Rutherford County, North Carolina Genealogy

United States

North Carolina

Rutherford County

Guide to Rutherford County, North Carolina ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

North Carolina Online Genealogy Records

County Facts County seat: Rutherfordton Organized: 1779 Parent County(s): Tryon Neighboring Counties Buncombe • Burke • Cherokee (SC) • Cleveland • Henderson • McDowell • Polk • Spartanburg (SC) See County Maps Courthouse Location Map

County Information

Description

Rutherford County is located in the southwestern portion of North Carolina and shares a border with South Carolina. It was named for Revolutionary War General Griffith Rutherford, a member of the North Carolina Provincial Congress.

County Courthouse

Rutherford County Court
229 N Main Street
PO Box 551
Rutherforton, NC 28139-0630
Phone: 828-287-6155
Rutherford County Website

Clerk Superior Court has birth records from 1917, death records from 1913, marriage, divorce, probate court and land records from 1779, tax lists and voter registration.

Rutherford County, North Carolina 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
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1917	1779	1913	1779	1779	1779	1784
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1913. General compliance by 1920.

Record Loss

1907 Fire burned courthouse For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see: Burned Counties. By Michael John Neill at 24-7 Family History Circle. When the Records are Gone. By Arlene Eakle at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Blog. Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki. List of counties in the United States with Record Loss

Boundary Changes

1779 Rutherford County was created from Tryon. Tyron County was abolished in 1779. County seat: Rutherfordton North Carolina Individual County Chronologies - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county North Carolina Historical Borders - Map at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; Also at: mapofus.org - animated maps illustrating North Carolina county boundary changes

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:

Towns
Bostic Ellenboro Forest City	Lake Lure Ruth	Rutherfordton Spindale
Villages
Chimney Rock
Unincorporated communities
Alexander Mills Corinth	Harris Mount Vernon	Sandy Mush Union Mills
Census-designated places
Caroleen	Cliffside	Henrietta
Townships
Camp Creek Chimney Rock Colfax Cool Spring Duncans Creek	Gilkey Golden Valley Green Hill High Shoals Logan Store	Morgan Rutherfordton Sulphur Springs Union

Resources

Bible Records

• Bible Records at North Carolina Digital Archives - index and image

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Rutherford County, North Carolina online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Findagrave.com NCGenWeb NCGenWeb Archives Tombstone Project North Carolina Cemeteries BillionGraves
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)	FamilySearch Library WorldCat
List of Cemeteries in the County	Findagrave.com BillionGraves FamilySearch Places
See North Carolina Cemeteries for more information

 

• North Carolina, Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images Also at: Ancestry ($)

Census Records

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	7,808	—
1800	10,753	37.7%
1810	13,202	22.8%
1820	15,351	16.3%
1830	17,557	14.4%
1840	19,202	9.4%
1850	13,550	−29.4%
1860	11,573	−14.6%
1870	13,121	13.4%
1880	15,198	15.8%
1890	18,770	23.5%
1900	25,101	33.7%
1910	28,385	13.1%
1920	31,426	10.7%
1930	40,452	28.7%
1940	45,577	12.7%
1950	46,356	1.7%
1960	45,091	−2.7%
1970	47,337	5.0%
1980	53,787	13.6%
1990	56,918	5.8%
2000	62,899	10.5%
2010	67,810	7.8%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

Church Records

• 1700-1970 North Carolina, Church Records, 1700-1970 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Baptist

• Bill's Creek. Constituted 1782.
• Buffalow Creek. Constituted 1777.
• Green River. Constituted 1778.
• Mountain Creek. Constituted 1789.
• Sandy Run. Constituted 1788.

Presbyterian

• Brittain Church, Rutherfordton, N.C. Organized 1768. Originally located in Tryon.

