Rockingham County, New Hampshire Genealogy


Guide to Rockingham County, New Hampshire ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Brentwood
Organized: March 19, 1771
Parent County(s): one of the five original New Hampshire counties[1]
Neighboring Counties
Essex (MA) Hillsborough Merrimack Strafford York (ME)
See County Maps
Courthouse
New Hampshire, Rockingham County Courthouse.png
Location Map
Nh-rockingham.png

County Information

Description

Rockingham County was created on 19 March 1771[2] and named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been Prime Minister in 1765-1766.[3] Its county seat is Brentwood. It is located in the south-east region of the state.

County Courthouse

Rockingham County Courthouse
# 10 Rt. 125
Brentwood, NH 03833
Phone: 855-212-1234
Rockingham County Website

The clerks of the courts have divorce and court records from 1769.
Town or City Clerks have birth, marriage, death and burial records.
The Register of Probate has probate records from 1770.
The Register of Deeds has land records from 1643. [4]

Rockingham County, New Hampshire 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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[5]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1630 1630 1630 1639 1643 1639 1790
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started 1866. General compliance by 1901.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Boundary Changes

Populated Places

NewingtonPortsmouthRyeGreenlandStrathamNorth HamptonSeabrookHamptonHampton FallsSouth HamptonKensingtonEast KingstonNewtonPlaistowAtkinsonSalemWindhamHampsteadKingstonDanvilleSandownDerryLondonderryChesterAuburnNewmarketNewfieldsExeterBrentwoodEppingFremontRaymondCandiaNorthwoodDeerfieldNottinghamStraffordBarringtonLeeDurhamMadburyPittsfieldEpsomAllenstownHooksettBedfordManchesterLitchfieldHudsonPelhamMerrimacAmesburyMethuenHaverhillSalisburyEliotKitteryDoverBarnsteadNew CastleNew Hampshire Rockingham Towns.png



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:[8]

Cities
Towns
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Census-designated places
Ghost towns
  • Gosport (known as Star Island)


History Timeline

  • Rockingham County was first settled by Europeans moving north from the Plymouth Colony as early as 1623.
  • The county was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who had been British Prime Minister in 1765-1766.
  • The government was tightly linked to Massachusetts until 1679. The counties of New Hampshire were not introduced until 1769.

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Rockingham County, New Hampshire online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See New Hampshire Cemeteries for more information.

Census Records

  • 1840 US Census records for the town of Rye are filed under the Rockingham County town of "Not Stated" on both FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. "Rye" is visible on the left margins and a cursory sample of residents is consistent with residents in the 1830 and 1850 censuses. Rye (incorporated 1785) is also absent from the lists of enumerated towns in Rockingham County in 1840.
Historical populations
Census Pop.
1790 43,184
1800 45,427 5.2%
1810 50,175 10.5%
1820 55,246 10.1%
1830 44,325 −19.8%
1840 45,771 3.3%
1850 49,194 7.5%
1860 50,122 1.9%
1870 47,297 −5.6%
1880 49,064 3.7%
1890 49,650 1.2%
1900 51,118 3.0%
1910 52,188 2.1%
1920 52,498 0.6%
1930 53,750 2.4%
1940 58,142 8.2%
1950 70,059 20.5%
1960 99,029 41.4%
1970 138,951 40.3%
1980 190,345 37.0%
1990 245,845 29.2%
2000 277,359 12.8%
2010 295,223 6.4%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

Church Records

Church records and the information they provide 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 New Hampshire denominations, view the New Hampshire Church Records Wiki page. For tips on how to determine denomination, view the New Hampshire Research Tips and Strategies Wiki page.

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Court Records

  • Before 1771 for the towns of Dover (now in Stratford County, New Hampshire), Exeter, Hampton, and Portsmouth were at times under the jurisdiction of the old Norfolk County, Massachusetts. See Norfolk County, Massachusetts Court Records

Online Court Indexes and Records

Directories

The FamilySearch Library has many city directories on microfilm. See the FamilySearch Catalog and look up the city or town - Directories. For example Exeter, New Hampshire city directories are available on microfilms and/or microfiche for 1872, 1908, 1911-1912, 1915-1929. Those directories also often include the names of persons living in other nearby towns in the county.
Many directories are also available on the internet at www.ancestry.com. Go to Ancestry's Card Catalog, and under Search Titles, then type New Hampshire City Directories. Then you can select the city, and select the year, and see the digital images of the city directories.

