Rutherford County Genealogy
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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 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
1810 Federal Census Index – A-K
1810 Federal Census Index – L-Z
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
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
Officials Asking For Help Finding Missing, Endangered Rutherford Co. Man – News Channel 7
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Officials Asking For Help Finding Missing, Endangered Rutherford Co. Man
News Channel 7 Officials are asking people to be on the lookout for a missing and endangered man from Rutherford County, NC. The Center for Missing Persons has issued a Silver Alert for 61-year-old Steven Hawkins of Forest City. Hawkins is believed to be suffering … Silver Alert issued for missing man, 61 |
News of the world in photos: Winter storms rake East and more – Seattle Post Intelligencer
 USA TODAY |
News of the world in photos: Winter storms rake East and more
Seattle Post Intelligencer Debris covers the ground on Thursday in the town of Ellenboro, NC in Rutherford County. At least 15 people were injured and at least 60 buildings damaged when a possible tornado struck in western North Carolina, the National Weather Service said … Tornado injures at least 15 in North Carolina Rare tornado hits North Carolina Possible Tornados Injures 15, Destroys Homes |
Cook named regional Principal of the Year, becomes finalist for state title – Garner News
 News & Observer |
Cook named regional Principal of the Year, becomes finalist for state title
Garner News Garner Magnet High School Principal Drew Cook was named the Principal of the Year for the North Central Region of North Carolina. He now is among eight candidates for the 2012 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year title. He is a finalist with Clay … Garner High principal finalist for state honor |
Mother upset after child given alcohol breath test at school – NBC17.com
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Mother upset after child given alcohol breath test at school
NBC17.com A student at RS Middle School in Rutherfordton, NC was given an alcohol breath test after school officials say alcohol was smelled on the child. (more) A student at RS Middle School in Rutherfordton, NC was given an alcohol breath test after school … |
Octavia Rogers Woodward – Murfreesboro Post
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Octavia Rogers Woodward
Murfreesboro Post She was born on November 24, 2012 in Rutherford County but currently resided in Canton, NC. Her love of geneology led her to be an active member of the DAR, the UDC and the local historical society. Octavia served as Regent of the Capt. |
Red Cross Assisting Storm Victims In Rutherford County – WFMY News 2
 WFMY News 2 |
Red Cross Assisting Storm Victims In Rutherford County
WFMY News 2 Rutherford County, NC — Volunteers from the American Red Cross opened a shelter in Burke County after they received reports of severe storm damage on Wednesday night. Early reports showed five homes had been affected, but that number could rise. |
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