Washington County Genealogy
- Formed 1799
- Parent county / earlier Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie
- County seat Plymouth
- Neighbors tyrrell, hyde, beaufort, bertie, martin
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1799 from Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Plymouth · Library: Pettigrew Regional Library / Washington County.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Washington County was formed in 1799 from Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. The county seat is Plymouth. Neighboring counties include tyrrell, hyde, beaufort, bertie, martin.
This hub combines a modern research floor—record matrix, towns, repositories, news—with local history narrative. Always search parent jurisdictions for pre-formation events.
Washington County was formed in 1799 from part of Tyrrell County. The county was named for George Washington. Plymouth is the County Seat. During the Civil War, Plymouth was occupied by Union forces during the spring of 1864. There was a naval battle in the Albamarle sound during the successful Confederate attempt to retake the city. This battle included the Ironclad ship CSS Albemarle.
Plymouth is the home of the Roanoke River Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Washington County has recently received 5 markers as part of the Civil War Trail program marking the Battle of Plymouth, the CSS Albemarle, Cushing's Torpedo, and Ausbon House. Fort Compher is also marked.
Plymouth hosts a yearly Battle of Plymouth Living History Weekend. The living history weekend is usually held in late April.
Washington County Genealogy Resources
Washington County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 567
Plymouth, NC 27962
Washington County Historical Society
P.O. Box 296
Plymouth, NC 27962
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Washington County Government
Washington County, NC Government - Official Site
Washington County Register of Deeds
PO Box 1007
120 Adams Str
Plymouth NC 27962-1007
252-793-2325
Fax 252-793-3145
Washington County Public Library
Pettigrew Libraries
201 East Third Street
Plymouth, NC 27962
Phone: (252) 793-2113
Fax: (252) 793-2818
Email: washington@pettigrewlibraries.org
Monday through Thursday
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cities and Towns
Census
- 1850 Federal Census Index
- 1850 Federal Census Index and Transcription - Up to dwelling #107
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription - dwelling numbers #108-#370
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription - dwelling numbers #371-670
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries in Washington County
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- Washington County Cemetery Transcriptions
Query Forums
News related to Washington County, NC
History notes
Washington County (seat: Plymouth) 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.
Washington County is part of North Carolina’s coastal plain documentary landscape—river towns, ports, agricultural belts, and free Black/plantation contexts. Formed in 1799 from Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie, early research often depends on parent counties and Albemarle or Cape Fear–era sources.
Neighboring counties—tyrrell,hyde,beaufort,bertie,martin—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 1799.
Local history & events
- Stephen Wade, county unveil historic, inspirational George Washington statue - St. George News
- Cirincion's lead in Washington County State's Attorney race lessens - AOL.com
- Washington County, Tennessee holds Statehood Day Celebration - WCYB
- Washington Counties across the country unite for quilt project - 5newsonline.com
- This historical marker has been approved for Petersburg. See details - AOL.com
- Have you seen USA's 13-star flag? It's in the Tennessee State Museum - AOL.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 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1800– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1799– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1799– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| 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 | 1799– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1799, search parent jurisdiction: Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Bertie. |
| 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
- Washington County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Plymouth. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Pettigrew Regional Library / Washington County