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Chatham County,
North Carolina History & Facts

Chatham County, North Carolina History

When was Chatham County, NC Created?
Chatham County was created on April 1, 1771 from Orange County.

What is the County Seat of Chatham County, NC?
The County Seat is located in Pittsboro also, the county government website is www.chathamnc.org/.

What counties are adjacent to Chatham County, NC?
Bordering Counties are Orange CountyDurham CountyWake CountyHarnett CountyLee CountyMoore CountyRandolph CountyAlamance County.

Chatham County, NC Vital Records

Where can find Chatham County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Chatham County vital records can be found at the North Carolina Department of Health which has copies of birth records after 1913 and death records after 1930, copies of marriage since Jan 1962 and a Divorce records since 1958. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in North Carolina for current fees and application process.

Birth, death and marriage certificates also may be obtained at the Chatham County Register of Deeds (ROD) office. Divorce certificates may be obtained from the  Chatham County clerk of court.

You can search online for Chatham County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for North Carolina Birth CertificateDeath, Divorce and Marriage Certificate Application to mail.

The North Carolina State Archives has the following vital records: Death Certificates, 1913-1975 (Statewide Index: 1913-1979); microfilmed Indexes to Births and Deaths (except Wake, Durham); Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 (not required by law); Cohabitation Records, 1866-1867; microfilmed Marriage Registers and Indexes; microfilmed Marriage Licenses for many of the counties See Also North Carolina Vital Records Research Guide

Chatham County, NC Census Records


What Chatham County, NC census records are available?
County census records consists of Federal Census Schedules which can guide in looking into your family tree. Federal Population Schedules can be found for 1790-189019001910192019301940.

Chatham Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Chatham Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Chatham Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. The Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also North Carolina Census Records Research Guide

Chatham County, NC Courthouse and Government Records

Chatham County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Chatham County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Chatham County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in North Carolina courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless North Carolina residents. The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Chatham County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also North Carolina Courthouse Records Research Guide.

Chatham County, NC Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Chatham County, NC?
A list of Chatham County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See also a list of Statewide North Carolina Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Chatham County, NC Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Chatham County, NC?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Chatham County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Professional Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a payment. This is merely a directory that has been collected or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.

Chatham Co. NC Books, Newspapers & Publications

Chatham Co. NC Church / Bible Records & Cemeteries / Graveyards

Chatham Co. NC Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Chatham Co. NC General and History Websites

Chatham Co. NC Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Chatham Co. NC Military Records

Chatham Co. NC Schools & Directories