Cumberland County Genealogy
- Formed 1754
- Parent county / earlier Bladen
- County seat Fayetteville
- Neighbors harnett, sampson, bladen, robeson, hoke, moore, lee
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1754 from Bladen — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Fayetteville · Library: Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Cumberland County was formed in 1754 from Bladen. The county seat is Fayetteville. Neighboring counties include harnett, sampson, bladen, robeson, hoke, moore, lee.
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 1754 from Bladen County. It was named for Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765), captain-general of the British army and victorious commander at the Battle of Culloden.
In 1771 parts of Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange County were combined to form Wake County. In July 1784 the western part of Cumberland County became Moore County; the eastern part became Fayette County in honor of the Marquis de la Fayette, but the name Cumberland County was restored three months later. In 1855 the northern part of Cumberland County became Harnett County. Finally, in 1911 parts of Cumberland County and Robeson County were combined to form Hoke County. Source Wikipedia
Cumberland County NCGenweb site
Cumberland County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 53299
Fayetteville, NC 28305
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Cumberland County Courthouse
PO Box 1829
County Courthouse
Fayetteville, NC 28302
Census
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - indexed by last name
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - Fayette district
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - Fayetteville town
1820 Federal Census transcription - not including Fayetteville town
1820 Federal Census transcription - Fayetteville town
Tax Records
- 1787 list of taxables - Capt. Moon's District
- 1804 List of taxables
- 1815 Fayetteville list of Taxables
- 1857 Misc. tax list
Military Records
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Cumberland County:
- Bonnie Doone
- Cumberland
- East Fayetteville
- Eastover
- Eutaw
- Falcon
- Fay
- Fayetteville (County Seat)
- Fort Bragg
- Godwin
- Haymount
- Hope Mills
- Lafayette
- Lakedale
- Linden
- Olde Farm
- Ponderosa
- Pope Air Force Base
- Spring Lake
- Stedman
- Vander
- Wade
News related to Cumberland County, NC
History notes
Cumberland County (formed 1754 from Bladen; seat Fayetteville) sits on the Cape Fear corridor. Highland Scots settlement, Presbyterian networks, market-town commerce, and later Fort Bragg / military presence create distinct research eras. Parent Bladen still matters for early events; daughters (Harnett, Hoke, and others) inherit later boundary problems.
Local history & events
- The last dry town in Cumberland County now allows alcohol sales - The Fayetteville Observer
- 72-year-old man found dead after Cumberland County disappearance during heat advisory Friday - CBS 17
- New leaders, next chapters for two Cumberland County nonprofits - The Fayetteville Observer
- Tractor-trailer crash closes I-95 north in Cumberland County for 7+ hours: Officials - CBS 17
- Bill on joint 911 center blindsides Fayetteville, Cumberland leaders - The Fayetteville Observer
- 2 arrested in human trafficking investigation in Cumberland County, sheriff’s office says - CBS 17
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 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1754– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1754– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| 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 | 1754– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1754, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen. |
| 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
- Cumberland County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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 Fayetteville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center