Hamilton County, Tennessee Genealogy
Guide to Hamilton County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Hamilton County was named for Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. The county is located in the southeastern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Hamilton County Courthouse
625 Georgia Ave., Room 201
Chattanooga, TN 37402
County Courthouse Phone: 423-209-6500
County Clerk Phone: 423-209-6500
Clerk and Master Phone: 423-209-6601
Circuit Court Clerk Phone: 423-209-6701
County Clerk has marriage records from 1857
County Health Department has birth records from 1949 and death records from 1972
Circuit Court and Clerk and Masters have divorce records
Clerk and Masters has probate records from 1865
Clerk and Masters and Register of Deeds has land records
Register of Deeds has military discharge records
Clerk Circuit Court has court records.[3]
Hamilton County, Tennessee Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth** | Marriage | Death** | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1881 | 1857 | 1881 | 1860 | 1796 | 1865 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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1871-1919: The extinct James created in 1871 went bankrupt and was merged back into Hamilton county in 1919 along with its courthouse records. However, James County Courthouse fires in 1890 and 1913 caused extensive record loss. The surviving James County records are now housed in Hamilton County.[5]
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
Daughter county. The extinct daughter county called James has been re-attached to Hamilton County. James County was created in 1871 from parts of Bradley and Hamilton counties. James County went bankrupt in 1919. As a result it was reincorporated into Hamilton County. James County is now extinct.[8]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[9]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Additional Information
East Tennessee county. Established 1819.
The county is named after Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (c1755-1804). [10]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
| See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information. | |
Additional Cemetery Resources
- Tennessee Cemeteries Hometown Locator
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 821 | — |
| 1830 | 2,276 | 177.2% |
| 1840 | 8,175 | 259.2% |
| 1850 | 10,075 | 23.2% |
| 1860 | 13,258 | 31.6% |
| 1870 | 17,241 | 30.0% |
| 1880 | 23,642 | 37.1% |
| 1890 | 53,482 | 126.2% |
| 1900 | 61,695 | 15.4% |
| 1910 | 89,267 | 44.7% |
| 1920 | 115,954 | 29.9% |
| 1930 | 159,497 | 37.6% |
| 1940 | 180,478 | 13.2% |
| 1950 | 208,255 | 15.4% |
| 1960 | 237,905 | 14.2% |
| 1970 | 254,236 | 6.9% |
| 1980 | 287,740 | 13.2% |
| 1990 | 285,536 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 307,896 | 7.8% |
| 2010 | 336,463 | 9.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Hamilton County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Tennessee Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than nationwide online indexes.
See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.
See Hamilton County, TN census assignments, including links to transcribed files. The USGenWeb Census Project®
1810-1891
1820 Lost[11]
1820 Manufactures
The original manufactures schedules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Tennessee are kept at NARA, Washington, D.C. FS Library copies: FS Library US/CAN Films 1024517-1024518.
- National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2m 1820. Covers this county.
- 1820 Census of Manufactures: Hamilton County, East Tennessee Roots, Vol. 8, No. 4:247.
1830
- Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.
- Douthat, James L. Early Settlers, Hamilton County, Tennessee: 1830-1850 Census. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1986. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 X2d. Free Lookups Available!
1840
- Douthat, James L. Early Settlers, Hamilton County, Tennessee: 1830-1850 Census. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1986. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 X2d. Free Lookups Available!
1840 Revolutionary War Pensioners
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FS Library US/CAN Film 2321. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Tennessee, Eastern District, Hamilton County on page 153.
1850
- Douthat, James L. Early Settlers, Hamilton County, Tennessee: 1830-1850 Census. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1986. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 X2d.
1860
- Scanned census images. USGenWeb Archives
- Douthat, James L. 1860 Hamilton County, Tennessee, Census. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1989. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 X2d 1860.
1880
- Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. 1880 Census, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: Byron Sistler ; Associates, 1996. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 X22s 1880.
1891 Male Voters
1900
- 1900 Census, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Free Lookups Available!
1930
- 1930 Census, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Lookups Available!
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records include baptisms, marriages and burials, as well as information about family members and clues about family migration.For additional information about church records, religions, and religious archives in Tennessee, see Tennessee Church Records.
- Hamilton County Church Records
- - FamilySearch Catalog - Hamilton County Church Records
- Church histories tell when a church started in the area, who the early members were, give data about church leaders, etc.
