Cherokee County Genealogy
- Formed 1839
- Parent county / earlier Macon
- County seat Murphy
- Neighbors clay, graham, macon
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1839 from Macon — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Murphy · Library: Nantahala Regional Library / Cherokee County.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Cherokee County was formed in 1839 from Macon. The county seat is Murphy. Neighboring counties include clay, graham, macon.
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 1839 from the western part of Macon County. It was named for the Cherokee people, some of whom still live in the area. (The trail of Tears had begun in 1838 after the 1837 Treaty of New Echota). The Cherokee county seat of Murphy was named for Archibald Murphey a former legislator. The name was misspelled. The Cherokee County courthouse was burned during the Civil War by Union Raiders.
Today Cherokee County is home to the Qualla Boundary also known as the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation although this is not contiguous land with the Qualla Boundary located in Swain and Jackson Counties where the large portion of the Cherokee Indian Reservation is located. The county is divided up into the following townships: Beaverdam, Hothouse, Murphy, Notla, Shoal Creek, and Valleytown.
Cherokee County is the westernmost county in North Carolina.
In 1861 the southeastern part of Cherokee County became Clay County; in 1872 its northeastern part became Graham County. Source Wikipedia
Cherokee County Historical Society
205 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC 28906
Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 2122
Asheville, NC 28802
(covers Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania Counties)
Cherokee Historical Museum
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Cherokee County Courthouse
75 Peachtree Street
County Courthouse
Murphy, NC 28906
Census
1840 Federal Census Index - by last name only
1840 Federal Census Index
1840 Federal Census Transcription directory opens to list of text files with previous index and files named by page number referred to in the previous index
1850 Federal census transcription - part 1
1850 Federal census transcription - part 2
1850 Federal census transcription - part 3
1850 Federal Census Mortality Schedule transcription
1860 Federal Census Transcription part 1
1860 Federal Census Transcription part 2
1860 Federal Census Transcription part 3
1860 Federal Census Transcription part 4
1860 Federal Census Transcription part 5
1870 Federal Census transcription - Cheoah and Stecoah Districts In 1872 these counties became part of Graham County.
Other Records
1851 Chapman Rolls - Buffalo town
1851 Chapman Rolls - Murphy area
1851 Chapman Rolls - River area
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Cherokee county:
News related to Cherokee County, NC
History notes
Cherokee County (seat: Murphy) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Mountains region of North Carolina.
Cherokee County sits in North Carolina’s mountain corridor, where Cherokee boundary history, gap roads, and later rail/tourism eras layer onto farm and valley communities. Formation in 1839 from Macon means many pre-1839 events live in parent counties—never search the modern map alone.
Neighboring counties—clay,graham,macon—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 1839.
Local history & events
- Public meetings planned for Cherokee Co. historic trail study - FOX Carolina News
- Cherokee County unveils renovated historic Canton building - Cherokee Tribune
- Cherokee County deputies arrest two on outstanding warrants, drug charges - Local 3 News
- Cherokee County deputies arrest 2 on outstanding warrants, drug charges - Local 3 News
- Murphy marks America’s 250th with patriotic celebration - Cherokee Scout, Murphy, North Carolina
- Descendants of Trail of Tears survivor James Downing gather to honor him - cherokeephoenix.org
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 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1839– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1839– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1839– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| 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 | 1839– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1839, search parent jurisdiction: Macon. |
| 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
- Cherokee County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Murphy. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Nantahala Regional Library / Cherokee County
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1839
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Macon — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):