Hertford County Genealogy
- Formed 1759
- Parent county / earlier Chowan, Bertie, Northampton
- County seat Winton
- Neighbors gates, bertie, northampton, chowan
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1759 from Chowan, Bertie, Northampton — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Winton · Library: Albemarle Regional Library — Hertford / Ahoskie.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Hertford County was formed in 1759 from Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. The county seat is Winton. Neighboring counties include gates, bertie, northampton, chowan.
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 1759 from parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County. It was named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Earl of Hertford, later 1st Marquess of Hertford.
In 1779 the northeastern part of Hertford County was combined with parts of Chowan County and Perquimans County to form Gates County. Source Wikipedia
Murfreesboro Historical Association
P.O. Box 3
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
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Hertford County Courthouse
PO Box 116
County Courthouse
Winton, NC 27986
Census
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription and index Directory opens to text files, one index, one named by page number
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription - Edington District
- 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 Index - by last name only
- 1910 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and Towns of Hertford County:
News related to Hertford County, NC
History notes
Hertford County (seat: Winton) 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.
Hertford County is part of North Carolina’s coastal plain documentary landscape—river towns, ports, agricultural belts, and free Black/plantation contexts. Formed in 1759 from Chowan, Bertie, Northampton, early research often depends on parent counties and Albemarle or Cape Fear–era sources.
Neighboring counties—gates,bertie,northampton,chowan—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 1759.
Local history & events
- Court of Appeals upholds conviction in Hertford County sexual battery case - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald
- Hounds rescued during animal cruelty investigation in Hertford County now available for adoption at VBSPCA - WAVY.com
- Man faces charges of animal cruelty in Hertford County - WAVY.com
- Hertford County man charged after dead, emaciated dogs found - WCTI
- 2 charged in Hertford County shooting that killed teen, injured two - WAVY.com
- Historic surf rescue reenactments return to Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe on Thursday - Island Free Press
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 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1759– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1759– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| 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 | 1759– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1759, search parent jurisdiction: Chowan, Bertie, Northampton. |
| 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
- Hertford County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Hertford 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 Hertford 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 Hertford 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 Winton. 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 — Hertford / Ahoskie
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1759
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Chowan, Bertie, Northampton — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):