Vital records are important to research, but they are not always easy to find. In North Carolina, death certificates began to be issued on a statewide basis in October of 1913.
Vital records are important to research, but they are not always easy to find. It is necessary to know the county where the person was married. Records can be found in different locations depending on when the marriage took place. Below are some guidelines to help navigate these records.
Court records are very important to research, especially in the 1700s and 1800s as many things went through the court. Bought land? It was proved in court. Died? Will and estate records were proved in court. These are just a few examples. In North Carolina, only 32 of 100 counties have no missing records. 36 had courthouse fires and 32 more counties have missing records for unknown reasons. That means just a bit over two-thirds of North Carolina counties has missing records. Despite the fires and missing records, it is important to remember there are other types of records that may be able to help you. A courthouse fire does not equate a total loss of records for the county. It is a good idea to examine all records that do exist.