North Carolina, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection includes the following various county records: Soon after they were formed, counties began recording vital records, court records, and land transactions. The records are generally well preserved. The records were made to establish legal rights and to help track the population for health and taxation purposes. Most of the records are either handwritten or handwritten on printed forms. The information is generally reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant. Some transcription errors may have occurred.
 * Coroner's Inquests (1793-1905)
 * Voter Registration Books (1888-1896)
 * Wills (1821-1968)
 * Guardianships (1849-1967)
 * Estates (1854-1968)

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The type of event
 * The approximate date the event occurred
 * The names of of other family members and their relationships

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’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

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

 * Use the age to calculate a birth date
 * Use the names, ages and residence church and census records
 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment or military records
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual

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

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Consult the North Carolina Record Finder to find other records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research 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

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * North Carolina. Division of Archives and History. County reference index cards, ca. 1665-1970
 * North Carolina. Office of Archives and History. Guide to County records in the North Carolina State Archives. 12th rev ed. Raleigh, North Carolina : North Carolina Office of Archives and History, c2009 FS Library 975.6 A3gc

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Emilee Mills Staubach. Early courthouse records of various North Carolina counties : notes.
 * North Carolina. Office of Archives an History. Guide to research materials in the North Carolina State Archives : section B, county records. Raleigh, North Carolina : North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1972
 * D. L. Corbitt, Handbook of county records deposited with the North Carolina Historical Commission. Salt Lake City, Utah : Edwards & Broughton, 1925

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.