Mecklenburg County Genealogy
Sign up for our North Carolina Genealogy newsletter:
Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from the western part of Anson County. It was named for the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), who had become queen consort of King George III the previous year. She is also the eponym of Mecklenburg County’s county seat and largest city, Charlotte.
In 1768 the part of Mecklenburg County west of the Catawba River became Tryon County. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was allegedly signed on May 20, 1775; if the document is indeed genuine, Mecklenburg County was the first part of the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from Great Britain. Some have disputed the the story of the Mecklenburg Declaration. Saying it was written around 1800 as an attempt to reconstruct from memory the 1775 Mecklenburg Resolves, the Resolves fell short of a full declaration of independence. The argument is that the writer of the 1800 document misunderstood the Resolves as a Declaration of Independence and borrowed language from the United States Declaration of Independence. “Meck Dec Day” was celebrated on May 20 in North Carolina although it’s no longer an official holiday. For more on the Mecklenburg Declaration you can visit cmstory.org.
In 1792 the northeastern part of Mecklenburg County became Cabarrus County. Finally, in 1842 the southeastern part of Mecklenburg County was combined with the western part of Anson County to become Union County.
During the September-October British occupation of Charlotte the city was nicknamed a “Hornet’s Nest” by Banastre Tarleton. That name stuck and is a symbol still used in Charlotte for their city. (It also lended the name to the Hornet’s basketball franchise which have since moved.) October 3, 1780 there was a skirmish at McIntyre’s Farm sometimes referred to as the Battle of McIntyre’s farm or the McIntyre Skirmish. It was located (then) 7 miles from Charlotte. It took place when a party of 300 Redcoats went on a foraging expedition towards the vicinity of Hopewell Baptist Church. They met fierce resistance from a group of 14 which forced them to return back to Charlotte. (Their headquarters was at the Thomas Polk house.) This may be one of the better documented skirmishes of that occupation, but I’m sure it wasn’t the only event leading them to term this area a Hornet’s Nest.
James Knox Polk, the eleventh President of the United States, was born here in 1795 in what is now Pineville. From the Wikipedia.
Charlotte has seen aggressive growth in recent years expanding into the townships that were previously known. The census still tracks these (except for Sharon), but outside of statistical purposes they are not used:
* Charlotte Township – completely annexed into the City of Charlotte
* Mallard Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Crab Orchard Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Clear Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte and Mint Hill annexation
* Morning Star Township – almost entirely annexed by Charlotte, Mint Hill, and Matthews
* Sharon Township – completely annexed into Charlotte and eliminated
* Providence Township – almost entirely annexed into Charlotte
* Pineville Township – mostly annexed by the City of Pineville
* Steele Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Berryhill Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Paw Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Long Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Deweese Township – reduced by Davidson and Cornelius annexation
* Huntersville Township – reduced by Huntersville annexation
* Lemley Township – mostly beneath Lake Norman since it was created in 1963, and reduced by Huntersville annexation
Mecklenburg County Genealogy Resources
Mecklenburg County NCGenWeb Archives
Mecklenburg County Genealogy site
Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 32453
Charlotte, NC 28232
Historic Places in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County Government
Charlotte Mecklenburg Official Site
Mecklenburg Register of Deeds/Vital Records
Census
1790 Federal Census Transcription
1910 Federal Census Transcription – Partial Transcription of ED108
Mecklenburg County Cemeteries
USGS Listing of Cemeteries in Mecklenburg County, NC
Mecklenburg County Cemetery Census
Query Forums
Mecklenburg County, NC Query Forum
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Mecklenburg County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Mecklenburg County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
travel1944 on “John Short- 1807- ? Died before 1860″
John Short was my g, g grandfather and was married to Nancy. They had seven children as follows:
George Washington Short- (1830-1912) Died in Mississippi, Civil War veteran
Mary Short- (1832-
John Short Jr- (1836- Went to Mississippi, Civil War veteran
Minor JacKson Short- (1837-1930) Died in Union County, NC, Civil War veteran (my great grandfather)
Sarah Short- (1840
James E Short- (1843- stayed in NC, Civil War veteran
I am trying to find ancestors of both John and Nancy- can anyone help? Thanks
DavisVP on “DUDLEY Family 1920 to present”
My Great Grandfather is John William Strauss Dudley (m. to Chess Rutledge). I think they had 4 daughters (Hattie, Mary, Florence (or Wayne) and Faith). I have lost touch with this line and would like to connect with them. If you have any information, I would appreciate it. Thank you!
