.
 * Index and image, incomplete.
 * Images only.
 * , images/no index

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each North Carolina county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources: North Carolina Counties

For more information, see North Carolina Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records are the next goal. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but in ship lists after 1906 you can find the actual town of birth, the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives in the place they are traveling to.

Immigration records
Passenger lists and border crossing lists are the most common immigration records. There are many immigration records available. Click here to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records for the time period when your ancestors arrived.

There are also a few immigration records unique to North Carolina:
 * Index and images.] Also at Findmypast, ($), index
 * Alien Registration and Naturalization, images
 * North Carolina, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1958-1963, index, ($)

Naturalization (Citizenship) Records
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petitions for citizenship, and final certificate of naturalization. Naturalization records after 1906 can show birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates.

North Carolina naturalization records could be recorded at the county court or the Federal District or Circuit Court. You must look for them in both locations. Try searching first in any county where the person lived, unless the census tells you the year they were naturalized, and you have evidence of where they lived that year. If you cannot locate them in the county records, try searching for them in the Federal courts.

North Carolina Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * North Carolina, Naturalization Records, 1872-1996 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - District Courts in the Southeast, 1790-1958 – covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee ($)
 * Alien, Naturalization and Citizenship Records, images, NC Digital Collection

Local histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories:
 * Hathi Trust Digital Library. Don't use the keywords North Carolina; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "North Carolina" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "North Carolina" and the county name.
 * Genealogy Book Links, North Carolina. Browse list; county histories are interspersed.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use North Carolina and the name of the county.


 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find out about local histories the library has by checking the FamilySearch Catalog. In the "place" field, type the name of your county and select it from the drop down list, then click "Search". A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, and History - Indexes.

Biography Collections
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
 * North Carolina Digital Collection - Books on North Carolina Families
 * North Carolina County and Town Histories with biographies
 * Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press
 * North Carolina, the Old North State and the new, Vol. 1 and 2, ($), index/images. Also at HathiTrust, no charge/no index Vol. 3, Vol. 4Vol. 5
 * History of North Carolina, ($), index/images
 * History of North Carolina, Biography...Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, e-books
 * Biographical history of North Carolina from colonial times to the present, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6,Vol. 7, Vol. 8,
 * Sketches of North Carolina, historical and biographical, illustrative of the principles of a portion of her early settlers
 * Prominent people of North Carolina: brief biographies of leading people for ready reference purposes, 1906
 * Reminiscences and memoirs of North Carolina and eminent North Carolinians. Also at: Internet Archive

Step 10: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * North Carolina, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * North Carolina, United States Historical Images, Old Version

North Carolina Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in North Carolina Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the North Carolina Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * North Carolina Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in North Carolina.
This article focused more on North Carolina state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in North Carolina. This can help you with other records kept on a county level.