Hoke County Genealogy
- Formed 1911
- Parent county / earlier Cumberland, Robeson
- County seat Raeford
- Neighbors cumberland, robeson, scotland, moore
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1911 from Cumberland, Robeson — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Raeford · Library: Hoke County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Hoke County was formed in 1911 from Cumberland, Robeson. The county seat is Raeford. Neighboring counties include cumberland, robeson, scotland, moore.
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 1911 from parts of Cumberland County and Robeson County. It was named for Robert F. Hoke, a Confederate general in the American Civil War. Source Wikipedia
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Hoke County Courthouse
PO Box 210
County Courthouse
Raeford, NC 28376
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and Towns of Hoke County:
McCain
Raeford (County Seat)
News related to Hoke County, NC
Cities and towns
History notes
Hoke County (seat: Raeford) 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.
Hoke County is part of North Carolina’s coastal plain documentary landscape—river towns, ports, agricultural belts, and free Black/plantation contexts. Formed in 1911 from Cumberland, Robeson, early research often depends on parent counties and Albemarle or Cape Fear–era sources.
Neighboring counties—cumberland,robeson,scotland,moore—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 1911.
Local history & events
- Air quality in Hoke County - IQAir
- Missing Raleigh man who drove to Hoke County is found dead in woods: Deputies - CBS 17
- 2 men arrested in Hoke County drug bust; DPS counselor found with marijuana in her car: Sheriff - CBS 17
- Suspected Hoke County drug dealer dies after crashing car during chase: Sheriff - CBS 17
- Missing 85-year-old man with possible cognitive found safe in Hoke County: Deputies - CBS 17
- Woman accused of helping murder suspect escape after Hoke County robbery turns into deadly shooting: Deputies - 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 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1911– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1911– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1911– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| 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 | 1911– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1911, search parent jurisdiction: Cumberland, Robeson. |
| 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
- Hoke County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Hoke 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 Hoke 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 Hoke 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 Raeford. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Hoke County Public Library
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1911
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Cumberland, Robeson — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):