Alexander County Genealogy
- Formed 1847
- Parent county / earlier Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes
- County seat Taylorsville
- Neighbors iredell, caldwell, wilkes, catawba
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1847 from Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Taylorsville · Library: Alexander County Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Alexander County was formed in 1847 from Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. The county seat is Taylorsville. Neighboring counties include iredell, caldwell, wilkes, catawba.
This hub combines a modern research floor—record matrix, towns, repositories, news—with local history narrative. Always search parent jurisdictions for pre-formation events.
The county was formed in 1847 from parts of Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County. It was named for William Julius Alexander of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. Taylorsville is the county seat of Alexander County. It's unclear if Taylorsville was named for President Zachary Taylor or John Louis Taylor a North Carolina political philospher and agriculturist. The county is home to the Alexander Railroad Company.
Although Alexander County is in the Piedmont of North Carolina in the western part of the county the terrain is dominated by the Brushy Mountains, which are a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hickory Knob and Barrett Mountain are two of the largest features in the county, Hickory Knob being the highest point in Alexander County, NC. The terrain over most of the county is gently rolling.
Alexander County is also home to the settlement of Hiddenite (unincorporated). This area is home to an emerald and Sapphire mine that also produces Hiddenite which is a form of spodumene. Hiddenite was said to be only found in this part of the world, but in recent years it has also been found in Madagscar and Brazil. It's said that this is the only Emerald mine in the United States that is open to the public for prospecting. Source Wikipedia
Alexander County Genealogy Resources
Alexander County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 545
Hiddenite, NC 28636
Alexander County Ancestry Association
P.O. Box 241
Hiddenite, NC 28636-0241
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Alexander County Government
Alexander County Courthouse
621 Liledoun Road
County Courthouse
Taylorsville, NC 28681
Alexander Library
77 First Avenue SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681
Census
- 1850 Census index (last name only)
- John N Adams - Agricultural Census 1860,1870,1880 numbers
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Alexander County
Cemetery Transcriptions (Rootsweb)
Cemetery Transcriptions (NCGenweb)
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Alexander County:
- All Healing Springs
- Ellendale
- Hiddenite
- Kilby
- Liledown
- Little River
- Millersville
- Paynes Store
- Stony Point
- Taylorsville (County Seat)
- Vashti
- Bethlehem
News related to Alexander County, NC
History notes
Alexander County (seat: Taylorsville) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Alexander County belongs to North Carolina’s Piedmont research zone, shaped by Great Wagon Road settlement, mill and market towns, and dense 19th–20th century paper trails. Formed in 1847 from Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes, it rewards researchers who respect parent jurisdictions and neighbor FAN clubs.
Neighboring counties—iredell,caldwell,wilkes,catawba—frequently hold the “missing” deed, marriage, or burial when households straddle lines or move a few miles for work, church, or better land. Always record the jurisdiction as named in the original, then map it onto modern county pages.
Use the panels on this hub for record availability, towns, repositories, and local history news. Pair them with the statewide Start here path and the counties & formation guide when events predate 1847.
Local history & events
- Register of Deeds preserves history as America celebrates 250 years - Alexander County, NC (.gov)
- America 250 — Key American History Dates in North Carolina - Alexander County, NC (.gov)
- Alexander County Teacher Named Finalist For NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Of The Year - WACB 860AM – Apple City Broadcasting
- Alexander County Deputies Charge Suspect With Motor Vehicle Theft - WACB 860AM – Apple City Broadcasting
- Alexander County PIO receives NC3C Lifetime Achievement Award - Alexander County, NC (.gov)
- County Manager presents proposed 2026-2027 budget - Alexander County, NC (.gov)
Research tools
Record availability matrix
| Record type | Coverage | Years (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal census | good | 1790–1950 | Federal schedules available for NC with known quirks/losses in some years. Place the household in the correct county for each decade. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1847– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1847– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1847– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Church & parish | partial | varies | Church coverage varies by denomination and survival; check local societies and denominational archives. |
| Newspapers | varies | varies | Title survival varies widely. Search local weeklies plus larger regional papers; use Chronicling America and the State Library of North Carolina and DigitalNC. |
| Military | good | 1775– | Revolutionary through 20th-century service may generate pensions, CMSRs, and local militia notes. Pair with county context for battles and units. |
| Cemeteries | partial | varies | Published surveys, Find a Grave, churchyards, and family plots. Unmarked burials are common—use obituaries and church books. |
| Court records | partial | 1847– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1847, search parent jurisdiction: Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes. |
| Tax lists | sparse | varies | Tax lists can substitute for missing census years. Coverage is uneven by locality and year; check State Archives of North Carolina and published abstracts. |
Newspapers
Cemeteries & burial research
- Alexander County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Alexander County household reconstruction. Collect every decade, note neighbors (FAN club), and track the county name as it existed that year—especially across formation and split boundaries.
Vital records
North Carolina statewide vital registration expanded in the early 20th century. For many Alexander County families you will rely on marriage bonds, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, delayed births, and probate—not only a modern certificate.
Cemeteries (legacy notes)
Cemetery surveys for Alexander County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, churchyards, and family plots. Absence of a stone is not absence of burial—pair markers with obituaries and church books.
Courthouse & contacts
The county seat is Taylorsville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Alexander County Library
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1847
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Iredell, Caldwell, Wilkes — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):