- - FamilySearch Catalog - Hamilton County Church History
- If the records you need are not found in the FamilySearch Library collection, contact the church(es) in the area where your ancestor lived.Two sites that give information about churches in Hamilton County are
- - List of Hamilton County churches with addresses and phone numbers (Yellowbook)
- - List of Hamilton County churches (TN HomeTownLocator)
- In 1936, a helpful guide to early Hamilton County church records was published by the Works Project Administration. [12]Use this guide to locate which church records exist and where they were housed in 1936. The Tennessee State Library and Archives has filmed some of these records. To locate which records are available at the TSLA, go to the appropriate "county fact sheet" on the TSLA Web site and scroll down to "selected manuscript material". All filmed church records at the TSLA for Hamilton County are listed. Many of these filmed records are also available at the FamilySearch Library.
Baptist
- 1848-1872 - Historical Records Survey. Concord Baptist Church minutes, 1848-1872, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Salt Lake City, Utah Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1943. Typescript. FS Catalog 24679 Item 2
- 1838-1876 - Historical Records Survey. Good Spring Baptist Church minutes, 1838-1876, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Salt Lake City, Utah Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1943. Typescript. FS Catalog 24679 Item 2
- 1859-1896 - Historical Records Survey. Ocoee Baptist Association minutes, 1859-1896, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Salt Lake City, Utah Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1943. Typescript. FS Catalog 24679 Item 1
Episcopal
- 1850-1900 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1850-1900. TSLA Reel #503
- 1850-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. FS Catalog 976.8 K29s vol.2 Index to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1850-1900.
- 1900-1950 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1900-1950. TSLA Reel #350
- 1900-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. FS Catalog 976.8 K29s vol.2 Index to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1900-1950.
Methodist Episcopal
- 1872-1954 - First Methodist Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1872-1954. TSLA Reel #455
- 1872-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. FS Catalog 976.8 K29s vol.2 Index to First Methodist Episcopal Church Records. Chattanooga, 1872-1954.
- 1875-1885 - First Methodist Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, Baptism Index 1875-1885. Batches C530281 and C530282 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1885-1895 - First Methodist Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, Marriage Index 1885-1895. Batches M530281 and M530282 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1899-1966 - Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South Records. Chattanooga, 1899-1966. TSLA Reel #454
- 1899-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. FS Catalog 976.8 K29s vol.2 Index to Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South Records. Chattanooga, 1899-1966.
Presbyterian
- 1881-1952 - Second Presbyterian Church Records. Chattanooga, 1881-1952.TSLA Reel #393
- 1881-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. FS Catalog 976.8 K29s vol.2 Index to Second Presbyterian Church Records. Chattanooga, 1881-1952.
The W.P.A. published a helpful survey in 1940:
- Directory of Churches, Missions, and Religious Institutions of Tennessee, no. 33, Hamilton County, Chattanooga. Nashville, Tenn.: Tennessee Historical Records Survey Project, 1940. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 E4h.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850: Index to Names. January 25, 2005. In addition to creating new laws, legislative acts were often required to obtain a divorce, grant legitimacy to a child, or for appointments to or grant payments for public service. The TSLA has created an index to names that appear in these acts covering the years 1796 to 1850. Online searchable index at TSLA.
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
- Chattanooga, TN, 1890. Chattanooga, TN: Connelly & Fais, 1890. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Chattanooga, TN, 1891. Chattanooga, TN: Connelly & Fais, 1891. Digital version at Ancestry ($)
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African American
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
200 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 266-8658
website
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
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Genealogies[edit | edit source]
- Wilson, John. Hamilton County Pioneers. Chelsea, Mich.: BookCrafters, 1998. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 D2w. Free Lookups Available!
- Wilson, John. Early Hamilton Settlers. Chattanooga, Tenn.: J. Wilson, 2001. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 D3w. Free Lookups Available!
- Boyd - Boyd, R. Vernon. The Boyds of Sequatchie Valley, Tn. Typescript, microfilmed in 1993. FS Library US/CAN Film 1750733 Item 37; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Hughes - Wilson, Duane Earl. Phetoma D. Epps (1837-1907) of Davidson County, North Carolina and Pope County, Arkansas and John Edward Hughes (1836-1885) Hamiliton County, Tennessee and Pope County, Arkansas: and Some of Their Ancestors, Descendants, and Related Families. Naperville, Ill.: D.E. Wilson, 1993. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ep76w.
