If you are someone who is considering searching for North Carolina genealogy records, then there are a few steps that you can take in order to make this process easier for you. The first thing that you need to keep in mind is to always organize your information before you proceed. Searching for North Carolina genealogy records requires that you find people form specific times and places, so all the dates and names may get confusing if you aren't organized. The best place to start digging into your past is by using the people in your present. Start with other family members and find out what factual family history they might be able to fill you in on. After collecting information about your family, you can fill out an ancestor chart with the names that you have acquired through all of the searches for North Carolina genealogy records.
When you begin your actual research, you can start in the Government and Heritage Library. You can check the catalog to see if there is a genealogy of your family. Sift through vital records, marriage records, land records, records from courts, and census records. All of these documents will help you better understand the entirety of your family history.
Before the year of 1913, birth and death records were not kept in North Carolina. For most of the counties in the state there are microfilm indexes of these records that are available to researchers. Another tool that you can use to research your family history is the United States census. By using census records for the state of North Carolina, you can locate specific ancestors at specific time periods and locations. This can be a very helpful resource that many people may overlook. You can start with the latest census records of the earliest known ancestors. Pay close attention to the change in households, and you will be able to gain insightful information that may help you better understand your family history.
The information that the census provides is dependent on the year. For example, in the years of 1930, 1920, 1910, 1900, and 1880, they revealed the relationship of each person that lived in the household to the individual who was viewed as the head of the household. The censuses of 1900 and 1910 also divulge the number of years a couple had been married, while the census of 1930 reveals the age of a person's first marriage. The 1870 census was the first one that named all of the African Americans, and all of the censuses after the year of 1850 recorded the birthplace of the people mentioned.
Genealogy records can contain shocking information about a person's past. The only way that someone can figure this information out is if they spend the time to do the research. For some people, this can be enough to make them not want to attempt to uncover their past. But for others, their motivation outweighs the doubts and concerns that they may have.
North Carolina genealogy records are maintained by the Vital Records Unit of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This department handles all birth and death records from 1913 to the present. The department has no records whatsoever for any birth or death prior to 1913. The Register of Deeds in the county where the birth occurred may be contacted for birth information prior to 1913. The North Carolina State Archives has a limited number of death records for deaths occurring between 1909 and 1930.
Marriage and divorce records may also be needed for genealogy records. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has marriage records for 1962 to the present, and divorce records from 1958 to the present. The Vital Records Unit recommends that family researchers first look for any type of genealogy records in the county in which the ancestor lived. This is because in addition to the search fee, the Vital Records Unit also requires that an applicant for a vital record already know a great deal of the information contained in the record.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records