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McDowell 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

McDowell County, North Carolina History

When was McDowell County, NC Created?
McDowell County was created on December 19, 1842 from Rutherford County and Burke County.

What is the County Seat of McDowell County, NC?
The County Seat is located in Williamston also, the county government website is mcdowellgov.com.

What counties are adjacent to McDowell County, NC?
Bordering Counties are Mitchell County, Avery County, Burke County, Rutherford County, Buncombe County, Yancey County.

McDowell County, NC Vital Records

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

You can search online for McDowell 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

McDowell County, NC Census Records


What McDowell 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 1790-1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

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

McDowell County, NC Courthouse and Government Records

McDowell County Courthouse

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

McDowell County, NC Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

McDowell Co. NC Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

McDowell Co. NC Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

McDowell Co. NC General and History Websites

McDowell Co. NC Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

McDowell Co. NC Military Records

McDowell Co. NC Schools & Directories