- Lauderdale - Lauderdale, Charles J. The Lauderdales of Scotland and America, 1056-1936. Joplin, MO: Gahagan Print. Co., 1937. FS Library US/CAN Film 1307515 Item 5. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Young - Stein, Carl F. Some Descendents of James Pickens Young 1815: of Polk, Rhea, Hamilton, Blount, Knox Counties, Tenn., Cherokee, Gaston Counties, North Carolina. Family Group Sheets. FS Library US/CAN Film 2055385 Item 2.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
The original Hamilton County Deed Books are held at the County Courthouse. In the early 1990s, the Hamilton County Microfilm Department microfilmed Deed Books A to Y6 (1796-1901) and Indexes (1799-1929). Copies of their large collection of films are also available at the FamilySearch Library: FS Library US/CAN Films 1906056 ff.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Armstrong, Zella. The History of Hamilton County and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Chattanooga, Tenn.: Lookout Pub. Co., c1931-c1940. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Torrey, Bradford. Spring Notes from Tennessee.Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and company, c1896. Digital version,Description of local cabins, Confederate Veterans, Chattanooga in the 1890's.
- Ochs, Milton Barlow. Views: Chattanooga, Chickamauga national park, Look-out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob national cemetery, Tennessee River, Walden's Ridge. Chattanooga, Tennessee: Macgowan-Cooke Printing Co., 1905.Free digital copy.Photos and history of historical places and battlefields in Chattanooga.
- Parham, Louis L. Chattanooga, Tennessee: Hamilton County and Lookout Mountain. sp: 1876.Digital version.
- The history of Hamilton County and Chattanooga, Tennessee at Ancestry $
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Tennessee (1777-1985)
- 1871 Ruger, A. Bird's Eye View of the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Originally published 1871. ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.
- 1886 Wellege, Henry. Chattanooga, County Seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee. Originally published 1886. ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.
- 1890 Hopkins, G.M. A Map of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Originally published 1890. Shows streets, businesses, etc. ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.
- 1939 Viking Press for WPA. A Map of Chattanooga. Originally published 1939. ReevesMaps.com; website includes a scaled-down version of the map.
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
The following Hamilton County Revolutionary War records are available online through TNGenWeb:
Additional resources include:
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FS Library US/CAN Film 2321. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Tennessee, Eastern District, Hamilton County on page 153.
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." Digital version at Ancestry ($). Tennessee entries abstracted online at Tennesseans in the Revolutionary War, courtesy: TNGenWeb. Includes veterans from this county; Tennessee section begins on page 381.
- Veterans, Revolutionary through Indian Wars, Appalachian Families, Vol. 1, No. 2 (1988).
War of 1812
- Embry, Hermione D. "War of 1812 - Tennessee Pensioners on List - January 2, 1883," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 7, No. 3 (Jul. 1960):65-68; Vol. 7, No. 4 (Oct. 1960):90-93. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 7 (1960). Online at: Ansearchin' News. Includes Hamilton County pensioners 7(3):66 and James County pensioners 7(4):90).
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1891-1965 Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Research Database
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Regiments. Men in Hamilton County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Hamilton County:
Confederate Soldiers
- 1st Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Carter's) - CSA - Company B.
- 2nd Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Ashby's) - CSA - Company H.
- 4th Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry (Branner's) - CSA - Company A.
- 4th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry - CSA - Company H
- 5th Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry (McClellan's) - CSA - Company B.
- 5th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (McKenzie's) - CSA
- 8th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Smith's) - CSA - Company H.
- 19th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Companies A and I.
- 26th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (3rd East Tennessee Volunteers) - CSA - Companies G and H.
- 35th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (5th Infantry) (1st Mountain Rifle Regiment) - CSA - Company I.
- 36th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Companies H and K.
- 37th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (7th Infantry) (1st East Tennessee Rifles) - CSA - Company D and H.
- 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (Gillespie's) (5th East Tennessee Volunteers) - CSA - Company K.
Union Soldiers
- 5th Regiment, Tennessee Mounted Infantry - Company E.
- 8th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry - Company F.
- 9th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry - Company M.
- 10th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry - Company D.
Additional sources for Civil War soldiers from Hamilton County:
A good place to start is:
- Hughes, Nathaniel Cheairs and John C. Wilson. The Confederates, Soldiers of Hamilton County, Tennessee: An Alphabetical Listing of the Confederate Soldiers Who Lived at One Time in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2001. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 M2h.
