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Cleveland County,
North Carolina History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Cleveland County, North Carolina History

When was Cleveland County, NC Created?
Cleveland County was created on January 11, 1841 from Lincoln County and Rutherford County .

What is the County Seat of Cleveland County, NC?
The County Seat is located in Shelby also, the county government website is www.clevelandcounty.com.

What counties are adjacent to Cleveland County, NC?
Bordering Counties are Burke County, Lincoln County (east-northeast), Gaston County (east-southeast), York County, South Carolina, Cherokee County, South Carolina, Rutherford County.

Cleveland County, NC Vital Records

Where can find Cleveland County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Cleveland 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 Cleveland County Register of Deeds (ROD) office. Divorce certificates may be obtained from the  Cleveland County clerk of court.

You can search online for Cleveland County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for North Carolina Birth Certificate, Death, 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

Cleveland County, NC Census Records


What Cleveland 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 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Cleveland Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cleveland Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cleveland 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

Cleveland County, NC Courthouse and Government Records

Cleveland County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Cleveland County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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.

Cleveland County, NC Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Cleveland County, NC?
A list of Cleveland 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 Cleveland County, NC Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Cleveland County, NC?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Cleveland 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.

Cleveland Co. NC Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Cleveland Co. NC Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Cleveland Co. NC General and History Websites

Cleveland Co. NC Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Cleveland Co. NC Military Records

Cleveland Co. NC Schools & Directories