North Carolina Death Collection, 1908-2004

Source Information

This database is an index to deaths that occurred in North Carolina between 1908 and 2004. This index was created by three agencies.

The first portion was created by Ancestry from microfilm copies of county death indexes obtained from the North Carolina State Archives and Records Section (see the bottom of this page for a list of counties and years covered). Records from this portion WILL include an IMAGE of the corresponding microfilm record. Be sure to view this image when it is available as additional information about your relative (such as volume and page number of death certificate) may be listed on it.

The second portion of this index is statewide and covers the years 1968-1996. It was obtained by Ancestry from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This portion of the index does NOT include any images.

The third portion of this index is also statewide but covers the years 1997-2004. It was obtained by Ancestry from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. This portion of the index also does NOT include any images.

The following information is included in this database:

• Name of deceased*
• Death date*
• Death place (usually a county)*
• Age at time of death*
• Gender
• Race*
• Marital status
• Autopsy (yes or no)
• Hospital
• Bed Code
• Attendant
• Mode of burial
• Father’s surname
• Place of injury
• Birth date
• Birthplace
• Residence
• Social Security Number

Note: An “*” denotes information that may be available for all records. All other information may only be listed for records from 1968-1996.

Where to Go From Here:

Death records are important records for genealogists because generally they provide details about an individual's death as well as details about an individual's life. With the information gathered from this index you might be able to obtain a copy of the original death record from the North Carolina Office of Vital Records, the State Archives, or the Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred (see extended description for more information about this). It is important to use information obtained from this database to locate your ancestor in the original records that this index references, as usually additional information is contained in the original record that could further benefit your research.

More About North Carolina Deaths:

On 10 March 1913, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified an act requiring the registration of births and deaths in the state; virtually full compliance was achieved by 1920, with some delayed birth records for earlier dates eventually added. The indexes to these records are available in the county where the event took place or on microfilm at the North Carolina State Archives and the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City.

Copies of death records can be obtained from the office of the County Register of Deeds and from the Office of Vital Records (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903). The North Carolina State Archives also has death certificates for those who died between 1913 and 1955 on microfilm in the Search Room. The microfilm collection of the FHL has death certificates (1906-94); still births (1814-1953); fetal deaths (1960-74), and an index (1906-67).

Taken from Johni Cerny and Gareth L. Mark, “North Carolina,” Red Book ed. Alice Eichholz (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004).

Counties and Years that have Images:

Below is a list showing the counties and year ranges for which there are images of the microfilmed indexes from the State Archives included in this database.

North Carolina County Codes:

Note: In some parts of this index, the county of death was recorded as a numeric code. In these cases, when you view the image, you will see the county written in that way. For your reference, the county code translation table is provided below: