Orange County Genealogy
- Formed 1752
- Parent county / earlier Bladen, Granville, Johnston
- County seat Hillsborough
- Neighbors durham, person, caswell, alamance, chatham
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1752 from Bladen, Granville, Johnston — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Hillsborough · Library: Orange County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Orange County was formed in 1752 from Bladen, Granville, Johnston. The county seat is Hillsborough. Neighboring counties include durham, person, caswell, alamance, chatham.
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 1752 from parts of Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County. It was named for the infant William V of Orange, whose mother Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was then regent of the Dutch Republic.
In 1771 Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County. Another part was combined with parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County to form Wake County. The southern part of what remained became Chatham County.
In 1777 the northern half of what was left of Orange County became Caswell County. In 1849 the western third of the still shrinking county became Alamance County. Finally, in 1881 the eastern half of the county's remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County.
From the Wikipedia.
The county seat of Orange County is Hillsborough and the county is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Orange County Genealogy Resources
Durham-Orange Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4703
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4703
Chapel Hill Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 503
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0503
Hillsborough Historical Society
P.O. Box 871
Hillsborough, NC 27278
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Orange County Government
Orange County Government Official Site
200 South Cameron St., PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8181
Register of Deeds Office - online search
228 S. Churton Street, Suite 300
Hillsborough, NC.
Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM, excluding holidays
Orange County Public Library
Orange County Main Library
137 W. Margaret Ln; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone (919) 245-2525; Fax (919) 644-3003
Operating Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 10 am - 8 pm
Thursday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday: Closed
Carrboro Branch Library
Located in McDougle Middle School
900 Old Fayetteville Rd; Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone (919) 969-3006; Fax (919) 969-3008
Operating Hours
Monday - Thursday: 3:30 pm - 8 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
Carrboro Cybrary
100 N Greensboro St; Carrboro, NC 27510
Phone: (919) 918-7387; Fax: (919) 918-3960
New Operating Hours Beginning July 1, 2010
Monday - Friday: 9 am to 3 pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Cedar Grove Branch
5800 NC HWY 86 N; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 732-9211; Fax: (919) 732-3899
Operating Hours
Monday - Thursday: 11 am - 7 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm
Sunday: Closed
Census
1850 Federal Census Transcription (No index?)
Cemeteries
Cities and Towns of Orange County
There are three incorporated municipalities located primarily in Orange County: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. However, parts of the City of Mebane in Alamance County are located in Orange County.
Unincorporated Places:
* Blackwood
* Buckhorn (also known as Cheeks Crossroads)
* Caldwell
* Calvander
* Carr
* Cedar Grove
* Dodsons Crossroads
* Dogwood Acres
* Efland
* Eno
* Eubanks
* Fairview, Hillsborough
* Hurdle Mills
* Laws
* McDade
* Miles
* Oaks
* Orange Grove
* Piney Grove
* Rougemont
* Schley
* Teer
* University (formerly known as Glenn)
* White Cross
Query Forums
News related to Orange County, NC
Cities and towns
History notes
Orange County (formed 1752; seat Hillsborough) is a colonial Piedmont parent whose courts and land records feed Alamance, Durham fragments, and more. Hillsborough’s Revolutionary and Regulator-era context creates political paper trails; later Chapel Hill / Carrboro growth adds university-town sources.
Local history & events
- America 250: One Orange County family's story - News of Orange
- Orange County, Hillsborough and municipalities across North Carolina attempt to pause data center growth - Daily Tar Heel
- Orange County to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Stories, Music and Community Reflection - The Local Reporter
- USC baseball’s next stop: North Carolina for the super regionals - Orange County Register
- Orange County man arrested in 25-year-old North Carolina cold case - The Daily Progress
- Gov. Stein Appoints Orange County Residents, Including Sheriff, to Advisory Boards - Chapelboro.com
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 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1752– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1752– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| 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 | 1752– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1752, search parent jurisdiction: Bladen, Granville, Johnston. |
| 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
- Orange County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 Hillsborough. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Orange County Public Library