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Durham County,
North Carolina History & Facts

Durham County, North Carolina History

When was Durham County, NC Created?
Durham County was created on 1881 from Orange County and Wake County.

What is the County Seat of Durham County, NC?
The County Seat is located in Durham also, the county government website is www.co.durham.nc.us/.

What counties are adjacent to Durham County, NC?
Bordering Counties are Person CountyGranville CountyWake CountyChatham CountyOrange County.

Durham County, NC Vital Records

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

You can search online for Durham 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

Durham County, NC Census Records


What Durham 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 1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Durham Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also North Carolina Census Records Research Guide

Durham County, NC Courthouse and Government Records

Durham County Courthouse

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

Durham County, NC Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

Durham Co. NC Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Durham Co. NC Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Durham Co. NC General and History Websites

Durham Co. NC Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Durham Co. NC Military Records

Durham Co. NC Schools & Directories