Davie County Obituary Records in Mocksville
Locating obituary records in Davie County, North Carolina starts with the Davie County Register of Deeds in Mocksville. Death records have been maintained since 1913, marriage records since 1836, and land records since 1836. The Register of Deeds provides an online genealogy search covering cemeteries and death records, making Davie County one of the more accessible counties for remote obituary research. Local historical resources and state archives supplement the county's official records for those researching earlier periods.
Davie County Quick Facts
Davie County Register of Deeds - Obituary and Death Records
The Davie County Register of Deeds in Mocksville is the primary office for official death records in the county. Under North Carolina General Statute 130A-93, death certificates are filed with the local registrar and become part of the official county record. The Register of Deeds holds death certificates for deaths that occurred in Davie County since 1913. These documents provide authoritative information including the date, place, and cause of death.
One of the notable features of the Davie County Register of Deeds is its online genealogy search tool, which covers cemeteries and death records. This tool allows researchers to search from a distance without visiting Mocksville in person. The database includes cemetery records that can help locate burial information for Davie County residents who died before the formal vital records system began in 1913.
Marriage records in Davie County date from 1836, the same year the county was formed. Land records also begin in 1836. These parallel records are useful for genealogy researchers who want to cross-reference property holdings and family relationships alongside obituary searches. The Register of Deeds office is located at 123 South Main Street in Mocksville and can be reached by phone at (336) 751-2513. Full information is available at daviecountync.gov/register-of-deeds/.
| Office |
Davie County Register of Deeds 123 South Main Street Mocksville, NC 27028 Phone: (336) 751-2513 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | daviecountync.gov/register-of-deeds/ |
| Death Records | 1913 to present |
| Marriage Records | 1836 to present |
| Online Search | Cemetery and death record genealogy search available |
About Davie County, North Carolina
Davie County was formed in 1836 from Rowan County. The county is named for William Richardson Davie, a Revolutionary War officer who later served as governor of North Carolina and was a founder of the University of North Carolina. The county seat is Mocksville. Davie County is a relatively small county in the western Piedmont region.
Because Davie County was formed from Rowan County in 1836, records predating that year are held in Rowan County's archives. Researchers tracing Davie County family history from before 1836 should search Rowan County's records, which cover the territory that later became Davie County.
The county's genealogy search tool for cemeteries and death records is a valuable feature that sets Davie County apart from many neighboring counties. Cemetery records are particularly useful for deaths occurring before 1913, when official death certificates were not yet maintained. These records document burials in both public cemeteries and private family plots throughout Davie County.
Note: Records from before Davie County's 1836 formation are in Rowan County's archives, as the territory was part of Rowan County prior to that date.
Davie County Cemetery and Obituary Records - Genealogy Search
Cemetery records are among the most valuable resources for Davie County obituary research, especially for the period before 1913 when official death certificates were not yet kept. The Davie County Register of Deeds maintains an online genealogy search that includes cemetery records, giving researchers remote access to burial information. This database covers cemeteries across the county, including rural family plots that might not be documented elsewhere.
Cemetery records typically include the name of the deceased, birth and death dates when known, and the cemetery name and location. These records often serve as a bridge between older newspaper obituaries and official death certificates, helping researchers confirm identities and dates across multiple sources.
The Davie County Public Library in Mocksville also holds local history materials that include cemetery survey reports compiled by genealogy volunteers. These surveys document headstone inscriptions from cemeteries throughout Davie County and provide information on thousands of burials stretching back to the county's earliest years.
Genealogy organizations have compiled obituary indexes from local newspapers like the Davie County Enterprise-Record. These indexes can help researchers locate specific obituaries before pulling full copies from microfilm or digital archives. Checking the online cemetery database alongside newspaper obituary indexes gives the most thorough coverage for Davie County death research.
How to Search Davie County Obituary Records
Searching Davie County obituary and death records effectively requires a multi-source approach. Official death certificates from 1913 onward are the starting point for most requests. Cemetery records and newspaper obituaries extend coverage back to the county's formation in 1836.
For official death certificates, contact the Davie County Register of Deeds at (336) 751-2513 or visit the office at 123 South Main Street in Mocksville. You can also use the online genealogy search tool on the county website. When requesting a certified copy, you will typically need the full name of the deceased, the approximate date of death, and documentation showing your right to access the record under NCGS 130A-93.1.
Practical sources for Davie County obituary research include:
- Davie County Register of Deeds online genealogy search for cemetery and death records
- Davie County Public Library for newspaper obituaries and local history materials
- DigitalNC for digitized historical newspapers covering the Davie County area
- NC State Archives for older records and Rowan County parent county materials
- NC Vital Records in Raleigh as an alternate source for state death certificates
Combining official death certificates with cemetery records and newspaper obituaries produces the fullest picture of a Davie County death. Each source type contributes unique details. Death certificates provide official dates and causes. Cemetery records confirm burial locations. Newspaper obituaries offer biographical details and family relationships not found in official documents.
Note: For Davie County obituary searches covering the period from 1836 to 1913, cemetery records and newspaper archives are the primary sources because official death certificates were not yet required during that period.
North Carolina State Vital Records - Davie County Obituary Records
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains statewide vital records through its Vital Records office in Raleigh. Davie County death records filed since 1913 are part of this statewide system. The state holds copies independently of the county, and certified copies can be requested from either source. Researchers who prefer not to contact the Davie County Register of Deeds directly can use the state office as an alternative.
The NC Vital Records office at vitalrecords.nc.gov provides ordering information for certified death certificates by mail or in person. Under NCGS 130A-93, death certificates are maintained as part of the official public record following the applicable restriction period. The state office processes requests from all 100 North Carolina counties, including Davie County.
The NC Vital Records program provides statewide death record access covering Davie County deaths.
The NC Vital Records portal allows researchers to order certified Davie County death certificates without visiting the Mocksville office in person.
NC State Archives - Historical Davie County Death Records
The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical records from across the state that support Davie County obituary research. The Archives maintains microfilmed vital records, church registers, Bible records, cemetery surveys, and genealogy files. For researchers who have exhausted the county-level sources, the State Archives often holds supplemental materials that can bridge gaps in the Davie County record collection.
The State Archives is part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Its reading room is open to the public, and staff can assist with research questions. The Archives website at archives.ncdcr.gov provides finding aids and research guides specifically for genealogy researchers looking for death and obituary records from North Carolina counties including Davie County.
Historical Davie County records at the NC State Archives include materials that document the county's history from its 1836 formation through the twentieth century. Parent county Rowan County records are also accessible at the Archives for researchers working on pre-1836 family history in the Davie County region.
The NC State Archives research collections provide access to historical Davie County records.
The State Archives holds microfilmed county records, church registers, and genealogy materials useful for tracing Davie County deaths back to the county's formation in 1836.
Nearby Counties
Davie County borders several other North Carolina counties. Checking adjacent county records is useful when a death might have occurred near a county line or before modern boundaries were established.