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places
  

Court Records

• 1779-1868 Minutes, Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1779-1868(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
• 1783-1940 North Carolina, Rutherford County, Civil Action Court Papers, 1783-1940(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
• 1869-1964 Minute Docket (Civil and Criminal) 1869-1964, and Index to Criminal Minute Docket, 1939-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1880-1948 School Records (Rutherford County, North Carolina), 1880-1948(*); Board of Education, Clerk of the Superior Court and Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Directories

• 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

• 1862-1870 North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1863-1872 North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only

Funeral Homes

• Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services in Forest City.
• McMahan’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Rutherfordton.
• Padgett and King Mortuary and Crematory in Forest City.
• Pruitt Funeral Home and Cremations in Forest City.
• Thompson Mortuary and Chapel in Forest City.
• Ulysses D. Miller Funeral Service, Inc. in Rutherfordton.
• Washburn and Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service in Bostic.

Genealogies

• "Notes on a Proctor Family of Northeastern Rutherford Co., N.C.," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 38, No. 3 (August 2010):102-110. FS Library Book 975.7 B2sc v. 38

Land and Property Records

Online Land Indexes and Records

• North Carolina Land Grants at NC Historical Records Online - index, requires free account to view images
• Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

Maps and Gazetteers

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

• FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

Early migration routes to and from Rutherford County for European settlers included:

• Old Cherokee Path pre-historic

Military Records

Revolutionary War

• 1778-1833 Delamar Transcripts of Revolutionary War Petitions at North Carolina Genealogical Society - index ($)
• 1779-1782 North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers 1779-1782 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Civil War

• 1861-1865 North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1861-1865 North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
• 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
• 1885 and 1901 1885 and 1901 Confederate Pension Applications at North Carolina Digital Collections - index & images
• 1885-1953 North Carolina, Confederate Soldiers and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1953 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Regiments. Men in Rutherford County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Rutherford County:

- 1st Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserves, Company B

- 1st Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserves, Company C

- 5th Regiment, North Carolina Senior Reserves, Company G

- 16th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company D

- 16th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company G

- 16th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company N

World War I

• 1914-1918 World War I Papers at North Carolina Digital Collections - index & images
• 1917-1919 North Carolina, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

World War II

• 1939-1945 World Ward II Papers at North Carolina Digital Collections - index & images
  
  
• 1940-1948 North Carolina, Discharge and Statement of Service Records, 1940-1948 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Newspapers

• North Carolina Newspapers at DigitalNC
• 1800s-Current Nebraska, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)

Other Records

Voter Registration

• 1868-1898 North Carolina, Voter Registration Records, 1868-1898 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

• 1663-1789 Secretary of State Wills at North Carolina Digital Collections - index & images
• 1663-1978 Wills, 1663-1978; Estate Papers, 1802-1968 (Rutherford County)(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
• 1663-1979 North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1665-1998 North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998 at Ancestry ($)
• 1720-1960 Will Books A to F and 1 to 8 (1720-1960) at FamilySearch.org - How to Use this Collection; images only (by County)
• 1735-1970 North Carolina Probate Records 1735-1970 at FamilySearch- How to Use this Collection; images only (by County)
• 1750-1970 Rutherford County, North Carolina, Miscellaneous Records, vol. II, 1750-1970(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1760-1800 North Carolina Will Abstracts 1760-1800 at Ancestry ($)
• 1779-1868 Minutes, Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1779-1868(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
• 1780-1784 Images of the Minutes of the Pleas and Quarter Sessions Court 1780-1784 North Carolina Pioneers ($)
• 1780-1784 Minutes of the Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1780 to 1784. (Mentions wills filed, inventory lists, sales, administrators, orphans, deeds proved, etc. If you cannot find a will in the will book, this is where to search.)
• 1782-1964 Rutherford County North Carolina list of will book testators SAMPUBCO, browsable index of testators of wills.
• 1782-1964 Will Books 1 to 3 and A to N (1782-1964) at FamilySearch.org - How to Use this Collection; images only (by County)
• 1782-1964 Will Records and Cross Index, 1782-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1784-1850 Miscellaneous Probate Records, 1784-1850(*); County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions at FamilySearch Catalog — images
• 1790 Pre-1790 Rutherford County, North Carolina Genealogy Wills (North Carolina State Archives)
• 1799-1802 Images of the Minutes of the Pleas and Quarter Sessions Court 1799-1802 North Carolina Pioneers ($)
• 1804-1817 Images of the Minutes of the Pleas and Quarter Sessions Court 1804-1817 North Carolina Pioneers ($)
• 1823-1833 Images of Wills and Estates 1823-1833. North Carolina Pioneers ($)
• 1831-1868 Estate Records, 1831-1868(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1835-1964 Account and Settlement Records, 1868-1964 and Index to Final Accounts, 1835-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1868-1959 Special Proceedings, 1868-1959, and Index, 1868-1950(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1868-1964 Executor Appointment Records, 1868-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1884-1964 Widow's Years Allowance Records, 1884-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1896-1963 Administrators Records, 1896-1963(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1911-1964 Guardian Records, 1911-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1921-1934 Sales of Mortgages, Trustees and Executors, 1921-1926, and Appointment of Receivers Records, 1922-1934(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• 1922-1964 Inheritance Tax Record, 1922-1964(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
• Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search

