African-American Genealogy
Genealogy Center - African American Gateway
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Google Books - 1790-1865 The Negro in Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Tracing Slave Records In Dekalb County
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Google Books - 1790-1865 The Negro in Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Tracing Slave Records In Dekalb County
Archives and Libraries
DeKalb County Library System - Alexandria, TN
Facebook - Justin Potter Library
Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association - Cookeville, Tennessee
Tennessee Secretary of State - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Inventory of books at Justin Potter Library
TNGenWeb Project - Libraries in Dekalb County
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Facebook - Justin Potter Library
Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association - Cookeville, Tennessee
Tennessee Secretary of State - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Inventory of books at Justin Potter Library
TNGenWeb Project - Libraries in Dekalb County
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Bible Records
Biographies
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Biographies of Dekalb County Citizens
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb Countians in State & US Government
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - Johann de Kalb
TNGenWeb Project - Biographies of Dekalb County Citizens
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb Countians in State & US Government
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - Johann de Kalb
Cemeteries
ePodunk - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Find A Grave - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
The Political Graveyard - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Bass Funeral Home
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb Funeral Chapel
TNGenWeb Project - Directions for Dekalb County Cemeteries
TNGenWeb Project - Elijah and Rebecca (Doughtery) Whaley Grave Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Love-Cantrell Funeral Home
TNGenWeb Project - Transcriptions for Dekalb County Cemeteries
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
USGenWeb Tombstone Project - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Find A Grave - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
The Political Graveyard - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Bass Funeral Home
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb Funeral Chapel
TNGenWeb Project - Directions for Dekalb County Cemeteries
TNGenWeb Project - Elijah and Rebecca (Doughtery) Whaley Grave Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Love-Cantrell Funeral Home
TNGenWeb Project - Transcriptions for Dekalb County Cemeteries
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
USGenWeb Tombstone Project - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Census Records
Census Online - DeKalb Co., Tennessee
Cyndi's List - 1840 Dekalb Co. TN Federal Census--District 1
TNGenWeb Project - 1850 Census Civil Districts
TNGenWeb Project - 1860 Dekalb County Census
TNGenWeb Project - 1920 Dekalb County Census Civil Districts
Cyndi's List - 1840 Dekalb Co. TN Federal Census--District 1
TNGenWeb Project - 1850 Census Civil Districts
TNGenWeb Project - 1860 Dekalb County Census
TNGenWeb Project - 1920 Dekalb County Census Civil Districts
Church Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1809-1908 Index & Minutes - Salem Baptist Church
TNGenWeb Project - 1879-1893 Index & Minutes - Methodist Episcopal South Church
TNGenWeb Project - 1885-1894 Index & Minutes - Baptist Church of Christ
TNGenWeb Project - 1809-1908 Salem Baptist Church Minutes
TNGenWeb Project - 1809-1908 Index & Minutes - Salem Baptist Church
TNGenWeb Project - 1879-1893 Index & Minutes - Methodist Episcopal South Church
TNGenWeb Project - 1885-1894 Index & Minutes - Baptist Church of Christ
TNGenWeb Project - 1809-1908 Salem Baptist Church Minutes
Court Records
TNGenWeb Project - 1846-1907 Dekalb County Administrator’s Settlements
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb County Officials
TNGenWeb Project - 1902 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
TNGenWeb Project - Misc. Dekalb County Court Records
TNGenWeb Project - Postmasters of Dekalb County
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb County Officials
TNGenWeb Project - 1902 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
TNGenWeb Project - Misc. Dekalb County Court Records
TNGenWeb Project - Postmasters of Dekalb County
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Estate Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb County Will Transcriptions
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb County Will Transcriptions
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
History
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
National Register of Historic Places - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Tennessee Encyclopedia - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Penny Postcard Collection - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1845 Eli Vick’s Store Ledgers
TNGenWeb Project - Foutch/Malone Feud
TNGenWeb Project - 1887 Goodspeed’s History of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 History of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 History of Dekalb County Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Historian Unravels Liberty Mule Mystery
TNGenWeb Project - 1872 Presswood Hanging
TNGenWeb Project - Land Laws of TN
TNGenWeb Project - Misc. Family Histories
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - Smithville, Tennessee
National Register of Historic Places - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Tennessee Encyclopedia - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Penny Postcard Collection - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1845 Eli Vick’s Store Ledgers
