Carter County, Oklahoma Genealogy
Guide to Carter County, Oklahoma ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for Captain Ben W. Carter, a Cherokee who lived among the Chickasaw. Carter County is located in the south-central location of the state. [2]
County Courthouse
Carter County Courthouse
#20 "B" St SW
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401
Phone: 580-223-5253
Carter County Website
Clerk Court has probate, court and land records
County Clerk has marriage records[1]
Carter County, Oklahoma Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1930 | 1895 | 1930 | 1895 | 1907 | 1908 | 1860 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[5]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1910 | 25,358 | — |
| 1920 | 40,247 | 58.7% |
| 1930 | 41,419 | 2.9% |
| 1940 | 43,292 | 4.5% |
| 1950 | 36,455 | −15.8% |
| 1960 | 39,044 | 7.1% |
| 1970 | 37,349 | −4.3% |
| 1980 | 43,610 | 16.8% |
| 1990 | 42,919 | −1.6% |
| 2000 | 45,621 | 6.3% |
| 2010 | 47,557 | 4.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing Carter County, Oklahoma Genealogy census records online, see: Oklahoma Census.
Federal Census Records
Federal Censuses were taken for Oklahoma starting in 1860. For links to Federal census indexes, see Oklahoma Census.
State Census Records
- 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census 1890 - Oklahoma Historical Societ
- 1890 and 1907 Oklahoma Territorial Census, 1890 and 1907 at Ancestry — index and image ($)
Church Records
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Oklahoma denominations, view the Oklahoma Church Records Wiki page.
- 1897-1984 Oklahoma, Church Records, 1897-1984 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images - incomplete
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
American Indians
Cemetery
- 1901-1994 Oklahoma, Comanche County, Highland Cemetery Records, 1901-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census
- 1851-1959 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Indian Censuses and Rolls, 1851-1959 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1895-1914 U.S., Native American Citizens and Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes, 1895-1914 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1898-1914 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Dawes Census Cards for Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Dawes Final Rolls - Oklahoma Historical Society
Land and Property
- 1884-1934 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Land Allotment Jackets for Five Civilized Tribes, 1884-1934 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1889 Oklahoma County Plats 1889 - Oklahoma Historical Society
- 1898-1914 Oklahoma Applications for Enrollment to the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and image
- 1899-1907 Oklahoma Applications for Allotment, Five Civilized Tribes, 1899-1907 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- For more information see Indians of Oklahoma
Funeral Homes
- 1926-2004 Alexander Funeral Home records (Wilson, Oklahoma), 1926-2004(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Oklahoma Land and Property for additional information about early Oklahoma land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863-1908 U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - - index & images ($)
- 1889 Oklahoma County Plats, 1889 - Oklahoma Historical Society
- El Reno Homesteader Filings - Oklahoma Historical Society
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
For more information see Oklahoma Land and Property
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Carter County, Oklahoma Genealogy. County and town histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Oklahoma Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Oklahoma - shows boundary changes for Oklahoma Counties
- Maps n More - county and township maps.
- Oklahoma Civil War Map of Battles
Migration
Military Records
Revolutionary War
- 1775 - 1783 United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & imagesy
- For more nationwide Revolutionary War databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
Civil War
- 1879-1920 Oklahoma, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1920 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Oklahoma, Confederate Pension Index, 1915-1955 at Ancestry — index (free)
- For more nationwide Civil War databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
World War I
- For more nationwide World War I databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
World War II
- 1940-1945 Oklahoma, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images— index & images
- Oklahoma Military Deaths - Oklahoma Historical Society
- For more nationwide World War II databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
Oklahoma Newspapers Online
- Oklahoma Digital Newspaper Project at Oklahoma Historical Society
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Oklahoma newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Oklahoma newspapers; searching tips
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Oklahoma newspapers
- 1800s-Current Oklahoma, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Oklahoma Newspaper Catalogs
- Oklahoma State Historical Society - catalog of known Oklahoma newspapers; lists repositories that have the newspapers
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Carter County, Oklahoma Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Carter County, Oklahoma Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).
Obituaries
Other Records
Voter Records
- 1906-1956 Oklahoma, Voter Records, 1906-1956 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Periodicals
Probate Records
In most counties in Oklahoma, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for Oklahoma - Carter - Probate records.
Online Records
- 1801–2008 Oklahoma Wills and Probate Records 1801-2008 at Ancestry — index & images $
- 1887–2008 Oklahoma Probate Records, 1887-2008 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1895-1968 Oklahoma, School Records, 1895-1968 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Oklahoma tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records.
Vital Records
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1908 in Oklahoma. Births records created 125 years ago and earlier and death records created 50 years ago and earlier are considered open records and can be obtained by qualifying individuals. See Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website for more information.
Copies of marriages can be obtained from the county clerk.
See also How to order Oklahoma Vital Records, order electronically online or download an application for Oklahoma Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Applications to mail.
Birth
Online Birth Records Indexes and Images
Marriage
Online Marriage Records Indexes and Images
- 1790-1998 Oklahoma, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1841 - 1927 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Marriage, Citizenship and Census Records, 1841-1927 at Ancestry ($)
- 1870-1930 Oklahoma Marriages, 1870-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index Only
- 1870 - 1930 Oklahoma, Select Marriages, 1870-1930 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1870-1930 Oklahoma, Marriages, 1870-1930 at My Heritage index ($)
- 1889-1951 Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Marriage Index, 1889-1951
- 1890-1995 Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- OKGenWeb Oklahoma Marriages
Death
Online Death Records Indexes and Images
- Obituaries Listed in the Oklahoman - Oklahoma Historical Society — index only
- 1864-1941 Oklahoma Deaths and Burials, 1864-1941 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images - incomplete
- 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry ($)
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry incomplete ($}
Divorce
Online Divorce Records Indexes and Images
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Carter County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Oklahoma Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Ardmore Oklahoma FamilySearch Center
- Ardmore Public Library - an affiliate library
- Holisso Center for Study of Chickasaw History and Culture - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Carter County. For state-wide library facilities, see Oklahoma Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Carter County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Oklahoma Societies.
Carter County Genealogical Library
c/o Greater Southwest Historical Museum
35 Sunset Dr SW
Ardmore, OK 73401
Phone: 580-226-3857
Email: thegreatersouthwestgshm.org
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Carter County OKGenWeb
- Carter County, OK History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Oklahoma Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Oklahoma. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_County,_Oklahoma accessed 09/29/2016
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Carter County, Oklahoma. Page 557-563 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 550-552.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Oklahoma. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Carter County, Oklahoma," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_County,_Oklahoma, accessed 3 Nov 2018.