Johnston County Genealogy
- Formed 1746
- Parent county / earlier Craven
- County seat Smithfield
- Neighbors wake, nash, wilson, wayne, sampson, harnett
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1746 from Craven — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Smithfield · Library: Johnston County Public Library System.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Johnston County was formed in 1746 from Craven. The county seat is Smithfield. Neighboring counties include wake, nash, wilson, wayne, sampson, harnett.
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 Craven County. It was named for Gabriel Johnston, Governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752.
In 1752 parts of Johnston County, Bladen County, and Granville County were combined to form Orange County. In 1758 the eastern part of Johnston County became Dobbs County. In 1770 parts of Johnston County, Cumberland County, and Orange County were combined to form Wake County. Finally, in 1855 parts of Johnston County, Edgecombe County, Nash County, and Wayne County were combined to form Wilson County. Source Wikipedia
The county seat of Johnston County is Smithfield. There are several historical sites located in Johnston County including the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site which is the largest Civil War battle site in North Carolina. The battle of Bentonville took place March 19-21, 1865 and was an attempt to stop General Sherman's march through the south. There's also an Ava Gardner museum (she was born and grew up in Johnston County), a Tobacco Farm Life Museum and the Johnston County Heritage Center.
Johnston County is divided into the following townships: Banner, Bentonville, Beulah, Boon Hill, Clayton, Cleveland, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, Micro, O'Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove, Selma, Smithfield, Wilders, and Wilson Mills.
Johnston County Genealogy Resources
Johnston County Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 2373
Smithfield, NC 27577
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Johnston County Government
Johnston County Courthouse
PO Box 1049
County Courthouse
Smithfield, NC 27577
Census
- 1784-1786 State Census Transcription
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1800 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1810 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1830 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1840 Federal Census Transcription - sorted by last name
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
Tax Records
- 1750 Quit Rent detailed transcription
- 1750 Quit Rent summary of names listed
- 1751 Quit Rent
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries in Johnston County
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- Johnston County Cemetery Census
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Johnston County:
- Archers Lodge
- Bagley
- Benson
- Clayton
- Emit
- Four Oaks
- Kenly
- Micro
- Middlesex
- Pine Level
- Princeton
- Selma
- Smithfield (County Seat)
- Whitley Heights
- Wilsons Mills
- Wilson's Mills
News related to Johnston County, NC
History notes
Johnston County (formed 1746; seat Smithfield) sits between capital-area growth and coastal plain agriculture. Bentonville (March 1865) anchors Civil War research; parent Craven and later neighbor splits still matter for early events. Clayton and other boom towns add late directory density.
Local history & events
- Man arrested, charged with leaving dog in hot car near Johnston County Courthouse - WRAL
- Troubled work history for former Vance Co. jail officer charged with sex crimes - Carolina Public Press
- NCDOT approves nearly $4 million project to resurface 15 miles of Johnston County roads - CBS 17
- Tuscarora Nation Mural in Smithfield - Johnston County Government (.gov)
- Johnston County Invests $1 Million To Protect 800 Acres Along Neuse River - JoCo Report
- Johnston County Author Celebrates America’s 250th With New Children’s Book - 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: Craven. |
| 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: Craven. |
| 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: Craven. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1746, search parent jurisdiction: Craven. |
| 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: Craven. |
| 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: Craven. |
| 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: Craven. |
| 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
- Johnston County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Johnston 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 Johnston 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 Johnston 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 Smithfield. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Johnston County Public Library System