Granville County Genealogy
- Formed 1746
- Parent county / earlier Edgecombe
- County seat Oxford
- Neighbors vance, franklin, wake, durham, person
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1746 from Edgecombe — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Oxford · Library: Granville County Library System.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Granville County was formed in 1746 from Edgecombe. The county seat is Oxford. Neighboring counties include vance, franklin, wake, durham, person.
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 1746 from Edgecombe County. It was named for John Carteret, 1st Earl Granville, who as heir to one of the eight original Lords Proprietors of the Province of Carolina, claimed one eighth of the land granted in the charter of 1665. The claim was established as consisting of approximately the northern half of North Carolina and this territory came to be known as the Granville District.
In 1752 parts of Granville County, Bladen County, and Johnston County were combined to form Orange County. In 1764 the eastern part of Granville County became Bute County. Finally, in 1881 parts of Granville County, Franklin County, and Warren County were combined to form Vance County. Source Wikipedia
The county seat of Granville County is Oxford. The county is divided into the following townships: Brassfield, Dutchville, Fishing Creek, Oak Hill, Oxford, Salem, Sassafras Fork, Tally Ho, and Walnut Grove.
Granville County NCGenweb site
Granville County NCGenweb Archives
Granville County Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1433
Oxford, NC 27565
Granville County and Oxford history
[ad#canvas_on_demand_square]
Granville County Courthouse
PO Box 906
County Courthouse
Oxford, NC 27565
Census
- 1790 Federal Census - surnames only - constructed from Tax lists
- 1800 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1810 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1820 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1830 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1840 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription and Index Directory opens to listing of text files by index and page number
- 1860 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
Tax Records
- 1749 Tax list
- 1750 Tax list
- 1751 Tax list
- 1752 Tax list
- 1753 Tax list
- 1754 Tax list
- 1757 Tax list
- 1760 Tax list
- 1761 Tax list
- 1762 Tax list
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries in Granville County
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- Granville County Cemetery Census
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Granville County:
News related to Granville County, NC
History notes
Granville County (seat: Oxford) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Granville 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 1746 from Edgecombe, it rewards researchers who respect parent jurisdictions and neighbor FAN clubs.
Neighboring counties—vance,franklin,wake,durham,person—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 1746.
Local history & events
- 1 dead, 3 injured in Granville County shooting; investigation underway - ABC11 News
- Strong overnight storms topple trees, knock out power for hundreds in Granville County - WRAL
- 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
- State History Museums, Including Kenly Site, To Standardize Hours - JoCo Report
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 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1746– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1746– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| 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 | 1746– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Edgecombe. |
| 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
- Granville County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Granville 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 Granville 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 Granville 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 Oxford. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Granville County Library System