Chatham County Genealogy
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The county was formed in 1771 from Orange County. It was named, like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1758, for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who served as British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1768 and opposed harsh colonial policies.
In 1907 parts of Chatham County and Moore County were combined to form Lee County. The award winning PBS Documentary Family Name notes Chatham County as the place the relationship between the African-American and European-American branches of the Alston family originated. George Moses Horton, Historic Poet Laureate of Chatham County, North Carolina (1797?-1883) lived most of his life in Chatham County and is among the few slaves to have published material while still a slave.
Source Wikipedia
The Cape Fear river begins in Chatham County where the Haw and Deep River’s join. This is below B. Everett Jordan Lake which is used for flood control and as a reservoir. It is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s also part of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The county is in North Carolina Slate Belt and the groundwater is full of minerals for which a resort near Mt. Vernon Springs gained renown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The resort is gone, but the springs are owned by a local Church. Chatham county is also home to the only workable coal deposits in the state of North Carolina.
The county seat of Chatham County is Pittsboro. Chatham County contains the following townships: Albright, Baldwin, Bear Creek, Cape Fear, Center, Gulf, Hadley, Haw River, Hickory Mountain, Matthews, New Hope, Oakland, and Williams.
Sites of interest in Chatham County are the Carnivore Preservation Trust, Chatham County Historical Museuem, Jordan Lake Educational State Forest, the North Carolina Railroad Museum and the Fearrington Village and House.
Chatham County NCGenweb Site
Chatham County NCGenweb Archives (Digital Library)
Chatham County Historical Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 913
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Chatham County Courthouse
PO Box 87
County Courthouse
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Chatham County Public Libraries
The Wren Memorial Library
500 N. 2nd Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344
Census
1790 Federal Census – Hillsborough District – transcription
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 1 of 3
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 2 of 3
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 3 of 3
1820 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1820 Federal Census transcription Directory opens to listing of text files 1820cena.txt through 1820cend.txt
1830 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1840 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1850 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1850 Federal Census and Index transcribed Directory opens to listing of text files for index *(idx .txt) and text files by page number (pg .txt)
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Lower regiment
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Lower regiment – Free blacks
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Upper Regiment
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Upper Regiment – Free Blacks
Cemeteries
USGS listing of Cemeteries of Chatham County
Query Forums
Chatham County, NC Query Forum
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Chatham County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Chatham County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
Daniel Murphree is my fifth great grandfather, there is a question whether he is born in Bertie County or Ireland, I do beleive he died in Chatham County. Anyone researching this family ( who later moved to South Carolina, I would like to hear from you. Betty
Daniel Murphree is my fifth great grandfather, there is a question whether he is born in Bertie County or Ireland, I do beleive he died in Chatham County. Anyone researching this family ( who later moved to South Carolina, I would like to hear from you. Betty
I have a Barnabas Thomas, born in N.C. c.1785, possibly in Chatham County. Seek any information about siblings, parents. Thank you.
Pat Chandler on “James Emerson”
Researching James Emerson m. Margaret Moore d.1786 in Chatham Co. NC. Does anyone know the names of his children.
Ann on “Obediah William Leonard b abt 1775″
I am researching Obediah William Leonard Sr b abt 1775 in N C m Sarah Williams abt 1795. I have the son of Obediah William and Sarah as Obediah Jr. b 1795 and Thomas b abt 1780 in Grayson Co Virginia. Obediah Sr. d abt 1870 in Sebastain Co. Ark. Can anyone tell me who was Obediah William’s his first wife?
Chatham County, NC at Genforum
Cities and towns of Chatham County:
Bear Creek
Bennett
Bonlee
Bynum
Fearrington Village
Goldston
Gulf
Harpers Crossroads
Moncure
Pittsboro (County Seat)
Siler City
Silk Hope
News related to Chatham County, NC
“chatham county” nc – Google News
Ex-speaker Hackney won’t run for NC House in 2012 – MyrtleBeachOnline.com
 The Daily Tar Heel |
Ex-speaker Hackney won't run for NC House in 2012
MyrtleBeachOnline.com Hackney, D-Orange, the current House minority leader, released a statement saying he was looking forward to a more predictable schedule with his family, law practice and the Chatham County farm that he and his brother operate. Now in his 16th term, … Ex-speaker Hackney won't run for re-election |
A Short Drive from Cary: Top 5 Things to Do in Chatham County – CaryCitizen
 CaryCitizen |
A Short Drive from Cary: Top 5 Things to Do in Chatham County
CaryCitizen Pittsboro, NC â Whether you call Chatham County home or are just visiting, you'll find plenty to do and see. From crusty pizza to hot air ballooning, biking, hiking and antiquing, here are my Top 5 Things To Do In Chatham County. |
Harold’s Blog: Land in Chatham County – CaryCitizen
 CaryCitizen |
Harold's Blog: Land in Chatham County
CaryCitizen Cary, NC â This week was a tough week for me with a council meeting and two speaking engagements. Monday started with calls to council members about concerns or issues they had with the agenda. I contacted every council member and there were very few … |
House Minority Leader Joe Hackney to retire – abc11.com
 abc11.com |
House Minority Leader Joe Hackney to retire
abc11.com The former two-term North Carolina House speaker from Chapel Hill released a statement saying he looks forward to a "more predictable schedule" for his family, law practice and the Chatham County farm he and his brother operate. |
Free income-tax preparation – The Carrboro Citizen
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Free income-tax preparation
The Carrboro Citizen By Staff The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program, sponsored by the Chatham County Council on Aging and Chatham/Orange RSVP, will provide free income-tax return assistance to lower- and middle-income taxpayers of all ages in Chatham County. |
Old Chatham Golf Club Celebrates Ten Years of Excellence – SBWire (press release)
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Old Chatham Golf Club Celebrates Ten Years of Excellence
SBWire (press release) Durham, NC — (SBWIRE) — 01/13/2012 — Allen Wilson, President of Durham's prestigious Old Chatham Golf Club, is thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of the private golf course. The club, tucked away in Northeast corner of Chatham County, … |
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