Orange County Probate Records
Images of Wills and Indentures 1752 to 1795
Indexes to Probate Records
Records at North Carolina State Archives
Early Settlers
Some of the first settlers of the county were English Quakers, who settled along the Haw and Eno Rivers.
Inquisitions of the Dead
Marriage Bonds found in Gates County, North Carolina
- Wallis, Miles of Orange County to Polly Freeman 4 Oct 1791
Genealogy Tips
The microfilm records of this county appear to reflect spelling variables. This could be due to anglicized words as many of the first settlers to this vicinity were Germans and Scots. Certain of these old documents appear to be the same person, with different spelling. Therefore, it is suggested that the researcher click on all possible similar names!
Orange 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, regent of the Dutch Republic. In 1771, the western portion of Orange County 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. And, in 1881 the eastern half of the county's remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County.
