Lenoir was formed in 1791 from Dobbs County. It was named in honor of William Lenoir, one of the heroes of Kings Mountain. The present land area is 399.85 square miles and the 2000 population was 59,636. When Kinston was established in 1762 it was in Dobbs County. It was made the county seat of Dobbs in 1764, and when Dobbs was established in 1791, Kinston became the county seat of Lenoir. The County Courthouse was destroyed in 1878 & 1880 by fire, Some early records were destroyed.
County is bordered by Greene County (north), Pitt County (northeast), Craven County (east), Jones County (southeast), Duplin County (southwest), Wayne County (west) . The county is divided into twelve townships: Contentnea Neck, Falling Creek, Institute, Kinston, Moseley Hall, Neuse, Pink Hill, Sand Hill, Southwest, Trent, Vance, and Woodington. Cities, Towns and Communities include Grifton, Kinston, La Grange, Pink Hill .
The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us.

What follows is an outline of beginning dates of extant records of each county. The beginning dates do not imply that all records are extant since some of North Carolina's county records have been lost due to fire and other causes. Find out about the Lenoir Courthouse Hours and Location
Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1874 and Probate Records from 1869 and is located at Courthouse, 130 S Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501; (252) 527-6231.
The Clerk of the Superior Court holds probate records and court records if they have not been transferred to the state archives in Raleigh. Probate records include not only wills, but also loose estates records, most of which have not been microfilmed. Court records may include apprentice bonds, bastardy bonds, and officials' or constables' bonds in addition to dockets, fee and account books, and court minutes and orders. They also have Divorce Records.
Lenoir County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1737 and Marriage Records from 1791 and is located at PO Box 3289, 130 S. Queen Str, Kinston NC 28502; 252-559-6420, Fax: 252-523-6139, [EMAIL].
The register of deeds at the county seat holds land and vital records if they have not been transferred to the state archives in Raleigh. Land records may include deeds, grants, plats, and other miscellaneous items. Vital records include Birth and Marriage records.
North Carolina tax lists have survived better than those for many states. The lists date from the first decade of the eighteenth century to the present. Microfilmed copies are available at the North Carolina State Archives and FHL, the Many transcriptions are found in the pages of North Carolina's periodicals.
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
Do not contact North Carolina Vital Records or the North Carolina State Archives, as there are no birth records prior to 1913 in a state public office. For death certificates prior to 1930, contact the North Carolina State Archives. A few delayed death records may exist back to 1909. Prior to this, there are no death records of any sort other than wills and estate settlements in the North Carolina State Archives.
COUNTY: Birth and Marriage Recordes and avalible from the Lenoir County Register of Deeds Office. Divorce Records are available from the Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court Office. Click Here To see a list of North Carolina County Health Departments
STATE: North Carolina Vital Records is located at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903; (919) 733-3526 (This office does not accept FAX or e-mail orders). All Fees are listed below under "Cost". They have the following records:
Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.
Cost: A fee of $15 is charged for each name searched in a five-year period, regardless of the search results as per G.S. 130A-93.1. If the record is located, one certified or uncertified copy of the record will be provided at no additional cost. Additional copies of the same record, when requested at the same time, are $5 each. These fees are for a search, regardless of the results. Search fees are not refundable. Any additional request to search in 5-year increments for records outside of the original 5-year period will cost an additional $15 fee
Ordering Vital Records by Mail - Make certified checks and money orders should be made payable to "North Carolina Vital Records". Please do not send cash or checks. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to: North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Certificates or Death Certificates.
Ordering Vital Records In Person: Individuals may visit the office on the first floor of the Cooper Memorial Health Building at 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, N.C. between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, except on state government holidays. Parking is available on the north (Lane Street) side of the Cooper Building. Customers should bring a valid photo ID and non-refundable $15 search fee for each request. Copies of the same certificate are $5 if requested at the same time. You will be asked to fill out an application upon arrival or you may bring a completed one with you (see above for required forms). Walk-in requests for same day service are subject to an additional $15 expedited services fee and will usually be fulfilled in about one hour. Customers are encouraged to leave completed requests forms with us for a mailed response to avoid the extra fee for same day services.
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Lenoir County, North Carolina are 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Lenoir County, North Carolina are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Census Records by clicking the link below:
There are a few online military record databases which include: North Carolina Volunteers, Spanish American War, North Carolina Revolutionary War Soldiers.
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
There are many churches and cemeteries in Lenoir County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Lenoir County Tombstone Transcription Project. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches and cemeteries free for viewing or download here.
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Below is a list of online resources for Lenoir County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Lenoir County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below: