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Birth Certificates
1913 to current |
The State of North Carolina officially began keeping birth
certificates in 1913. In some outlaying counties, it was a little later.
Birth certificates contain such information as the name of the child,
where the child was born, the names of the parents and their age at the
time of the birth, occupations, number of children already in the
household, etc. |
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Delayed
Birth Certificates (delayed births) |
Individuals who were
born before birth registrations or failed to have a birth
certificate, can apply for a delayed birth certificate. Go
to "Delayed Births" for more
information. |
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Death Certificates
1913 to current |
The State of North Carolina officially began keeping death
certificates in 1913. To locate a date of death for those ancestors who
died prior to 1913, you must use such records as wills, headstones, and
family Bibles.
Death certificates contain such information as the date
of death, the date of birth, parents' names, and cause of death.
Keep in
mind that information supplied for the death certificate is given by an
"Informant" and may contain inaccuracies. |
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Marriage Records
1867 to current |
In North Carolina's early history, couples got married in various
manners and often, without an official record of the event. Until 1868,
there were officially two ways to get married in the state. The
publication of banns in which a marriage would be announced in church on
three consecutive Sundays was the first method. If there was no
objection, the couple was free to wed. A certificate was supposed to be
prepared stating that this procedure had been followed, but did not have
to be filed anywhere.
The second method, from 1741-1868 involved a
marriage bond. The bridegroom obtained a marriage bond from the Clerk of
the County Court in the county in which the intended bride resided.
The
bond represented the couples intention to marry, not that the marriage
actually occurred. Bonds contained such information as the names of the
bride and groom, the name of the bondsman and of the witness (often the
clerk of court).
Marriage licenses existed for most of North Carolina's
history but was not required to be kept until 1851.
In 1868, bonds were
discontinued and the Register of Deeds in each county issued marriage
licenses. |
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Wills |
The person who makes a will is known as a "testator" and the
individuals who receive from the estate are known as "devisees".
An
"Executor" is the person who carries out the wishes of the testator. If
that person is a female, she is known as an "Executrix".
The process in
which the will becomes official is known as "probate."
Contact the Clerk
of Court for Rockingham County at (336) 342-8700 and ask for the Wills
and Estates Department. You may write to them at:
Rockingham County
Clerk of Court
PO Box 127
Wentworth, NC 27375 |
Please provide the following for uncertified
copies:
For births:
- provide the full name
of the person for whom the request is sought
- the mother's name as
it appears on the birth certificate
- the father's name as
it appears on the birth certificate
- year of birth
- check made payable to
the "Register of Deeds" for $.25 for each uncertified
copy requested, plus $1 processing fee
- a stamped,
self-addressed envelope
For deaths:
- provide the full name
of the person for whom the request is sought
- where the person died
- year of death
- check made payable to
the "Register of Deeds" for for $.25 for each
uncertified copy requested, plus $1 processing fee
- a stamped,
self-addressed envelope
For marriages:
- provide the name of
the groom
- maiden name of the
bride
- year of marriage
- check made payable to
the "Register of Deeds" for for $.25 for each
uncertified copy requested, plus $1 processing fee
- a stamped,
self-addressed envelope
If the above information cannot be provided, we
suggest that you contact any of the following for assistance:
The Genealogical Society of
Rockingham and Stokes Counties
P. O. Box 152
Mayodan, NC 27027
http://www.geocities.com/cyberweed40/index.html
The Rockingham County
Historical Society
P. O. Box 84
Wentworth, NC 27375
336-342-5901
http://www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com
NC Department of Archives & History:
109 East Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2807
919-733-3952
http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/records
The American History &
Genealogy Project Site hosted by USGenNet
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nc/county/rockingham1/indexrockincst1.htm
An attorney or
paralegal
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