Davie County Genealogy
- Formed 1836
- Parent county / earlier Rowan
- County seat Mocksville
- Neighbors rowan, yadkin, forsyth, davidson, iredell
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1836 from Rowan — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Mocksville · Library: Davie County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Davie County was formed in 1836 from Rowan. The county seat is Mocksville. Neighboring counties include rowan, yadkin, forsyth, davidson, iredell.
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 1836 from Rowan County. It was named for William R. Davie, Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. Source Wikipedia
Davie County Historical & Genealogical Society
371 N. Main Street
Mocksville, NC 27028
Cooleemee Historical Association
P.O. Box 667
Cooleemee, NC 27014
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Davie County Courthouse
123 S Main St
County Administration Building
Mocksville, NC 27028
Census
1850 Federal Census Index (web)
1850 Federal Census Index (text with names and ages)
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Davie County:
News related to Davie County, NC
History notes
Davie County (seat: Mocksville) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Davie 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 1836 from Rowan, it rewards researchers who respect parent jurisdictions and neighbor FAN clubs.
Neighboring counties—rowan,yadkin,forsyth,davidson,iredell—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 1836.
Local history & events
- Daniel Boone Heritage Trail brings history to life during Daniel Boone Festival - Davie County Enterprise Record
- Weather does not slow down Daniel Boone Family Festival - Davie County Enterprise Record
- Davie County commissioners approve one-year ban on data centers - FOX8 WGHP
- Davie County passes one-year data center moratorium - WUNC News
- Three arrested after early-morning drug investigation on U.S. 601 in Davie County - WXLV
- Where Are They Now? Carly Jaycocks: finding her perfect path - Davie County Enterprise Record
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 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1836– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1836– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1836– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| 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 | 1836– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1836, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| 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. |
Cemeteries & burial research
- Davie County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Davie 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 Davie 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 Davie 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 Mocksville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Davie County Public Library