DESCRIPTION:

This database is an index to individuals who were married in various North Carolina counties between 1741 and 2000. The database is a compilation of several indexes obtained from multiple agencies, including the North Carolina State Archives and Liahona Research. A list of counties and the years for which there are records covered in this index is available at the bottom of this page. Information provided in this index includes:

• Names of bride and groom (Sometimes on an image in a name field you will see "NMN." This stands for "No Middle Name.")
• Genders
• Birth dates
• Ages at time of marriage
• Race or color of bride and groom
• Marriage date
• Marriage place (usually a county)
• Source information (compiler, microfilm number, location of county court, etc.)

Important Notes:

As different agencies that captured different pieces of information created portions or parts of this database, not all of the above listed information may be available for each record.

The marriage date is usually the date of marriage as given in the original entry. However, when no marriage date is given the date of the license may be used. In a few cases, a marriage will be listed twice, but in two different counties. This most often happened when a couple obtained a license in one county, but were actually married in another.

Only records originating from the North Carolina State Archives have corresponding index images. The list of counties in the browse table above does not represent all the counties included in this database.

I Found An Ancestor In This Database….What Now?

Marriage records are great sources for genealogists because they document an individual in a particular place and time as well as provide details about that person's marriage and establish important family relationships.

It is important that you use the information found in this database to locate your ancestor in the records that this index references. Usually more information is available in the records themselves than is found in an index. For example, marriage records sometimes provide the birth dates and places of the bride and groom, their parents' names, their addresses, and witnesses' names, in addition to the information listed in this index.

Finding the Original Marriage Record:

Marriage records in this database from the State Archives are linked to corresponding images of the index on which the marriage is recorded. Be sure to view these images as additional information about your ancestor's marriage may be found there, which may help you obtain a copy of the original marriage record. Visit the North Carolina State Archives and/or Division of Health Services websites for more information about obtaining marriage record copies.

In most cases, the marriage records from Liahona Research can be found on microfilm at the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Generally, a FHL microfilm number will be provided for these records. If a FHL microfilm number is not listed for a record and it is not one of the State Archive records, check the Family History Library Catalog (available online at www.familysearch.org) under the appropriate locality and then under the section called, "Vital Records" for a possible source. Once a possible microfilm source is identified, you will need to order that microfilm to your local LDS Family History Center (more information about Family History Centers available on www.familysearch.org, under the Library tab) in order to search it.

About Marriage Records in North Carolina:

Most marriages before 1868 were not recorded. A 1669 law required that each marriage be registered, but compliance was apparently low. After 1868, the register of deeds in each county was given the task of issuing marriage licenses. These licenses and their accompanying certificates offer a wealth of information, including age when married, parents' names, if the parents were living, parents' residences, and consent when required. Marriage records from 1868 to 1962 are on file with the register of deeds in the county where the marriage took place. Most North Carolina marriage records dating from 1868 to 1950 have been microfilmed and are available at the North Carolina State Archives and the FHL. Marriage records dating from 1962 are available at the Division of Health Services.