Emigration and Immigration

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

A helpful book for early settlers from the 1600s to about 1776 is the Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire. By Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby, and Walter Goodwin Davis. Portland, Maine : Southworth Press, 1928-1939. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Ancestry ($). Another good book with biographies of early setters before 1776 in New Hampshire and Maine is Piscataqua Pioneers, 1623-1775: Register of Members and Ancestors. This was edited by John Scales and published in 1919 at Dover, N.H., and is available online from The Library of Congress site archive.org. The biographical sketches are in alphabetical order, and you can use the search function to look up the name of an ancestor. Then you can study the page where that name is found. This book is also available on FS Library film 928,026 item 5.

The Piscataqua Pioneers organization has deposited their membership applications with the University of New Hampshire Library in Durham, New Hampshire. These contain detailed information on lineages going back to the early settlers. The applications are also on FS Library microfilms. Please see the New Hampshire wiki article, then go to the Genealogy section, then see Piscataqua Pioneers.

For other helpful genealogical collections see the New Hampshire wiki article, Genealogy section and Societies section.

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents. See New Hampshire Land and Property for additional information about early New Hampshire land grants.

Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories

County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section New Hampshire Local Histories. Town history books or collections with genealogical sections are at the FamilySearch Library for: Candia, (includes Candia Four Corners region), Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Hampton (includes Hampton Beach region), Hampton Falls, Kensington, Londonderry, New Castle (data from cemeteries), Newfields, Newington, Northwood, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rye, Salem, Windham. Check the FamilySearch Library now and then to see if new books have come in.

Fortunately, the FamilySearch Library has microfilms of birth, marriage, and death records, for most of the towns in Rockingham County, often from the date when the town was founded until the 1920s or 1930s, on microfilms. Thus, if there isn't a local history book with a genealogical section, you can: (1) check familysearch.org for birth, marriage, and death information, or (2) locate a microfilm with the town or city birth, marriage, or death records.

The New Hampshire State Library in Concord has a vast collection of books about New Hampshire towns and counties. Check their online catalog for a town of interest.

The New Hampshire Historical Society also in Concord has a very large collection of local history books and other publications. Their Collections Catalog can be searched online.

Maps and Gazetteers

York CountyStrafford CountyMerrimack CountyHillsborough CountyMiddlesex CountyEssex CountyNH ROCKINGHAM.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

For historical publications and online resources for the state, see the pages: New Hampshire Maps and New Hampshire Gazetteers.

  • The National Gazetteer: A Geographical Dictionary of the United States, compiled in 1884 by Auguste L. de Colange. This is a PDF file and you can look alphabetically for the town or city. A 1990 version of this book can be found at The National Gazetteer of the United States of America.
  • The Town and City Atlas of the State of New Hampshire (click to see digital images), published in Boston in 1892 by the D. H. Hurd Company. The maps show the locations of homes, and the map gives the name of the person living in the home. The above website is from the University of New Hampshire Library.
  • There are two very good early atlases that show the county and town boundary lines. One was published in 1822 by H. C. Carey and I. Lea, A Complete, Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas: . . . Philadelphia: H. C. Carey and I. Lea, 1822 (FS Library film 02083 item 6). The second atlas was published in 1838 by T. G. Bradford, An Illustrated Atlas, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical, of the United States, and Adjacent Countries. Boston: Weeks, Jordan and Company, 1838 (FS Library film 02083 item 7).
  • FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

Military Records

For a military history of New Hampshire, see:

  • The Military History of the State of New Hampshire; by Potter, Chandler Eastman; Concord, N.H.: McFarland and Jenks, 1866. Online at: Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). This history comprises events from the first settlements in New Hampshire to the rebellion in 1861. It includes biographical notices of many of the officers and explanatory notes.

Revolutionary War
The most complete listing of New Hampshire Revolutionary War soldiers is found in volumes 14-17 of the New Hampshire State Papers. You can also go to google.com, and look for New Hampshire State Papers with the link to ancestry.com. There you will find a name index to volumes 14-17, then you can go to the needed volume and page for information on the soldier. Often the place of residence is given.

War of 1812
See Chandler Potter's book directly above for information on the War of 1812.

