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Rutherford County, North Carolina
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Rutherford County North Carolina Map
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Rutherford was formed in 1779 from Tryon County. It was named in honor of Griffith Rutherford, one of the most prominent of the Revolutionary patriots. He led the expedition that crushed the Cherokees in 1776, and rendered important services both in the Legislature and on the battlefield. Its present land area is 564.12 square miles and the 2000 population was 62,901.

The act establishing the county provided that the first court be held at the home of Joseph Walker and the justices were to decide on the most convenient place to hold succeeding courts until a courthouse could be erected. Commissioners were named to select a place for the county seat. In 1781 an act was passed stating that the original act had not been fully carried out and that the previous commissioners had failed to erect a courthouse even though they had selected the land of James Holland in the fork of Shepard's Creek. The act authorized the commissioners to purchase fifty acres of land from James Holland and erect the buildings. In 1784 an act was passed which stated that the place selected by the commissioners was not convenient; therefore, new commissioners were named to survey the county, locate the center, purchase land and erect the public buildings. In 1787 Rutherford was established on the land purchased for the county seat. Two acres were reserved for the public buildings. Rutherfordton was incorporated in 1793 and is the county seat. The County Courthouse was destroyed in 1907 by fire

County is bordered by McDowell County (north), Burke County (northeast), Cleveland County (east), Cherokee County, SC (southeast), Spartanburg County, SC (southwest), Polk County (southwest), Henderson County (west), Buncombe County (northwest) . The county is divided into fourteen townships: Camp Creek, Chimney Rock, Colfax, Cool Springs, Duncans Creek, Gilkey, Golden Valley, Green Hill, High Shoals, Logan Store, Morgan, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Sulphur Springs, and Union.Cities, Towns and Communities include Bostic, Chimney Rock, Ellenboro, Forest City, Lake Lure, Ruth, Rutherfordton, pindale.

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.rutherfordcountync.gov/.

  • Submit a Website or Report Incorrect Information
  • Historical Newspapers from North Carolina (1719 - 1977) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in over 2,800 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
  • North Carolina Genealogy Network - Facebook.com
  • Family History Library
  • North Carolina Newspaper Archives - the largest historical newspaper database online, contains nearly 100 million newspaper pages from 1759 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully searchable by keyword and date. It Features billions of articles from historical newspapers around the U.S. and the world, it makes exploring history and genealogy easy. Discover fascinating news in archived newspapers hundreds of years old - including obituaries, birth announcements, sports articles, comics, and more – to fill in the life stories you are interested in. All of thier historical newspapers are full-page and fully searchable
  • On-Site County Court Records Search! Many court records are not digitized yet, which means the only way to obtain these records is by going to the actual courthouses. Someone from our network of court-runners will go retrieve the records and then send you the results. Average response time is 38 hours.
  • North Carolina Historical Records - Databases include North Carolina Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; North Carolina Birth, Marriage & Death Records; North Carolina Voter Lists & Census Records; North Carolina Immigration & Emigration Records; North Carolina Obituary Records; North Carolina Military Records; North Carolina Family Tree Records; North Carolina Pictures; North Carolina Stories, Memories & Histories; North Carolina Directories & Member Lists and much more....

  • County History
  • Rutherford County, North Carolina History Books at Amazon.com
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Rutherford County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also North Carolina Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

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 Rutherford Courthouse Hours and Location

Rutherford County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1779 and Probate Records from 1782 and is located at 229 N. Main St., PO Box 630, Rutherfordton, NC 28139; (828) 286-9136, Fax (828) 286-4322.

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.

Rutherford County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1768 and Marriage Records from 1774 and is located at PO Box 551, Courthouse Rutherfordton NC 28139; 828-287-6156, Fax: 828-287-6470, [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 Rutherford County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Rutherford County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Vital Records in North Carolina

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 Rutherford County Register of Deeds Office. Divorce Records are available from the Rutherford 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:

  • Birth Certificates: Birth records are available from 1913 to the present. For birth records prior to the dates listed above, contact the local Register of Deeds office in the county where the birth occurred. In order to process a request, Vital Records needs to know: Full Name on Certificate, Date of Birth, Mother's Full Maiden Name, Father's Full Name, Place (City or County) of Birth.
  • Death Certificates: Certified copies of death records are available from 1930 to the present. 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. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Deceased, Date of Death, Place (City or County) of Death, Date of Birth. Fees are listed below. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index
  • Marriage Certificates: Certified copies of Marriage records are available from 1962 to the present. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Groom, Full Name of Bride, Date of Marriage, Place (City or County) Where License Was Issued. Marriages prior to 1962 should be available from the County Register of Deeds office where the marriage was performed. Fees vary.
  • Divorce Certificates: Certified copies of Divorce records are available from 1958 to the present. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Husband, Full Name of Wife, Date of Divorce, Place (City or County) of Divorce. If the records are not available at the North Carolina Vital Records office, they should be available from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.

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 Rutherford County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Rutherford County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for North Carolina

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 Rutherford County, North Carolina are 1790, 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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Rutherford County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in North Carolina

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 Rutherford County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Rutherford County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other North Carolina Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Rutherford County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Rutherford County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for North Carolina

There are many churches and cemeteries in Rutherford County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Rutherford County Tombstone Transcription Project or Site 2. 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 Rutherford County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for North Carolina

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Rutherford County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Rutherford County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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