Johnston County Genealogy
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The county was formed in 1746 from Craven County. It was named for Gabriel Johnston, Governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752.
In 1752 parts of Johnston County, Bladen County, and Granville County were combined to form Orange County. In 1758 the eastern part of Johnston County became Dobbs County. In 1770 parts of Johnston County, Cumberland County, and Orange County were combined to form Wake County. Finally, in 1855 parts of Johnston County, Edgecombe County, Nash County, and Wayne County were combined to form Wilson County. Source Wikipedia
The county seat of Johnston County is Smithfield. There are several historical sites located in Johnston County including the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site which is the largest Civil War battle site in North Carolina. The battle of Bentonville took place March 19-21, 1865 and was an attempt to stop General Sherman’s march through the south. There’s also an Ava Gardner museum (she was born and grew up in Johnston County), a Tobacco Farm Life Museum and the Johnston County Heritage Center.
Johnston County is divided into the following townships: Banner, Bentonville, Beulah, Boon Hill, Clayton, Cleveland, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, Micro, O’Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove, Selma, Smithfield, Wilders, and Wilson Mills.
Johnston County Genealogy Resources
Johnston County NCGenWeb Archives
Johnston County Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 2373
Smithfield, NC 27577
Johnston County Government
Johnston County Courthouse
PO Box 1049
County Courthouse
Smithfield, NC 27577
Census
1784-1786 State Census Transcription
1790 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1800 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1810 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1820 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1830 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1840 Federal Census Transcription – sorted by last name
1850 Federal Census Index – by last name only
Tax Records
1750 Quit Rent detailed transcription
1750 Quit Rent summary of names listed
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Johnston County
Johnston County Cemetery Census
Query Forums
Johnston County, NC Query Forum
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Johnston County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Johnston County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
rickrider on “John Moore b. abt 1832, Elias Moore b. abt. 1868″
Hello all. I am new to this site. My great grandfather is Elias Henry Moore, born about 1868, likely in Ingrams, Johnston County. He was married to Sudie Tharrington. They had 3 children: Ethel D. Moore Harris, Alvin Moore, Carson Ragland Moore (my grandfaterh). His father was John Moore who may have also been born in Johnston County about 1832. He was marreid to Cathern (Cathran, Cathrine)born about 1832. They had children: Susan, Cathern, Elly, Marry, Benjamine, Elias. Family word says we came from the Isle of Jura and migrated up the Cape Fear River. Please help with any information you might have. Thank you.
CarolynViking on “Surles, Jr., John of Smithville”
born circa 1920s
married Ruth Madelyn Purvis
Son Surles, James Phillip
DOB 6/2/49 in Raleigh NC
DOD 3/6/75, Boston, MA Buried 3/10 at Camb. Cemetary
I’m new to searching in NC – thanks for any help
Carolyn karma45@comcast.net
jorskippy on “Jordan/Avent/Ham/Edmundson/Taylor/Greene”
I am seeking information on the Frederick Jordan family of Dobbs, Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir County, North Carolina. I have some information that I am willing to share. Frederick Jordan married Winniford Avent around 1758. They had a large family: Aven Jordan (1760)married Elizabeth ULN and moved to Jefferson County, GA in the early 1800′s; Pryor Jordan (1762) married a Lane; Penelope (1768) married Henry Smith (1765)and continued to live in Wayne County, NC; Dicey (1770) married Erastus Ham (1760) around 1790 in Greene County, NC; Frederick Jordan, Jr. (1772) married Elizabeth Pridgen and moved to Jefferson Co. GA in the early 1800′s;Elizabeth(1768)married Thomas Charlie “Goldie” Holmes and gradually moved to Newton County Texas by way of Salem, SC, Hancock, MS; Mathew (1776) married Susannah Taylor and moved to Jefferson county, Ga in the early 1800′s; Clarkey (1778) ; Vicey (1780) married John J. Edmundson and raised a family and died in Greene County, NC; Charles *1782) the youngest son who inheirted the plantation and I don’t know what happened to him; and Amy Jordan (1782) married an Exum. Any assistance to more information would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks
mountainman52 on “Information on White Family”
Looking for any information on a Simon T. White or Pharoah White sons of Jonathon White and Nanny Cordell during 1810-1830 period. Supposedly came from Johnston County.
Thanks in advance,
Mr. White
rodney bowers on “Elizabeth Ingram, wife of Samuel Lee”
Looking for the family of Elizabeth Ingram, b 1802 in Johnston Co, wife of Samuel Lee.
Johnston County, NC at Genforum
Cities and towns of Johnston County:
Archers Lodge
Bagley
Benson
Clayton
Emit
Four Oaks
Kenly
Micro
Middlesex
Pine Level
Princeton
Selma
Smithfield (County Seat)
Whitley Heights
Wilsons Mills
News related to Johnston County, NC
“johnston county” nc – Google News
Apex council member fights DWI – News & Observer
 The Independent Weekly |
Apex council member fights DWI
News & Observer Scott Lassiter, a Johnston County school teacher who was sworn in as a new Town Council member in December, is scheduled to go to Wake County Superior Court in mid-March to fight the conviction. Lassiter and his attorney James Crouch have asked for a … Citing acid reflux, Apex Councilor appeals DWI conviction |
Woman petitions Johnston County to remove magistrate – WRAL.com
 WRAL.com |
Woman petitions Johnston County to remove magistrate
WRAL.com Smithfield, NC â A Johnston County woman filed a petition Wednesday that could lead to the removal of a magistrate who is facing charges after allegedly threatening to kill a crime suspect. Sam Blake Jr. was charged last week with communicating … |
 WRAL.com |
Caterpillar's $33 Million Expansion to Create Almost 200 Jobs in North Carolina
Area Development Online Caterpillar Inc. plans to invest $33 million to expand its manufacturing facilities in Johnston County, North Carolina, and create 199 jobs over the next five years according to an announcement made by Gov. Bev Perdue. Based in Peoria, Illinois, … Caterpillar expanding in Johnston County Governor says Cat adding jobs in North Carolina Caterpillar to expand in Clayton, may be eyeing another NC plant |
Infestation forces residents from Smithfield assisted living center – WRAL.com
 WRAL.com |
Infestation forces residents from Smithfield assisted living center
WRAL.com Inspections at Autumn Wind Assisted Living, at 4302 NC Highway 210, showed problems with mice and cockroaches since 2008, said Larry Sullivan, Johnston County's environmental health director. Owner Ade Ganiyu has hired an exterminator as needed to … |
Johnston Health has received seven proposals – News & Observer
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Johnston Health has received seven proposals
News & Observer BY COLIN CAMPBELL – ccampbell@newsobserver.com SMITHFIELD — Seven health-care companies from around the state have submitted proposals to partner with Johnston County's hospital system. In November, Johnston Health invited larger hospital companies to … |
Charge: Prison visitor was smuggling drugs – WRAL.com
 WRAL.com |
Charge: Prison visitor was smuggling drugs
WRAL.com Smithfield, NC â A woman who started her day Thursday as a visitor at Johnston Correctional Center in Smithfield ended it as a guest of the state at the Johnston County Jail. Tammy Amaon, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said Valenica Dawn Williams … |
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