Iredell County Genealogy
- Formed 1788
- Parent county / earlier Rowan
- County seat Statesville
- Neighbors rowan, davie, yadkin, wilkes, alexander, catawba, cabarrus, mecklenburg
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1788 from Rowan — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Statesville · Library: Iredell County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Iredell County was formed in 1788 from Rowan. The county seat is Statesville. Neighboring counties include rowan, davie, yadkin, wilkes, alexander, catawba, cabarrus, mecklenburg.
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 1788 from Rowan County. It was named for James Iredell, an advocate of ratification of the United States Constitution, who was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States by George Washington in 1790.
In 1847 parts of Iredell County, Caldwell County, and Wilkes County were combined to form Alexander County. Source Wikipedia
Genealogical Society of Iredell County, NC
P.O. Box 946
Statesville, NC 28677
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Iredell County Courthouse
PO Box 788
County Government Center
Statesville, NC 28687
Census
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription and Index The directory opens to an index file and the main census file named by page number.
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Iredell County:
- Barium Springs
- Bells Cross Roads
- Bradfords Cross Roads
- Celeste Hinkle
- Charles
- Countyline
- Doolie
- East Monbo
- Elmwood
- Eufola
- Harmony
- Houstonville
- Loray
- Love Valley
- Mayhew
- Mazeppa
- Mooresville
- Mount Mourne
- Olin
- Osbornville
- Scotts
- Sharon
- Statesville (County Seat)
- Statesville West
- Troutman
- Turnersburg
- Union Grove
- Davidson
News related to Iredell County, NC
History notes
Iredell County (formed 1788 from Rowan; seat Statesville) bridges Charlotte metro spillover (Mooresville) and western foothills. Parent Rowan and neighbor FAN clubs (Davie, Yadkin, Catawba, Mecklenburg) complete many stories.
Local history & events
- Gov. Stein signs state budget, enacting historic pay raises for teachers and law enforcement - Iredell Free News
- Statesville NAACP celebrates historic milestones, awards scholarships at Annual Freedom Fund & Awards Banquet - Iredell Free News
- Ten Suspects Face Charges After Six-Month Cocaine Investigation in Iredell County - V 101.9 Charlotte
- 4-H News: Iredell County Dairy Judging Teams earn top honors at state contest - Iredell Free News
- Undercover operation targets cocaine network in Iredell County - WSOC TV
- George Whitfield Brawley Jr. - Iredell Free News
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 1788, 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 1788, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1788, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1788, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1788– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1788, search parent jurisdiction: Rowan. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1788– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1788, 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 | 1788– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1788, 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. |
Newspapers
Cemeteries & burial research
- Iredell County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Iredell 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 Iredell 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 Iredell 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 Statesville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Iredell County Public Library
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1788
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Rowan — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):