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

• 1776 Tax Lists, Tryon County, 1776 (index) in NC Taxpayers vol. 2, online at Ancestry $
• 1782 Tax Lists, Rutherford County, 1782 (index) in NC Taxpayers vol. 2, online at Ancestry $
• 1782 Tax Lists, Rutherford County, 1782 (images) online at North Carolina Digital Collections
• 1829 Tax Lists, Rutherford County, 1829 (images) online at North Carolina Digital Collections

Vital Records

• 1800-2000 North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Birth

• 1800-2000 North Carolina Birth Index 1800-2000 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
• 1866-1964 North Carolina Births and Christenings 1866-1964 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
• 1880-1932 Rutherford County Birth Index 1880-1932. Batch C752254 at FamilySearch
• 1913-1922 North Carolina, Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records Unit, County Birth Records, 1913-1922 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriage

• 1700-Onward North Carolina Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
• 1741-2004 North Carolina, United States Marriages at Findmypast
• 1741-2004 North Carolina Marriage Index 1741-2004 at Ancestry $
• 1759-1979 North Carolina Marriages 1759-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1762-1979 North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1763-1868 North Carolina, Civil Marriages, 1763-1868 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images  
• 1851-1965 Rutherford County Marriage Index 1851-1965 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Death

• 1898-1994 North Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1898-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1906-1930 North Carolina Deaths 1906-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images Also at: MyHeritage ($)
• 1908-2004 North Carolina Death Indexes 1908-2004 at Ancestry $
• 1909-1975 North Carolina Death Certificates 1909-1975 at Ancestry $
• 1931-1994 North Carolina Deaths 1931-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Divorce

• 1926-1975 North Carolina, County Divorce Records, 1926-1975 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1958-2004 North Carolina Divorce Index 1958-2004 at Ancestry $

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Rutherford County. For state-wide archival repositories, see North Carolina 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

• Asheville North Carolina FamilySearch Center
• Brevard North Carolina FamilySearch Center
• Forest City North Carolina FamilySearch Center
• Lincolnton North Carolina FamilySearch Center
• Marion North Carolina FamilySearch Center

• Buncombe County Public Library - an affiliate library
• Henderson County North Carolina Public Library - an affiliate library

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Rutherford County. For state-wide library facilities, see North Carolina Archives and Libraries.

Rutherford County Library System
255 Callahan Koon Rd
Spindale, NC 28169
Phone: 828-287-6115
Email: library@rutherfordcountync.gov
Facebook
Website

Societies

Listed below are societies in Rutherford County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see North Carolina Societies.

Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County
319 Doggett Rd
PO Box 938
Forest City, NC 28043-0938
Phone: 828-247-8700
Email: abrad959@aol.com
Facebook
Website

Websites

• USGenWeb project May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
• North Carolina Pioneers $
• 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.