rodney bowers on “william hannah/hanna”
looking for willliam hannah, b 1751 mecklenburg, who was probably married to jane white. he lived in the tryon, nc/york, sc region until around 1780 and was in greene co., tn, by 1787 and died there around 1818. he was probably the son of william, b 1725 ulster, ireland, who died 1769 in mecklenburg and margaret brandon, who died after 1770. thanks. rodney bowers
Kennith A. Simpson on “Trying to locate information”
John W. Simpson, born 1803, North Carolina, unable to find any record of him. May have been born in Mecklenburg NC. Died 1888 Wyoming West Virginia. J. W. Simpson, born 1811 Mecklenburg NC, not same John W.
Also, invstigating rumor that Cherokee Indians, made a raid from Virginia into North Carolina after 1803 took J. W. Simpson captive and removed him to Virginia (what was to become West Virginia). Can not verify this information. Searching for any record of Indian Raids in area resulting in captives being taken, during the trail of tears.
Thanks for any help you may give.
Looking for any information on Linsey (Lindsy) Adams. He is an African American male who was born in Charlotte, North Carolina sometime around 1883. He is noted as being light brown. His occupation was a minister. At some point, he left NC and went to SC – which is where he met and married my great grandmother Iola. Any information on his parents, siblings or any decendents would be greatly appreciated.
glad on “McGehee, McGhee,McGee in Mecklenburg”
I am looking for parents, siblings and first wife for my William McGehee/McGhee/McGee and sometimes McKee. William was a Rev War Patriot from Mecklenburg and lived about 12 miles from Charlotte. He lived there until about 1803 then migrated to Montgomery Co., TN, Christian Co., KY then onto Illinois where he died 1843 in McLean Co. His know children were William Jr, Mary who married Rev Thomas Tovrea, and Elishua. His unknown first wife, my ancestor died prior to 1810 when he married a second time to Rebecca Satterfield Downs in Montgomery Co., TN. Rebecca was the widow of William Downs who I suspect was also from Mecklenburg.
Mecklenburg County, NC at Genforum
News related to Mecklenburg County, NC
“mecklenburg county” nc – Google News
I-77′s Exit 36 to get a new interchange – Charlotte Observer
|
I-77's Exit 36 to get a new interchange
Charlotte Observer By Joe Marusak I-85 at Poplar Tent Road and NC 73 in Cabarrus County. Land clearing and utility relocations are under way at both interchanges, which could open in summer 2013. I-485 at Mallard Creek Road in northern Mecklenburg County. |
Norovirus spreading rapidly in Mecklenburg Co. nursing homes – WSOC Charlotte
|
Norovirus spreading rapidly in Mecklenburg Co. nursing homes
WSOC Charlotte "This virus spreads pretty quickly from person to person," said Dr. Lenonard Williams, who studies the virus at the North Carolina Research Campus. He said he hasn't seen it spread like this in Mecklenburg County in a long time. Earlier in the week, … |
NC mother accused of tampering with daughter’s IV – WRAL.com
 Daily Mail |
NC mother accused of tampering with daughter's IV
WRAL.com CHARLOTTE, NC â A 26-year-old Conover woman is accused by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police of tampering with her 5-month-old daughter's intravenous line at a local hospital. Ladonna Kaye Parlier of Conover is charged with five counts each of felony child … Woman accused of tampering with infant daughter's IV Teen robbed, kidnapped at light rail platform |
|
The NC Center for Women in Public Service Hosts Panel on Engaging Women Leaders
PR.com (press release) She was appointed to the Mecklenburg County Women's Advisory Board, which consists of 15 members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, for a three-year term ending April 2012. – Andrea Huff – Huff was a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer … |
North Carolina’s $2.6B health plan with Blue Cross up for bid – Bizjournals.com
|
North Carolina's $2.6B health plan with Blue Cross up for bid
Bizjournals.com Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is the largest health insurer in Mecklenburg County, based on enrollment of more than 84000. Blue Cross has held the state service contract nearly every year since the NC General Assembly outsourced the work … |
Duke gift aids medical center low-cost clinic – Salisbury Post
|
Duke gift aids medical center low-cost clinic
Salisbury Post $438000 to Carolinas HealthCare Foundation to help implement a childhood obesity prevention plan in Mecklenburg County. ⢠$109000 to SAFEchild for a program that helps mothers in Wake County who have been exposed to domestic violence. |
Sign up for our North Carolina Genealogy newsletter:
