Orange County Genealogy
The county was formed in 1752 from parts of Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County. It was named for the infant William V of Orange, whose mother Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was then regent of the Dutch Republic.
In 1771 Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County. Another part was combined with parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County to form Wake County. The southern part of what remained became Chatham County.
In 1777 the northern half of what was left of Orange County became Caswell County. In 1849 the western third of the still shrinking county became Alamance County. Finally, in 1881 the eastern half of the county’s remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County.
From the Wikipedia.
The county seat of Orange County is Hillsborough and the county is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Orange County Genealogy Resources
Orange County NCGenWeb Archives
Durham-Orange Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4703
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4703
Chapel Hill Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 503
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0503
Hillsborough Historical Society
P.O. Box 871
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Government
Orange County Government Official Site
200 South Cameron St., PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8181
Register of Deeds Office – online search
228 S. Churton Street, Suite 300
Hillsborough, NC.
Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, excluding holidays
Orange County Public Library
Orange County Main Library
137 W. Margaret Ln; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone (919) 245-2525; Fax (919) 644-3003
Operating Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm
Thursday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: Closed
Carrboro Branch Library
Located in McDougle Middle School
900 Old Fayetteville Rd; Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone (919) 969-3006; Fax (919) 969-3008
Operating Hours
Monday – Thursday: 3:30 pm – 8 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday: 1 pm – 5 pm
Carrboro Cybrary
100 N Greensboro St; Carrboro, NC 27510
Phone: (919) 918-7387; Fax: (919) 918-3960
New Operating Hours Beginning July 1, 2010
Monday – Friday: 9 am to 3 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Cedar Grove Branch
5800 NC HWY 86 N; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 732-9211; Fax: (919) 732-3899
Operating Hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday: Closed
Census
1850 Federal Census Transcription (No index?)
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Orange County
Cities and Towns of Orange County
There are three incorporated municipalities located primarily in Orange County: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. However, parts of the City of Mebane in Alamance County are located in Orange County.
Unincorporated Places:
* Blackwood
* Buckhorn (also known as Cheeks Crossroads)
* Caldwell
* Calvander
* Carr
* Cedar Grove
* Dodsons Crossroads
* Dogwood Acres
* Efland
* Eno
* Eubanks
* Fairview, Hillsborough
* Hurdle Mills
* Laws
* McDade
* Miles
* Oaks
* Orange Grove
* Piney Grove
* Rougemont
* Schley
* Teer
* University (formerly known as Glenn)
* White Cross
Query Forums
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Orange County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Orange County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
1flynbird on “William Gourley/Gorley/Goley”
1850 census shows him as being born in Orange County and shows his eldest son John as being born in Orange County also. Family tales say he was born in Paris, France, moved to Canada and taught in a college there before coming to settle in North Carolina (purchasing a home in the Hillsbourgh District of Coleridge, Randolph Co. NC). Going by his age in the 1850 census he would have been born abt 1795. I have his son’s John’s birth at abt 1916/1917. Which would have made William 21 when he had his first child. So, I’m thinking the birthdates are either incorrect or perhaps it was Williams father who did the immigrating. I did find a William Gorley from Orange Co. who married first a Polly Uless and then a Mary Euliss (Polly’s surname is probably Euliss also). The family story says he went to court and changed his name from Gourley to Goley. Since I’ve found no court records and no Gourley’s in the “right” areas, and his son John and one of John’s son’s used the Gorley spelling in at least one record, I think the family story might be incorrect. I have hit a brick wall with this. If anyone has any information or ideas for me…I would love having them.
lcduncan on “Duncan/Durham/Freshwater/Blalock”
I am researching these names in
Orange, Alamance, Person, Granville, Durham counties.
rodney bowers on “Britton Bowers”
Looking for info on Britton Bowers, b ca 1763 Southampton, VA, who was married to Lucretia Land and was in Orange County ca 1830. Would also like to know the names of his five children. Thanks. Rodney Bowers
News related to Orange County, NC
“orange county” nc – Google News
Big Earl draws attention – The Carrboro Citizen
 The Carrboro Citizen |
Big Earl draws attention
The Carrboro Citizen But while residents here are slowly dropping their guard now that the threat appears to be passing, emergency management officials in Orange County are … |
Is it really possible to opt-out of Secure Communities? – Huffington Post (blog)
|
Is it really possible to opt-out of Secure Communities?
Huffington Post (blog) While the new memo suggests Secure Communities is voluntary, it definitely seemed mandatory when Orange County, North Carolina tried to opt-out in January … |
UNC sacks Marvin Austin for violating rules – Boston Herald
 Kansas City Star |
UNC sacks Marvin Austin for violating rules
Boston Herald He is scheduled to be in Orange County District Court on Sept. 15 for the following charges: a Feb. 10 citation for a misdemeanor noise ordinance violation; … Austin Suspended Indefinitely UNC suspends Marvin Austin indefinitely Tar Heels suspend football player Marvin Austin indefinitely |
Orange County resident opens home to wildlife rehab, rescue – The Pendulum
|
Orange County resident opens home to wildlife rehab, rescue
The Pendulum CLAWS fan Alli Ramirez releases a rehabilitated bird into the wild Sunday at Anderson Park in Carrboro, NC. … |
NC man pleads guilty to 2nd child killing – Greenville Daily Reflector
|
NC man pleads guilty to 2nd child killing
Greenville Daily Reflector Multiple media outlets reported that 61-year-old George Richard Fisher pleaded guilty Wednesday in Orange County court in Hillsborough to first-degree … |
Unemployment Drops Across NC – WCHL 1360
 WCHL 1360 |
Unemployment Drops Across NC
WCHL 1360 ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes says moderate gains in job growth were offset by declines in school employment. Locally, Orange County's unemployment rate dropped … |