TNGenWeb Project - Foutch/Malone Feud
TNGenWeb Project - 1887 Goodspeed’s History of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 History of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 History of Dekalb County Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Historian Unravels Liberty Mule Mystery
TNGenWeb Project - 1872 Presswood Hanging
TNGenWeb Project - Land Laws of TN
TNGenWeb Project - Misc. Family Histories
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - DeKalb County, Tennessee
Wikipedia.org - Smithville, Tennessee
Land Records
Maps
Military Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1890 Civil War Veterans Census
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 Dekalb County in the Civil War
TNGenWeb Project - 1871-1873 Dekalb County Southern Claims Commission Applications
TNGenWeb Project - Undated CSA Veterans Photo
TNGenWeb Project - Revolutionary War Veterans of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 16th Tennessee Infantry
TNGenWeb Project - Map of TN War Battles
TNGenWeb Project - Civil War Veterans Questionnaires
TNGenWeb Project - Civil War Soldiers & Sailors Database
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1890 Civil War Veterans Census
TNGenWeb Project - 1915 Dekalb County in the Civil War
TNGenWeb Project - 1871-1873 Dekalb County Southern Claims Commission Applications
TNGenWeb Project - Undated CSA Veterans Photo
TNGenWeb Project - Revolutionary War Veterans of Dekalb County
TNGenWeb Project - 16th Tennessee Infantry
TNGenWeb Project - Map of TN War Battles
TNGenWeb Project - Civil War Veterans Questionnaires
TNGenWeb Project - Civil War Soldiers & Sailors Database
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
Native American Genealogy
Newspapers
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Alexandria Times Newspaper Abstracts
TNGenWeb Project - 1886-1900 Liberty Herald Abstracts
TNGenWeb Project - Reminisces of Smithville
TNGenWeb Project - Alexandria Times Newspaper Abstracts
TNGenWeb Project - 1886-1900 Liberty Herald Abstracts
TNGenWeb Project - Reminisces of Smithville
Obituaries
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - Obituaries from the Smithville Review
TNGenWeb Project - Obituaries from the Smithville Review
Photographs
TNGenWeb Project - Dekalb County Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Foutch Family Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Lawson, Magness, and Adcock Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Relatives of Connie Mize
TNGenWeb Project - Roy, Vick, Yeargin Family Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Robert Lack Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Foutch Family Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Lawson, Magness, and Adcock Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Relatives of Connie Mize
TNGenWeb Project - Roy, Vick, Yeargin Family Photos
TNGenWeb Project - Robert Lack Photos
School Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, Tennessee
TNGenWeb Project - 1922 Bright Hill School Class Photo
TNGenWeb Project - 1927 Holmes Creek School Photo
TNGenWeb Project - Oakland Institute Occupants
TNGenWeb Project - Pure Fountain College History
TNGenWeb Project - 1922 Bright Hill School Class Photo
TNGenWeb Project - 1927 Holmes Creek School Photo
TNGenWeb Project - Oakland Institute Occupants
TNGenWeb Project - Pure Fountain College History
Societies
Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society - Nashville, Tennessee
Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association - Cookeville, TN
Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association - Cookeville, TN
Vital Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, TN Birth Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, TN Death Records
TNGenWeb Project - 1851-1898 Evans Marriages
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
VitalChek - Tennessee Vital Records
Vitalrec.com - Tennessee Vital Records
Genealogy Trails History Group - DeKalb County, TN Death Records
TNGenWeb Project - 1851-1898 Evans Marriages
USGenWeb Archives - Dekalb County, Tennessee
VitalChek - Tennessee Vital Records
Vitalrec.com - Tennessee Vital Records
Many Tennessee family records can be found online and at various archives and libraries located throughout the state of Tennessee. Many millions of records aren't yet available online, though, and many of these are awaiting your discovery at the local level at county courthouses, historical societies, churches, county clerks' offices, cemeteries, and elsewhere in Tennessee. To find these and other records, click on the links below to find more information about the specific counties where your ancestors lived in Tennessee. You'll find information on these pages that will lead you to the specific documentation you're searching for.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain counties in Tennessee have changed over the past two hundred years. Your ancestors may have lived on a certain farm in one county and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family history might have been located in another area entirely. When searching for land, court, tax, and other records it is also a good idea to search for these records in adjacent counties. Following is a complete list of Tennessee's 95 counties along with their formation dates, county seats, and names of parent counties.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain counties in Tennessee have changed over the past two hundred years. Your ancestors may have lived on a certain farm in one county and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family history might have been located in another area entirely. When searching for land, court, tax, and other records it is also a good idea to search for these records in adjacent counties. Following is a complete list of Tennessee's 95 counties along with their formation dates, county seats, and names of parent counties.