Civil War
Online Civil War Indexes and Records

Regiments. Civil War service men in Rockingham County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this county:

- 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Cavalry, Troops H, L and M.
- 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C, H, and K.
- 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, Companies A, C, D, E, K, L, and M.
- 2nd Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, E, and K.
- 3rd Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, D, and H.
- 4th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, C, H, I and K.
- 5th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies D and K.
- 6th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C and H.
- 8th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies B, D, F, G, and H.
- 9th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A and H.
- 10th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A and G.
- 11th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies A, B, C, E, and I.
- 12th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company F.
- 13th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies C, E, F, and K.
- 14th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company D.
- 15th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Companies D, E, H, I and K.
- 16th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company K.
- 18th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Company D.
- Houghton's Company, Martin Guards, New Hampshire Militia (90 days, 1864)
- Martin Guards, New Hampshire Militia
- New Hampshire Sharpshooters, 2nd Company F.

World War I

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

Newspapers

The New Hampshire Newspaper Project began microfilming newspapers in the early 1990's. A list of the titles filmed, the range of date of publication, and the reel number can be found at the New Hampshire State Library. Films of newspapers may be able to be borrowed on interlibrary loan through your local public library or university library.

Newspaperarchive.com has historical newspapers available online. You can search this free at FamilySearch Centers. Their database has Portsmouth newspapers (1898-2007) and the Lowell Sun, of Lowell, Massachusetts (1878-1977) that covered local news on Rockingham County residents as well as residents from surrounding counties. Other internet sites with newsapers include ancestry.com and genealogybank.com.

The Exeter (NH) Public Library has a digitized collection of the various incarnations of the Exeter News-Letter (1831-1975) which covers much of Rockingham County.

Obituaries

Other Records

Periodicals

Probate Records

In most counties in New Hampshire, probate records have been kept by the county. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.


Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Many town tax records have been preserved by town clerks and town tax officials. Town tax records were generally taken each year. The FamilySearch Library has many town records on microfilms. For microfilm numbers see the FamilySearch Catalog under New Hampshire - Rockingham County - [name of town] - Town Records. You may wish to contact the Town Clerk's Office to see if they have addtional tax records.

Town Records

To look up the film numbers of town records, go to the Catalog tab at familysearch.org. Click on place name search. Then type in the name of the town. Select the reference to that town in New Hampshire. Then click on Search. You will see a list of subjects. Look for the subject "Town Records." Click on that heading to see information about the records including book or film numbers.

To see the types of family history information you might find in town records please go to the heading Town Records in our New Hampshire wiki article.

Vital Records

Certified copies of of birth, death, and marriage records are available from the State Division of Vital Records Administration or from the local city and town clerk where the event took place. Original records are kept by the city or town clerk and copies are sent to the state. In 1905, when the state created the Bureau of Vital Records and Health, printed cards were distributed to the local clerks and earlier vital records were transcribed onto the cards and submitted to the state. Many of those records are available on FS Library microfilms. Following are links to online searches with indexes and records:

Birth

Marriage

Death

Divorce

Research Facilities

Archives

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

Libraries

When you learn the name of the town or city where your ancestor lived, contact the public library and the historical society there to see if they have information in their files. For a listing of local historical societies click here. Following are several local libraries that have family history collections:

Lane Memorial Library
2 Academy Ave
Hampton, NH 03842
Phone: 603-926-3368
Website

The New Hampshire Room offers genealogies, town histories, and items of local interest. Their website offers links to several genealogical resources.

Exeter Public Library
4 Chestnut St
Exeter, NH 03833
Phone: 603-772-3101
Website

Portsmouth Athenaeum
6-8 Market Square 3rd floor
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: 603-431-2538
Website

Hours: Open Tues. and Thurs. 1-4, Sat. 10-4

Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Ave
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: 603-427-1540
Website

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-9, Fri. 9-5:30, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5 (closed Sundays June-August)

Museums

Societies

Rockingham County Historical Societies as listed by CountyOffice.orgWebsite

The New Hampshire History Network has an internet site where you can find information about historical societies in many cities and towns of Rockingham County. These historical societies can often be a great source of information for your family history research.

You may also want to go to the internet and type in the name of the town in New Hampshire. Often you will find there is a public library. They can often help you with your family history questions.

Websites

Research Guides

References

  1. Newberry
  2. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 181. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  3. Wikipedia contributors, "Rockingham County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockingham_County,_New_Hampshire accessed 25 September 2018.
  4. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Rockingham County, New Hampshire page 453, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  5. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Page 452-453. 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), 436.
  6. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 181. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  7. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), New Hampshire.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  8. Wikipedia contributors, "Rockingham County, New Hampshire," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockingham_County,_New_Hampshire, accessed 17 November 2018.