Chowan County Records and Genealogy
Chowan County holds some of the oldest genealogy records in all of North Carolina. The county was first set up as Chowan Precinct in 1668, making it one of the earliest seats of colonial government in the state. Edenton, the county seat, served as the second colonial capital. Land records in Chowan County go back to 1694 and probate records reach just as far. Marriage records start in 1754. These deep colonial archives make Chowan County a vital stop for anyone tracing early North Carolina genealogy.
Chowan County Quick Facts
Chowan County Register of Deeds
The Chowan County Register of Deeds in Edenton is the primary office for genealogy research. This office holds land deeds, marriage records, and vital records. The building sits on South Broad Street in the heart of a town that has stood since the early 1700s.
Land records in Chowan County begin in 1694. These are among the oldest county-level land records in North Carolina. Early deeds, grants, and plats show the first families who owned property along the Chowan River and Albemarle Sound. Marriage records start in 1754 and include bonds, licenses, and registers. Court records date from 1738. Probate records also go back to 1694, with wills and estate inventories that name heirs and describe personal property in rich detail. For genealogy purposes, Chowan County records offer a window into colonial life that few other counties in North Carolina can match.
Contact the Chowan County Register of Deeds for copies of records or to plan a research visit.
| Office |
Chowan County Register of Deeds 101 S. Broad Street Edenton, NC 27932 Phone: (252) 482-2550 |
|---|---|
| Records | Land 1694, Probate 1694, Court 1738, Marriage 1754, Birth 1913, Death 1913 |
Chowan County Colonial Genealogy
Chowan County was part of the original Albemarle County, the first area of English settlement in North Carolina. The Chowan Precinct was carved out in 1668. It became a full county in 1739. Edenton grew into a center of trade and politics. The town hosted the colonial assembly and courts for decades. These activities left behind a wealth of genealogy records in Chowan County.
Colonial families in Chowan County came from England, Scotland, and other colonies. Many arrived through Virginia and moved south. Others came by sea to the port at Edenton. The Chowan River and Albemarle Sound shaped settlement patterns. Plantation agriculture took hold early. By the mid-1700s, Chowan County was home to prominent families whose names appear in court minutes, land grants, and church records. These families intermarried often, creating a web of connections that genealogy researchers can trace through Chowan County records.
The Edenton Tea Party of 1774 is one of the earliest known political actions by women in American history. Penelope Barker led a group of Chowan County women who signed a resolution against British tea. Descendants of these women still research their Chowan County genealogy roots today.
Note: Chowan County records from the 1690s to 1730s are fragile and may require special handling at the courthouse or State Archives.
Chowan County Land and Property Records
Land records in Chowan County are a cornerstone of genealogy research. The earliest deeds date from 1694. These records document land grants from the Lords Proprietors, sales between settlers, and divisions of estates. Each deed names the buyer, seller, and often witnesses and neighbors. Many early Chowan County deeds also describe the land by natural features like creeks, old oak trees, and roads.
Property changed hands often in Chowan County. Families grew, divided land among children, and sometimes sold out and moved west. Each transaction left a paper trail. Genealogy researchers use these land records to track families across generations in Chowan County. Deed books, plat maps, and grant records are all available at the Register of Deeds office in Edenton.
The State Archives in Raleigh also holds microfilm copies of many Chowan County land records. The DigitalNC Chowan County page may include digitized materials from local collections.
Chowan County Birth and Death Records
Chowan County birth and death records begin in 1913 with statewide registration. Before that year, no official vital records exist at the county level. For earlier genealogy research in Chowan County, you need to rely on church registers, Bible records, cemetery stones, and probate files.
Bible records are an important source for Chowan County genealogy. Many families kept birth, marriage, and death dates in the family Bible. The State Archives has collected some of these. The image below shows resources from the State Archives related to Bible records used in North Carolina genealogy research.
Bible records can fill gaps in Chowan County vital records before 1913.
You can order birth and death certificates from the Chowan County Register of Deeds or from the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh. Death certificates are particularly useful for Chowan County genealogy because they list the deceased person's parents, birthplace, and cause of death.
Chowan County Probate and Court Records
Court records in Chowan County date from 1738. Probate records go back even further to 1694. These records are among the most valuable for genealogy in Chowan County. Wills name spouses, children, and sometimes grandchildren. Estate inventories list every item a person owned, from silver spoons to plows to enslaved individuals.
Guardianship records are another rich source in Chowan County. When a parent died, the court appointed a guardian for minor children. These records name the children, their ages, and the guardian. They help establish family groups and birth years when no vital records exist for Chowan County.
Apprenticeship bonds in Chowan County also appear in court records. These show orphans or poor children bound to tradesmen to learn a skill. The bonds name the child, the master, and sometimes the parent. For Chowan County genealogy, they can reveal family circumstances and social standing.
Note: The State Archives in Raleigh holds original Chowan County court minutes from the colonial period. These can be viewed on microfilm or in person.
Chowan County Genealogy Research Tips
Researching genealogy in Chowan County takes patience. The records go back more than three centuries. Handwriting styles changed. Spelling was not standard. Names were often written differently from one document to the next. Despite these challenges, the depth of Chowan County records makes them worth the effort.
Start with what you know. Work backward in time. Use marriage records to link families. Use land records to place them on a map. Use probate records to confirm relationships. Census records for Chowan County exist from 1790 onward. The 1790 census is one of the earliest in the nation and includes Chowan County heads of household.
The State Library of North Carolina has published guides for genealogy research. The image below shows a page from the State Library collection related to North Carolina genealogy records.
The State Library offers free access to many genealogy databases and guides.
- Start with census records from 1790 for Chowan County
- Check marriage bonds from 1754 for family links
- Review wills and estates from 1694 onward
- Search land grants and deeds for property connections
- Look at church registers from Anglican and Baptist congregations
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chowan County or share colonial roots. Families in this part of North Carolina moved between counties often. Check neighboring county records if you cannot find what you need in Chowan County.