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County
Anderson County Bedford County Benton County Bledsoe County Blount County Bradley County Campbell County Cannon County Carroll County Carter County Cheatham County Chester County Claiborne County Clay County Cocke County Coffee County Crockett County Cumberland County Davidson County Decatur County DeKalb County Dickson County Dyer County Fayette County Fentress County Franklin County Gibson County Giles County Grainger County Greene County Grundy County Hamblen County Hamilton County Hancock County Hardeman County Hardin County Hawkins County Haywood County Henderson County Henry County Hickman County Houston County Humphreys County Jackson County Jefferson County Johnson County Knox County Lake County Lauderdale County Lawrence County Lewis County Lincoln County Loudon County Macon County Madison County Marion County Marshall County Maury County McMinn County McNairy County Meigs County Monroe County Montgomery County Moore County Morgan County Obion County Overton County Perry County Pickett County Polk County Putnam County Rhea County Roane County Robertson County Rutherford County Scott County Sequatchie County Sevier County Shelby County Smith County Stewart County Sullivan County Tipton County Trousdale County Unicoi County Union County Van Buren County Warren County Washington County Wayne County Weakley County White County Williamson County Wilson County |
Formation Date
1801 1807 1835 1807 1795 1836 1806 1836 1821 1796 1856 1879 1801 1870 1797 1836 1871 1855 1783 1845 1837 1803 1823 1824 1823 1807 1823 1809 1796 1783 1844 1870 1819 1844 1823 1819 1786 1823 1821 1821 1807 1871 1809 1801 1792 1836 1792 1870 1835 1817 1843 1809 1870 1842 1821 1817 1836 1807 1819 1823 1836 1819 1796 1871 1817 1823 1806 1819 1879 1839 1854 1807 1801 1796 1803 1849 1857 1794 1819 1799 1803 1779 1823 1870 1875 1850 1840 1807 1777 1817 1823 1806 1799 1799 |
County Seat
Clinton Shelbyville Camden Pikeville Maryville Cleveland Jacksboro Woodbury Huntingdon Elizabethton Ashland City Henderson Tazewell Celina Newport Manchester Alamo Crossville Nashville Decaturville Smithville Charlotte Dyersburg Somerville Jamestown Winchester Trenton Pulaski Rutledge Greeneville Altamont Morristown Chattanooga Sneedville Bolivar Savannah Rogersville Brownsville Lexington Paris Centerville Erin Waverly Gainesboro Dandridge Mountain City Knoxville Tiptonville Ripley Lawrenceburg Hohenwald Fayetteville Loudon Lafayette Jackson Jasper Lewisburg Columbia Athens Selmer Decatur Madisonville Clarksville Lynchburg Wartburg Union City Livingston Linden Byrdstown Benton Cookeville Dayton Kingston Springfield Murfreesboro Huntsville Dunlap Sevierville Memphis Carthage Dover Blountville Covington Hartsville Erwin Maynardville Spencer McMinnville Jonesborough Waynesboro Dresden Sparta Franklin Lebanon |
Parent County
Knox and Grainger Rutherford County Humphreys County Roane & Indian lands Knox County Indian lands Anderson & Claiborne Rutherford, Smith & Warren Indian lands Washington County Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, & Robertson Henderson, McNairy & Madison Grainger & Hawkins Jackson & Overton Jefferson County Bedford, Warren & Franklin Haywood, Madison, Dyer & Gibson White, Bledsoe, Rhea, Morgan, Fentress & Putnam Part of North Carolina Perry County Franklin, Cannon, Jackson & White Montgomery and Robertson Indian lands Indian lands Morgan, Overton & White Rutherford & Indian lands Indian lands Indian lands Hawkins & Knox counties Washington County Coffee, Warren & Franklin Jefferson, Grainger & Greene Rhea & Indian lands Hawkins & Claiborne Hardin & Indian lands Indian Lands Sullivan County Indian lands Indian lands Indian lands Dickson County Dickson, Humphreys, Montgomery & Stewart Stewart County Smith County & Indian lands Greene & Hawkins Carter County Greene & Hawkins Obion County Haywood, Dyer & Tipton Hickman & Indian lands Hickman, Lawrence, Maury & Wayne Bedford County Roane, Monroe, Blount & McMinn Smith and Sumner counties Indian lands Indian lands Giles, Bedford, Lincoln & Maury Williamson & Indian lands Indian lands Hardin County Rhea County Indian lands Tennessee County Bedford, Lincoln & Franklin Anderson & Roane Indian lands Jackson & Indian lands Humphreys & Hickman Fentress & Overton McMinn & Bradley Fentress, Jackson, Smith, White & Overton Roane County Knox & Indian lands Tennessee & Sumner Davidson, Williamson & Wilson Anderson, Campbell, Fentress & Morgan counties Hamilton, Marion & Warren Jefferson County Chickasaw Nation lands Sumner & Indian lands Montgomery County Washington County Shelby County Wilson, Macon, Smith & Sumner counties Washington & Carter Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell, Anderson & Knox Warren & White White, Jackson, Smith & Indian lands Part of North Carolina Hickman County Indian lands Jackson & Smith Davidson County Sumner County |
USA State Resources
Follow the links below to find many other helpful resources available in the U.S. states where your ancestors lived in the past.
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming