Person County Obituary Records and Death Certificates
Person County obituary and death records are held at the Register of Deeds in Roxboro, the county seat along the Virginia border in northern North Carolina. Death certificates have been filed with the county since 1913. Older records from before statewide registration began are accessible through church archives, historical society collections, and genealogy databases covering the Piedmont North Carolina region. This guide outlines where to find Person County obituary records, how to request certified death certificates, and which supplementary resources support genealogical research in this area.
Person County Quick Facts
Person County Register of Deeds - Obituary and Death Record Access
The Person County Register of Deeds in Roxboro maintains official death certificates for the county. Under North Carolina General Statute 130A-93, death certificates are filed with the local registrar and retained as part of the permanent county record. The Register of Deeds is the first point of contact for anyone seeking a certified copy of a Person County death certificate.
Certified copies cost $10 each. Researchers submitting requests must provide the deceased's full name, approximate date of death, and documentation of their right to access the record under NCGS 130A-93.1. Requests may be submitted in person at the Roxboro office or by mail. Office staff can confirm current processing times and any specific requirements for the record you are requesting.
The NCGenWeb Person County page at ncgenweb.us/person provides free access to transcribed records, cemetery indexes, and links to historical sources compiled for Person County research. This is a useful starting point before making a formal request to the Register of Deeds.
| Office |
Person County Register of Deeds 105 South Main Street Roxboro, NC 27573 Phone: (336) 597-1733 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Records Begin | Death certificates from 1913; older records through alternative sources |
| Certified Copies | $10.00 each |
The NCGenWeb Person County page includes transcribed genealogical records and cemetery surveys that complement the official death certificate collection in Roxboro.
The NCGenWeb Person County resource at ncgenweb.us/person provides free transcribed records and historical links supporting Person County obituary and death record research.
About Person County, North Carolina
Person County was formed in 1792 from Caswell County. It was named for Thomas Person, a prominent North Carolina patriot and politician who served in the colonial legislature, supported the American Revolution, and was a significant landowner and public figure in the state's early decades. The county seat of Roxboro has served as the administrative center since the county's formation.
Northern Piedmont North Carolina shaped Person County's character. The county sits along the Virginia border, and historical ties to Virginia communities influenced migration patterns, church affiliations, and record-keeping practices. Researchers tracing Person County deaths should keep in mind that some family members may have lived or died just across the state line, requiring parallel searches in Virginia county records.
Because Person County was carved from Caswell County in 1792, deaths occurring before that date in the Person County area would fall under Caswell County jurisdiction. The Caswell County Register of Deeds and the NC State Archives hold historical documents from the parent county that may be relevant to Person County genealogical research.
Note: Deaths occurring in the Person County area before 1792 are documented under Caswell County. The Caswell County Register of Deeds and NC State Archives hold the relevant pre-formation records.
Person County Obituary Records - Library and Genealogy Resources
The Person County Public Library in Roxboro maintains a local history and genealogy collection. The collection includes historical newspaper files, family genealogy folders, and cemetery records. Historical issues of the Roxboro Courier-Times and earlier county publications carried regular death notices and full obituaries for Person County residents. Microfilm readers and library staff assist researchers in navigating these resources.
The Person County Historical Society holds additional materials relevant to obituary research. Their files include county histories, published genealogies, and church records that document deaths from Person County communities not always captured in official vital records. Contacting the historical society before a research visit can help identify which specific collections are most relevant to your inquiry.
DigitalNC at digitalnc.org has digitized historical North Carolina newspapers. Researchers can search by name or keyword to locate Person County death notices from the Roxboro Courier-Times and other regional publications. Coverage varies by decade, but the database is free and searchable online without a library card.
The North Carolina Genealogical Society at northcarolinagenealogy.org publishes abstracts, indexes, and resources covering Person County and the northern Piedmont region. Their publication library includes death-related record indexes that can help identify which newspapers and official records to pursue for specific Person County families.
How to Search Person County Obituary and Death Records
Matching the time period to the right source is the key to efficient Person County obituary research. Official death certificates from 1913 forward are the most straightforward records to locate. Earlier deaths require newspaper archives, church records, estate proceedings, and genealogy databases.
For post-1913 records, contact the Person County Register of Deeds in Roxboro or submit a request through NC Vital Records at vitalrecords.nc.gov. Both offices hold certified copies of Person County death certificates. The NC Register of Deeds finder at ncard.us provides current contact information for the Roxboro office.
For deaths before 1913, these sources are most useful:
- NCGenWeb Person County page for transcribed records and cemetery surveys
- Person County Public Library for newspaper microfilm and genealogy files
- Person County Historical Society for county histories and church records
- DigitalNC for digitized historical Roxboro and Piedmont newspaper archives
- NC State Archives for estate records, court files, and county documents
- Caswell County records for deaths before Person County's 1792 formation
Death certificates confirm official facts. Newspaper obituaries from the Roxboro Courier-Times add family relationships, service affiliations, and burial details. Using both sources together gives the most complete account of a Person County death.
North Carolina Vital Records and Archives - Person County Death Records
The NC Vital Records office maintains statewide copies of all death certificates filed in North Carolina since 1913, including those from Person County. Researchers can request certified copies by mail, in person in Raleigh, or through authorized online vendors. The NC Vital Records website at vitalrecords.nc.gov provides current fee schedules, forms, and processing time estimates.
The NC State Archives at archives.ncdcr.gov is the appropriate resource for Person County deaths predating the 1913 vital records system. The archives holds county court records, estate proceedings, and deed books that frequently document deaths indirectly. Staff can help researchers identify which record groups are most relevant to Person County family history from the late eighteenth through early twentieth centuries.
The NC Digital Collections portal at digital.ncdcr.gov provides online access to selected digitized state records. Browsing Person County entries through the portal can surface relevant historical documents supporting obituary and death research without requiring travel.
Nearby Counties
Person County borders these counties. Searching adjacent county records helps when the exact county of death is uncertain, particularly given historical movement across the Virginia state line.