Includes the city of Raleigh and downtown.
Township Instructions
Within a township, review
- Notes - This describes the digitization results and special considerations for a township.
- Original Index - This is the 1978 index of the cemeteries.
- New Index - This is a current index. We will add new cemetery information as it is discovered. These new indexes include Enhanced directions Road names added to the SR numbers GPS data - to the original site or as close as the information and changes in real estate would allow Links to online memorial databases including Find a Grave, Cemetery Census and others.
- Individual Listings and Files - Look for families of interest.
Please note: OCR was attempted, but due to the predominate use of handwriting and old manual typewriters, documents may not be fully searchable. OCR exists for some larger and more clearly typed files.
01 Surname Finder File
This file indexes surnames found in smaller family cemeteries in all townships across Wake County. Thanks to Cynthia Gage for creating this useful tool for us. Note: this list does not include names in Church or Community cemeteries.
02 Raleigh New Index
This should be one of the first files you read.
The New Index Spreadsheet for Raleigh township allows for updates and corrections as well as the opportunity to add GPS Co-ordinates and links to outside sources. We have also improved how the roads are referenced by including Road Name with the SR#. -- We now have a vehicle to make additions as other cemeteries become known as is the wish of the co-ordinator of the original project, Irene Kittinger. If you know of any additions or corrections please let us know.
02 Raleigh Original Index
Index as it appeared in the original survey files. Always compare to the new index.
Caraleigh Cemetery
3 marked graves plus several unmarked. (Community Cemetery) Report includes notes and map from Scout project.
Original instructions stated - From Lake Wheeler Rd., take Maywood Ave.
GPS - 335.75911, -78.65827 Cemetery is south creek on east side of tracks.
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2411257/caraleigh-mills-cemetery
Carter Finley Stadium Parking Lot Cemetery
16 marked, plus possibly 100 unmarked graves. African American. AKA Lincolnville AME Church Cemetery. Across from Horse Complex at the State Fair Grounds.
Original instructions stated - From the intersection of Hillsborough St.,(Hwy. # 54),and Youth Center Rd., on the west side of the Fair Grounds, take Youth Center Rd. 1/2 mile to Trinity Rd. Directly in front of you is Stadium Rd., the entrance to the parking lot of the stadium. Enter Stadium Rd.
GPS - 35.80271, -78.71812
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2263024/lincolnville-cemetery
Catholic Orphanage Cemetery
3 graves with inscriptions. There are names and photos in the image file. Added 2023- Graves "may" have been moved near time of building the new Cathedral. See these articles - https://apnews.com/article/917d3a5431f7417a810c81566709366c | https://www.wral.com/cathedral-sits-on-former-site-of-catholic-orphanage/16843024/
Original instructions stated - 300 Cardinal Gibbons Dr (road name changed, unable to identify). Looking away from buildings toward the old skating rink, past old orchard, in a g rove of pines.
GPS - Need more info for location
Confederate Cemetery
Separate section within grounds of Oakwood Cem. 59 pages of names and inscriptions. (added 2023 - see book link https://www.amazon.com/Confederate-Section-Oakwood-Cemetery-Carolina/dp/098455291X
Original instructions stated - Next to Oakwood Cemetery
GPS - 35.7847595, -78.6293030
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/48282/oakwood-cemetery
Dorothea Dix Hospital cemetery
Location only
Original instructions stated - 820 S. Boylan Ave. The cemetery is on the west side of campus.
GPS - 35.77300, -78.66150
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1989198/dorothea-dix-hospital-cemetery
Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery
14 pages of inscriptions.
Original instructions stated - 6767 Hillsborough St. Just before you cross into Cary.
GPS - 35.78873, -78.74632
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/951337/ephesus-baptist-church-cemetery
Gattis/Massey Cemetery
3 graves with inscriptions. Maybe more.
Original instructions stated - South side of Poole Rd, between King Richard Rd and St George Rd. Steep bank.
GPS - 35.77250, -78.58954
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2228409/massey-gattis-family-cemetery
Goodwin/Roundy
20 graves with inscriptions (not listed here). Approximately 30 other gravesites. Aka Goodwin Farm Cemetery
Original instructions stated - From W side of Buck Jones Rd., take Farm Gate Rd.; go several blocks to curve; on N side among trees and bank surrounded by ground cedars.
GPS - 35.77369435792509, -78.73621643439569 * marked to intersections Buck Jones and Farm Gate Rds. See directions.
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2468440/goodwin-farm-cemetery
Haywood Hall Cemetery
Family burials were removed to Oakwood from this property. Original location details only.
Original instructions stated - N side of New Bern Ave., the part on E side of the State Capitol off Wilmington St.
GPS - 35.78075062697611, -78.6358143641509 *marked to original location of this cemetery.
Hebrew Cemetery
Location only. Established 1870. https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2165890/raleigh-hebrew-cemetery
Original instructions stated - From Oakwood Ave., turn N on State St. E side beyond St. Augustine's Cemetery
GPS - 35.78738, -78.62199
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2165890/raleigh-hebrew-cemetery
Hillcrest Cemetery
African American, Community. Location only.
