North Carolina Genealogy

The county was formed in 1847 from parts of Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County. It was named for William Julius Alexander of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. Taylorsville is the county seat of Alexander County. It’s unclear if Taylorsville was named for President Zachary Taylor or John Louis Taylor a North Carolina political philospher and agriculturist. The county is home to the Alexander Railroad Company.

Although Alexander County is in the Piedmont of North Carolina in the western part of the county the terrain is dominated by the Brushy Mountains, which are a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hickory Knob and Barrett Mountain are two of the largest features in the county, Hickory Knob being the highest point in Alexander County, NC. The terrain over most of the county is gently rolling.

Alexander County is also home to the settlement of Hiddenite (unincorporated). This area is home to an emerald and Sapphire mine that also produces Hiddenite which is a form of spodumene. Hiddenite was said to be only found in this part of the world, but in recent years it has also been found in Madagscar and Brazil. It’s said that this is the only Emerald mine in the United States that is open to the public for prospecting. Source Wikipedia

Alexander County Genealogy Resources

Alexander County NCGenweb site

Alexander County NCGenWeb Archives

Alexander County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 545
Hiddenite, NC 28636

Alexander County Ancestry Association
P.O. Box 241
Hiddenite, NC 28636-0241

Alexander County Government

Alexander County Courthouse
621 Liledoun Road
County Courthouse
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Alexander Library
77 First Avenue SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Census

1850 Census index (last name only)

John N Adams – Agricultural Census 1860,1870,1880 numbers

Cemeteries

USGS listing of cemeteries in Alexander County

Cemetery Transcriptions (Rootsweb)

Cemetery Transcriptions (NCGenweb)

Query Forums

Alexander County, NC Query Forum

Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Alexander County from the Forum:

North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Alexander County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics

mardoulocke on “Looking for info on John Christopher”

Born about 1814 in North Carolina. Census records show he did reside in Alexander County at some point – as to whether he was born there I do not know. He was married to a Sarah (born abt 1820) – but I don’t know her maiden name. Any information you have is greatly appreciated.

Alexander County, NC at Genforum

Cities and towns of Alexander County:

All Healing Springs
Ellendale
Hiddenite
Kilby
Liledown
Little River
Millersville
Paynes Store
Stony Point
Taylorsville (County Seat)
Vashti

News related to Alexander County, NC

“alexander county” nc – Google News

Catawba/Alexander News – Charlotte Observer

Catawba/Alexander News Charlotte Observer Courtesy of Hiddenite Center Catawba County will offer free electronics and paint disposal 9 am-3 pm Saturday at the Blackburn Landfill, 4017 Rocky Ford Road, off NC 10 west of Newton. The severe weather date is Feb. 11. Materials that will be accepted …

Catawba Valley School News – Charlotte Observer

Catawba Valley School News Charlotte Observer Alexander County Schools will hold its annual Spelling Bee at 6 pm in the Alexander Central High auditorium. Participants should report at 5:45 pm in the stage area. The Burke County Board of Education will hold several community input meetings as part …

NASCAR legends, fans fuel museum event – Mount Airy News

NASCAR legends, fans fuel museum event Mount Airy News White, a native of Alexander County who won the points championship in 1960, also joked about Johnson's home county of Wilkes and its storied moonshining tradition. The retired racer said someone once visiting North Wilkesboro asked a man where he …

Joseph Eck makes artistic debut in Hiddenite – Statesville Record & Landmark

Joseph Eck makes artistic debut in Hiddenite Statesville Record & Landmark The Hiddenite Center recently partnered with the new Northwest NC Sustainable Rest Area and Visitor's Center, which is located in North Wilkesboro and serves as a gateway to the mountains, to bring an Alexander County artist's work to show at the …