North Carolina Genealogy

Rutherford County was formed in 1779 and was named for Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford. He had led a campaign against the Cherokee in 1776 and was in the Revolutionary War. In 1791 parts of Rutherford were used to form Buncombe County. Further land was used to create Lincoln and Cleveland Counties as well as McDowell, and Polk Counties.

The county seat of Rutherford County is Rutherfordton. The county is divided into the following townships: Camp Creek, Chimney Rock, Colfax, Cool Spring, Duncans Creek, Gilkey, Golden Valley, Green Hill, High Shoals, Logan Store, Morgan, Rutherfordton, Sulphur Springs, and Union.

Notable sites in Rutherford County are Lake Lure (Filming location of parts of the movie Dirty Dancing) and Chimney Rock (now a State Park) where parts of the 1990′s movie Last of the Mohican’s was filmed. (Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeline Stowe and Wes Studi had prominent roles in the film.)

Rutherford County Genealogy Resources

Rutherford County NCGenWeb

Rutherford County NCGenWeb Archives

Rutherford County Genealogy Site (at rootsweb)

Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County
P.O. Box 938
Forest City, NC 28043

Broad River Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 2261
Shelby, NC 28150-2261
(covers Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Henderson and Rutherford Counties in NC, and a few SC counties)

Rutherford County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1044
Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Rutherford County Government

Rutherford County Government – Official site
Rutherford County Register of Deeds
229 N. Main St.
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Mailing: PO BOX 551
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: 828-287-6155
or 828-287-6195
Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm M-F

Rutherford County Library
Hours
Monday – Friday 9am – 5:30pm
Saturday 10am – 1pm
Phone
(828)287-6115
Address
255 Callahan Koon Road
Spindale, NC 28160
FAX
(828)287-6119

Haynes Branch
Hours
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 12pm
Phone
(828)657-9110
Address
141 N. Main Street, Suite 110
Henrietta, NC 28076
FAX
(828)657-5278

Mountains Branch
Hours
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 12pm
Phone
(828)625-0456
Address
150 Bill’s Creek Road
Lake Lure, NC 28746

Cities and Towns:

* Alexander Mills (merged with Forest City)
* Bostic
* Chimney Rock
* Ellenboro
* Forest City
* Lake Lure
* Ruth
* Rutherfordton
* Spindale

Townships:

Camp Creek
Chimney Rock
Colfax
Cool Spring
Duncans Creek
Gilkey
Golden Valley
Green Hill
High Shoals
Logan Store
Morgan
Rutherfordton
Sulphur Springs
Union

Tax Records

1782 Rutherford County Tax List (1782.txt) (53.3 KB)

Census

1790 Federal Census Index

1800 Federal Census Index

1810 Federal Census Index – A-K

1810 Federal Census Index – L-Z

1820 Federal Census Index

1830 Federal Census Index – A-K

1830 Federal Census Index – L-Z

1840 Federal Census Index – A-K

1840 Federal Census Index – L-Z

1850 Federal Census Index – A-F

1850 Federal Census Index – G-M

1850 Federal Census Index – N-Z

1860 Federal Census Transcription

1870 Federal Census Index

Cemeteries

USGS listing of cemeteries in Rutherford County

Cemetery Transcriptions – part 1
Cemetery Transcriptions – part 2

Query Forums

Rutherford County, NC Query Forum

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

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

SusanKSpies on “WEEKS, Delila and sons”

Delila WEEKS had 5 children…..Harp, Quillen, Luther, Avery and Willis. All born in the 1860′s or so. But who was their father? Who were Delila’s parents? Grandparents?

If you have any answers to this mystery, I would appreciate your help.

Thank you.

Susan Cloutier Spies

Ancesterfan on “Rippy’s of Rutherford and Cleveland Counties of North Carolina”

I have much information on many of the Edward Rippy abt 1829 wife Susannah Thomas b1721. I am in need of information on James Martin Rippy, b 1793 in Rutherford County, parents, Edward Rippy b1764 and Mary Elmore b1761. This James Martin Rippy married twice, it is the first wife that I am trying to locate information. I am given several names: one is Mary Polly Arnold Holt.. another is Minirose Rippy. James married again in 1846 to Rebecca Francis. They married in Rutherford County, NC. James and Rebecca moved from North Carolinia in early 1850 I believe. I have a will dated 1854 from Bedford County, TN. The first wife, the one I am looking for, is the mother of all of his children but one. Any leads you could give me would be most appreciated. I will be happy to share any information I have that you may need.

WIFE: Mary Polly Arnold Holt or Minirose Rippy …
born abt 1785 and died after 1831.

reply to chuckmurray@cox.net
Thank you.

Jean Fuller on “James Henderson Adair (b abt 1814-1816)”

I am Looking for father and mother and grandparents of James Henderson Adair born abt 1814 thru 1816. Father of James Sherman Adair (1863-1896). james Henderson Adair is father of two boys hung for murder in Rutherford Co., N.C. I am great great grandaughter in Michigan and need help. I am fairly new at this, I have exhausted the internet.

kevhar on “John Withrow (1719-1796)”

I am looking for information about John Withrow (1719-1796) who married Mary. His son James was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. His daughter married Robert Rankins, who was also in the War. I have found a reference that refers to John being in the War, but I can’t find proof.

I am a direct descendant of John Withrow (1719-1796) and would be happy to correspond and share information with anyone who is interested.

Thanks,
Kevin Harris
kevin@harfam.org

Rutherford County, NC at Genforum

News related to Rutherford County, NC

“rutherford county” nc – Google News

Wild, weird Spring weather as funnel clouds swarm NC county – WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Wild, weird Spring weather as funnel clouds swarm NC county WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC There were numerous reports and photos and video of funnel clouds in western North Carolina Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service says the funnel clouds were seen over central Rutherford County in towns of Spindale, Forest City and Marion. and more »

Second Legion team for county players ready to crank up – Hickory Daily Record

Second Legion team for county players ready to crank up Hickory Daily Record NEWTON, N.C. – Two American Legion baseball teams will play games in Catawba County this summer. The Carolina Heat will join Area IV with Hickory Post 48 but will play in the East Division, while Post 48 remains in the West Division. The county teams … and more »

Riverdale’s Alexa Middleton commits to Tennessee – The Daily News Journal

Riverdale's Alexa Middleton commits to Tennessee The Daily News Journal Middleton was one of the most highly recruited girls basketball players in recent history in Rutherford County. Virtually the entire SEC offered her scholarships including Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU and Vanderbilt. Rutgers and N.C. State … and more »

PAWS trailer makes adoptions mobile – The Daily News Journal

PAWS trailer makes adoptions mobile The Daily News Journal “We bought it all through donations,” P.A.W.S. Director Michael Gregory said during an interview at the animal shelter at 285 John Rice Blvd. “Rutherford County residents helped us purchase it. There was no money from taxes that paid for this. It was …

White-nose syndrome decimates North Carolina’s bats – Asheville Citizen-Times (blog)

Asheville Citizen-Times (blog)

White-nose syndrome decimates North Carolina's bats Asheville Citizen-Times (blog) In Buncombe County, a dead bat found on the deck of a house was confirmed positive for the disease, while a Rutherford County dead bat in a cave on The Nature Conservancy's Bat Cave Preserve property also tested positive. In Swain County, two … and more »

Western NC beekeeper, farmer help bees flourish – Beaumont Enterprise

Western NC beekeeper, farmer help bees flourish Beaumont Enterprise This April 20, 2013, photo shows, Italian mutt bees housed by Beekeeper Jackson Corbin, a local beekeeper and member of the Rutherford County Beekeepers Association, at Earthperks Farm in Rutherfordton, N.C. Corbin has been beekeeping for more … and more »