Lincoln County Genealogy
- Formed 1779
- Parent county / earlier Tryon
- County seat Lincolnton
- Neighbors gaston, cleveland, catawba, mecklenburg
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1779 from Tryon — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Lincolnton · Library: Lincoln County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Lincoln County was formed in 1779 from Tryon. The county seat is Lincolnton. Neighboring counties include gaston, cleveland, catawba, 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 1779 from the eastern part of Tryon County. It was named for Benjamin Lincoln, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
In 1782 the southeastern part of Burke County was annexed to Lincoln County. In 1841 parts of Lincoln County and Rutherford County were combined to form Cleveland County. In 1842 the northern third of Lincoln County became Catawba County. In 1846 the southern half of what was left of Lincoln County became Gaston County. Source Wikipedia
Gaston/Lincoln Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 584
Mt. Holly, NC 28120
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Lincoln County Courthouse
115 W Main St
County Courthouse
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Census
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription - alphabetically listed
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns in Lincoln County:
- Boger City
- Crouse
- Daniels-Rhyne
- Denver
- Iron Station
- Laboratory
- Lincolnton (County Seat)
- Long Shoals
- Pumpkin Center
- Vale
News related to Lincoln County, NC
History notes
Lincoln County (seat: Lincolnton) is a core research hub for families who lived, married, worshipped, or owned land in this part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Lincoln 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 1779 from Tryon, it rewards researchers who respect parent jurisdictions and neighbor FAN clubs.
Neighboring counties—gaston,cleveland,catawba,mecklenburg—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 1779.
Local history & events
- Jury still out on use for historic Lincoln County Courthouse - St. Catharines Standard
- Community works to save historic Lincoln County chapel - NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts
- Group returns with "Little Art Museums of Yachats" featuring four artists from Florence, Waldport and Yachats - Lincoln Chronicle
- Lincoln County Crash Kills One, Airlifts Another From Hwy 27 - Hoodline
- Man killed, another injured after head-on crash in Lincoln County: NCSHP - Queen City News
- President of Lincoln County nonprofit convicted of embezzling over $400K for online sports bets - Queen City 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 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1779– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1779– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| 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 | 1779– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1779, search parent jurisdiction: Tryon. |
| 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
- Lincoln County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincolnton. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Lincoln County Public Library
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1779
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Tryon — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):