North Carolina, Davidson County Vital Records, 1867-2006

What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of images of death records and marriage licenses recorded in Davidson County, North Carolina for the years 1867 to 2006. Some of the individual volumes include an index and there are comprehensive indexes to some of the records.

Birth, death and marriage records are the most reliable sources of vital information. Information pertaining to the event is reliable. Other information is dependent upon the reliability of the informant.

The state required counties to begin recording vital records in compliance with state law to document the births and deaths and to better serve public health needs. Death certificates were also used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates.

North Carolina birth, marriage and death records are recorded on a printed form which were filled in by hand or typed. Delayed birth certificates may also include handwritten supporting documents. The marriage records are arranged by year and then by the the groom's surname. The "Indexed Register of Marriages" is arranged first by the first letter of the groom's surname and then by the date of the marriage. Note that the first four pages here are special lists: "Marriage License out of State (White)" and "Marriage License out of State (Colored)"--the main index begins with image 5. The death records are arranged by year, then by township, and then chronologically by the date of the event.

The Vital Records Section of the Department of Public Health is responsible for maintaining and issuing certified copies of vital records, including birth, marriage and death certificates for births, marriages and deaths that occurred in North Carolina. They officially began recording birth and death events in March 1913. Birth records were usually filled out by a midwife, doctor or other attendant. Death certificates were usually filled out by a mortician or medical professional. Marriage records were usually filled out by the person performing the marriage. Each official filled in the information concerning the event and obtained personal information on the deceased from an informant, usually a relative. That information was submitted to the county, who sent a copy to the state. Delayed birth records were required in the absence of a certificate of birth. They include affidavits and other supporting information from persons testifying to the birth.

Marriages were not often recorded until after 1868 when the Register of Deeds for each county began to issue marriage licenses. The State of North Carolina began statewide registration in 1913 and achieved compliance by 1920.

To Browse This Collection

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1916 Davidson County Birth Record

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  1910 Davidson County Delayed Birth

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  1914 Davidson County Death Record

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  1924 Davidson County Marriage Record