Original instructions stated - E side of Garner Rd. just before beltline, take Charles St.
GPS - 35.75526, -78.63117
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2301345/hillcrest-cemetery
Hunter, Theophilus
Location only. For list of graves, see https://jacobhuntertrust.org/cemeteries/grave-listing-of-the-theophilus-hunter-cemetery/
Original instructions stated - E side of the Hunter house on Dorothea Dix Hospital campus.
GPS - 35.77275460205545, -78.66658821555215 *marked to 705 Barbour Dr. See Cem Census link.
Jones, Kimbrough
13 graves with inscriptions. AKA - Jones Family Cemetery. *Added 2022 -See Crabtree Jones Final Report including the family cemetery at https://rhdc.org/sites/default/files/Crabtree%20Jones%20Final%20Report_04-15-2014%20Opto.pdf
Original instructions stated - On Six Forks Rd., N side, take Hillmer Dr.; Cem on W side.
GPS - 35.82185, -78.62508, marked to 3220 PLANTATION RD per F/G
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2676128/jones-family-cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery
African American. 35 graves with inscriptions.
Original instructions stated - NW intersection of Fayetteville St and Prospect Ave.
GPS - 35.76440, -78.64610
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/48156/mount-hope-cemetery
O'Rorke Catholic Cemetery for Needy
Location only. History and inscriptions see - Wake Treasures, Vol. 6, issue 1. (added 2023 - see also this link - https://rccpreservation.org/ororke-cemetery)
Original instructions stated - E side of Tarboro St. several blocks N of New Bern Ave. (now: 1101 Pender St.)
GPS - 35.78300, -78.62167
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2386114/o'rorke-cemetery
Oak Grove Cemetery
African American. 113 graves with inscriptions. In the Method Community. See https://raleighhistoric.org/items/show/195 for map and photos.| See https://cityofraleigh0drupal.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/drupal-prod/COR10/OakGroveCemetery_LandmarkOrdinanceAndReport.pdf for history and burial list with inscriptions.
Original instructions stated - From SR 1012/Western Blvd, go east to Method Rd. Left on Method and .5 mi to Ligon St. Left and .25 mi to tunnel under belt line. Go another .1 mi. **Today the best access is from Ligon Street to 4303 Beryl Road.
GPS - 35.788563, -78.698479
http://www.interment.net/data/us/nc/wake/oakgrove/index.htm
Oakwood Cemetery (no live link)
Chartered 1869. Visit Oakwood website to search up to date burials. This is one of the largest cemeteries in Wake County. To search see the link below the GPS location.
Original instructions stated - 701 Oakwood Ave. Confederate Cemetery is right side of Linden Ave as you enter the grounds.
GPS - 35.7847595, -78.6293030
See - https://historicoakwoodcemetery.org/search-burial-records/
Oberlin Cemetery
African American, Community cemetery. approx 175 graves with inscriptions. Up to 1000 graves.
Original instructions stated - From Wade Ave. go S to 1012 Oberlin Rd. - at rear of the YWCA
GPS - 35.79668, -78.65869
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2318970/oberlin-cemetery
Raleigh City Cemetery
60 pages of inscriptions (image files). Larger file will take a minute to load. Cemetery includes a section for free black and enslaved.
Original instructions stated - 17 S East St
GPS - 35.77802, -78.63237
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/641027/city-cemetery
Sacred Heart Cathedral Cemetery
Location only. A Bishop is buried here.
Original instructions stated - NW interesection of Hillsborough St. and McDowell St.
GPS - 35.78075, -78.64185
See Find a Grave: Location only. Find-A-Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2382959/sacred-heart-cathedral-grounds
Samaria Baptist Church
170 graves, 79 with inscriptions.
Original instructions stated - 3621 Poole Rd. – 75 ft. beyond the NW right-of-way of the beltline; behind church.
GPS - 35.76869, -78.57646
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2129319/samaria-baptist-church-cemetery
St Augustine College Cemetery
African American. 40 graves with inscriptions.
Original instructions stated - From Oakwood Ave. at upper edge of Oakwood Cemetery, turn N on State St.; on W side of campus past bend in the road
GPS - 35.78718, -78.62324
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2446389/saint-augustine's-cemetery
Thomas, John W.
Single grave was destroyed to make space for Tennis Courts on Meredith College camplus in 1950/51. (added 2023 - Possibly moved to Oakwood)
GPS - 35.798099942059125, -78.68832826270322 *marked to Meredith College. Unclear if tennis courts today are in the same location. Check with school.
United States National Cemetery
Location only. Resting place of Federal troops of Civil War and veterans of all wars since.
Original instructions stated - 501 Rock Quarry Rd.; federal troops of Civil War (includes those removed from other southern places) and for veterans of all wars since
GPS - 35.77453, -78.62137
See Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/109438/raleigh-national-cemetery