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If you’re looking for ancestors in North Carolina between the late 1600s and early 1900s, this collection is a great place to start. The North Carolina Wills, 1665–1900 set covers around 134,000 people. It includes those who wrote wills, as well as those mentioned in them—such as heirs, neighbors, friends, and even enslaved individuals.
The set comes in four volumes. Some records are short summaries. Others are complete copies of the original wills. You might find a simple note in one case or a long, detailed document in another. Either way, you get a clear picture of how people lived and what was important to them.
These probate records tell you more than who inherited what. They show family ties, land ownership, social rank, and even daily life. You may see lists of livestock, books, furniture, and tools. Even if your ancestor didn’t leave a will, they might be named as a witness, relative, or person who owed or was owed money. That’s why it’s smart to check for every name you recognize.
Here’s what each volume includes:
- Volume 1: A–D – Names starting with A through D. It lists full names, counties, dates, and family connections.
- Volume 2: E–L – Includes counties and will dates. It helps check records by location.
- Volume 3: M–S – Many full abstracts and inventories. Great for seeing how people lived.
- Volume 4: T–Z – Finishes the alphabet. It has a complete name index to help you find people mentioned in the wills.
The Genealogical Publishing Company compiled these books. You’ll find them in many libraries, historical groups, and digital collections. If you can’t access the printed books, try websites like FamilySearch or Ancestry. Many wills are already available to be scanned and searched online.
If your family has roots in North Carolina, especially during the colonial or early statehood years, this set can help you make real progress in your search. It’s one of the best ways to learn not just who your ancestors were, but how they lived.