Anson County Obituary Records Search
Anson County, North Carolina has one of the longest histories of any county in the state, with land and marriage records dating back to 1749. Searching for an obituary or death record in Anson County starts with the Register of Deeds office in Wadesboro, which holds official death certificates from 1913 onward. For earlier periods, genealogy researchers can draw on the county's exceptional historical record depth and the resources available through the state archives and genealogy organizations. This page covers the key sources for Anson County obituary and death record research.
Anson County Quick Facts
Anson County Register of Deeds - Death and Obituary Records
The Anson County Register of Deeds in Wadesboro is the primary office for official death records in the county. Under the framework of NCGS 130A-93, death certificates for Anson County have been maintained since 1913. The office at 101 South Greene Street Suite 131, Wadesboro, NC 28170 can be reached by phone at (704) 994-3208. Certified copies of Anson County death certificates cost $10 each and are available to eligible requesters who can demonstrate a qualifying relationship to the deceased or a legitimate need for the record.
The Anson County Register of Deeds is notable for the extraordinary depth of its historical record holdings. Marriage records in the county date back to 1749, and land records also begin that same year. This means Anson County has one of the richest documentary foundations of any county in North Carolina for genealogical research. While official death certificates only begin in 1913 under NCGS 130A-115, the depth of other county records helps researchers establish family context for ancestors who died before vital records registration began.
Researchers can find more information about available records and how to submit requests at ansoncountync.gov/rod. The office staff can help with both in-person and mail requests for Anson County death records.
| Office |
Anson County Register of Deeds 101 South Greene Street Suite 131 Wadesboro, NC 28170 Phone: (704) 994-3208 |
|---|---|
| Death Records | Available from 1913 to present |
| Marriage Records | Available from 1749 |
| Land Records | Available from 1749 |
| Certified Copy Fee | $10 per copy |
| Website | ansoncountync.gov/rod |
The state's North Carolina Vital Records office is pictured here as a reference for researchers who need to order Anson County death records through the state-level system.
North Carolina Vital Records maintains statewide copies of all Anson County death certificates filed since 1913 and provides an alternative ordering channel for researchers.
Note: Anson County's marriage and land records beginning in 1749 make it one of the best-documented counties in North Carolina for deep genealogical research, even for periods before formal death certificates existed.
Anson County History - Named for British Admiral George Anson
Anson County was formed in 1750 from Bladen County and was named for George Anson, a British admiral who was prominent in the Royal Navy during the mid-eighteenth century. Wadesboro serves as the county seat and has been the center of county government since early in the county's history. Anson County lies in the Piedmont region of southern North Carolina near the South Carolina border.
The county's long history means that many prominent families with Anson County roots have left paper trails stretching back before the American Revolution. Researchers seeking obituaries or death information for ancestors from the colonial and early American periods must look beyond official death certificates, which do not exist for those periods, and rely instead on church records, estate records, and any surviving family documents. The county's land records going back to 1749 are particularly useful for establishing family connections when more direct death documentation is unavailable.
Bladen County, from which Anson was formed, holds records predating 1750 that may be relevant to families with long Anson County roots. Anson County itself has been a parent county for some later North Carolina counties, so neighboring county histories often intersect with Anson County family records.
Finding Anson County Obituary Records
Several distinct resources exist for searching Anson County obituary and death information, depending on the era of the death you are researching. The Register of Deeds in Wadesboro covers official death records from 1913 forward. Newspaper obituaries published in Wadesboro and surrounding area papers are the primary source for unofficial obituary notices, and some of these have been preserved in library and archive collections.
The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds materials relevant to Anson County that may not be available locally. Researchers who need access to older Anson County records or who encounter gaps in the county Register of Deeds collection can contact the State Archives for assistance. The Archives staff can point researchers toward relevant collections including estate records, church registers, and other materials that document Anson County deaths before the modern registration system.
For obituaries published in local newspapers, check these types of sources:
- Anson County Register of Deeds for certified death certificates from 1913 forward
- Wadesboro-area newspaper archives for published obituary notices
- NC State Archives for historical materials and early twentieth century records
- DigitalNC online collections for digitized historical newspapers from the Anson County area
- Local church and cemetery records for pre-1913 death information
- Bladen County records for pre-1750 family history
- Estate records at the county courthouse for early period death documentation
Combining official Anson County death certificates with newspaper obituaries and historical records gives the most complete picture of an individual's life and death. The county's exceptional historical record depth means that even for very old family lines, substantial documentation may be available to support your research.
Note: Under NCGS 130A-93.1, Anson County death certificates that contain errors can be amended through a formal process administered by the Register of Deeds and the state vital records office.
Remote Access to Anson County Obituary and Death Records
Researchers who cannot travel to Wadesboro in person have several options for accessing Anson County death records remotely. Mail requests to the Register of Deeds at 101 South Greene Street Suite 131, Wadesboro, NC 28170, should include the full name of the deceased, the approximate year of death, the requester's name and address, a copy of valid photo identification, and the $10 fee per copy. Processing times vary depending on request volume at the office.
The North Carolina state vital records office in Raleigh is another option for remote access to Anson County death certificates. The state office accepts mail requests and processes them independently of the county office. For very recent deaths, there may be a short delay before death certificates become available through either the county or state system, as the registration process under NCGS 130A-93 involves multiple steps before a certificate is finalized and available for certified copy requests.
Online resources such as DigitalNC and genealogy databases like those maintained by the North Carolina Genealogical Society also provide some remote access to Anson County historical records and obituary indexes. These are particularly useful for pre-1913 research where official death records do not exist.
Nearby Counties
Anson County borders several counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Deaths occurring near county lines may be recorded in a neighboring county, so checking adjacent records can complete your Anson County obituary search.