Gates County Genealogy
- Formed 1779
- Parent county / earlier Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford
- County seat Gatesville
- Neighbors chowan, perquimans, hertford, camden, pasquotank
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1779 from Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Gatesville · Library: Albemarle Regional Library — Gates.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Gates County was formed in 1779 from Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. The county seat is Gatesville. Neighboring counties include chowan, perquimans, hertford, camden, pasquotank.
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 1779 from parts of Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County. It was named for General Horatio Gates, who had commanded the victorious American forces at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Source Wikipedia
Gates County Historical Society
P.O. Box 98
Gates, NC 27937
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Gates County Courthouse
PO Box 148
County Courthouse
Gatesville, NC 27938
Census
- 1786 State Census Transcription
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription (Edenton District) indexed by last name
- 1790 Federal Census Index and transcription Directory opens to folder with textfiles, one index, one named by page number
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
Tax Records
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Gates County:
News related to Gates County, NC
History notes
Gates County (seat: Gatesville) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina.
Gates County is part of North Carolina’s coastal plain documentary landscape—river towns, ports, agricultural belts, and free Black/plantation contexts. Formed in 1779 from Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford, early research often depends on parent counties and Albemarle or Cape Fear–era sources.
Neighboring counties—chowan,perquimans,hertford,camden,pasquotank—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 1779.
Local history & events
- Boaters react after man dies at Somerton Creek in water incident in Gates County - WAVY.com
- Randolph S Boyd Obituary (2026) - Gates, NC - Community of Hope Funeral Service - Legacy | Obituary Search
- From phonics to parks: How Letterland is bringing literacy to life in Gates County - EdNC
- Historic surf rescue reenactments return to Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe on Thursday - Island Free Press
- Reenactors bring Revolutionary War history to life for July Fourth weekend - Watauga Democrat
- Hickory Ridge History Museum to celebrate Independence Day with several activities - The Daily Reflector
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 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1779– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1779– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| 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 | 1779– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford. |
| 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
- Gates County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Gates 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 Gates 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 Gates 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 Gatesville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Albemarle Regional Library — Gates
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1779
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Chowan, Perquimans, Hertford — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):