Orange County Genealogy
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The county was formed in 1752 from parts of Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County. It was named for the infant William V of Orange, whose mother Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was then regent of the Dutch Republic.
In 1771 Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County. Another part was combined with parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County to form Wake County. The southern part of what remained became Chatham County.
In 1777 the northern half of what was left of Orange County became Caswell County. In 1849 the western third of the still shrinking county became Alamance County. Finally, in 1881 the eastern half of the county’s remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County.
From the Wikipedia.
The county seat of Orange County is Hillsborough and the county is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Orange County Genealogy Resources
Orange County NCGenWeb Archives
Durham-Orange Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4703
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4703
Chapel Hill Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 503
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0503
Hillsborough Historical Society
P.O. Box 871
Hillsborough, NC 27278
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Orange County Government
Orange County Government Official Site
200 South Cameron St., PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8181
Register of Deeds Office – online search
228 S. Churton Street, Suite 300
Hillsborough, NC.
Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, excluding holidays
Orange County Public Library
Orange County Main Library
137 W. Margaret Ln; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone (919) 245-2525; Fax (919) 644-3003
Operating Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm
Thursday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: Closed
Carrboro Branch Library
Located in McDougle Middle School
900 Old Fayetteville Rd; Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone (919) 969-3006; Fax (919) 969-3008
Operating Hours
Monday – Thursday: 3:30 pm – 8 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday: 1 pm – 5 pm
Carrboro Cybrary
100 N Greensboro St; Carrboro, NC 27510
Phone: (919) 918-7387; Fax: (919) 918-3960
New Operating Hours Beginning July 1, 2010
Monday – Friday: 9 am to 3 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Cedar Grove Branch
5800 NC HWY 86 N; Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 732-9211; Fax: (919) 732-3899
Operating Hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday: Closed
Census
1850 Federal Census Transcription (No index?)
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Orange County
Cities and Towns of Orange County
There are three incorporated municipalities located primarily in Orange County: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. However, parts of the City of Mebane in Alamance County are located in Orange County.
Unincorporated Places:
* Blackwood
* Buckhorn (also known as Cheeks Crossroads)
* Caldwell
* Calvander
* Carr
* Cedar Grove
* Dodsons Crossroads
* Dogwood Acres
* Efland
* Eno
* Eubanks
* Fairview, Hillsborough
* Hurdle Mills
* Laws
* McDade
* Miles
* Oaks
* Orange Grove
* Piney Grove
* Rougemont
* Schley
* Teer
* University (formerly known as Glenn)
* White Cross
Query Forums
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Orange County from the Forum:
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