- Boynton, Henry V. (Henry Van), 1835-1905; Kirkley, Joseph W. (Joseph William), 1841-1912.The National Military Park, Chickamauga -- Chattanooga. An Historical Guide (A roster of the Union and Confederate armies, at Chickamauga. Cincinnati). The Robert Clarke Co., 1895. Free digital copy.
- Curry, W.L. (William Leontes) b.1839: Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Ohio Commandery. Raid of the Confederate Cavalry through Central Tennessee, in October, 1863, commanded by General Joseph Wheeler. A paper read before the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion, April 1, 1908. (n.p.), 1908. Free digital copy.
- Turchin, John Basil. ...Chickamauga. Chicago: Fergus Printing Co., 1888. Free digital copy.
- Wehner, William. Battles of Chattanooga, Fought Nov. 23-25, 1863, by the armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee, under Generals Grant, Thomas, Sherman, and Hooker. General Bragg commanding the Confederate forces. Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and localities made famous by the battles of Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Graysville, Ringgold, etc.. Chicago, Illinois, W.J. Jefferson, 1886. Free digital copy.
- Worsham, William J. Old Nineteenth Tennessee Regiment, C.S.A. June, 1861-April, l865. Knoxville, Tennessee: Press of Paragon Printing Co., 1902. Free digital copy.
- Genealogy Trails, Hamilton County Tennessee Military.
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Hamilton County. Includes soldier's name, county, pension #, unit or widow.
- United States Pension Bureau, List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883: Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for ... (Washington Printing Office; 1883). Online at Internet Archive. Hamilton County, page 341.
- CWSAC, Battle Summaries, Chattanooga. Located in Hamilton County and City of Chattanooga. Wauhatchie, located in Hamilton, Marion and Dade County.
- American Memory, Selected Civil War Photographs, 1861-1865. Chattanooga.
- United States Pension Bureau, List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883: Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for ... (Washington Printing Office; 1883). Online at Internet Archive. Hamilton County, page 340-342.
- Hamilton County Tennessee Civil War Soldiers. Confederate and Union
Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battles were fought in Hamilton County.[13]
- June 7-8, 1862 - Chattanooga I.
- August 21, 1863 - Chattanooga II.
- October 28-29, 1863 - Wauhatchie, also known as Brown's Ferry.
- November 23-25, 1863 - Chattanooga III.
- Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Newspapers on Microfilm at the Library & Archives at TSLA; some may be accessed via interlibrary loan to libraries within Tennessee
- See Interlibrary Loan Policies for more information
- See Interlibrary Loan Policies for more information
For a list of newspapers available at the archives for Hamilton county click on the following cities or towns:
- 1847 - 1851 - Smith, Jonathan K.T. Genealogical Abstracts from Reported Deaths, the Nashville Christian Advocate. [1847-1914] 10 vols. [Jackson, Tenn.]: J.K.T. Smith, 1997-2003. FS Library US/CAN Books 976.855/N1 V48s 1847-1851 ff; digital versions at David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository. Website expands upon the publications and includes deaths from the 1830s, 1840s, 1910s and 1920s. (Largely Methodist?)
- 1800s-Current Tennessee, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1873-Onward Tennessee, Hamilton County Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
For deaths of Methodists in Hamilton County between the 1830s and the 1920s, try searching the following Obituaries: Hamilton County Obituaries from TNGenWeb.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Prisons[edit | edit source]
- 1831-1850 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
- 1851-1870 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Genealogical periodicals can contain unique sources and can be local, regional, or statewide. The following periodicals cover this county:
- Ansearchin' News: Quarterly magazine of the Tennessee Genealogical Society. Perform keyword searches and read online articles of some previous issues at Ansearchin' News. FS Library Book 976.8 B2a.
- East Tennessee Roots: Published by East Tennessee Roots The table of contents for some issues are available on their website; FS Library Book 976.8 D25e.
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Hamilton County's early will books were destroyed in the Civil War. Surviving will books are held at the County Courthouse. In the early 1990s, the Hamilton County Microfilm Department microfilmed Will Books 1 to 6 (1862-1936) and an Index. FS Library copies: FS Library Films 1905945, 1940267-1940269.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1779-2008 Tennessee Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 at Ancestry ($)
- 1862-1936 Hamilton County Tennessee list of will book testators SAMPUBCO - Browsable index of testators of wills.
- 1862-1936 Hamilton County portion of Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; handwritten indexes may be found at the front or back of some volumes.
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1862-1892 - Douthat, James L. Hamilton County, Tennessee, Will Book 1. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1996. FS Library Book 976.882 P2dj.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1836 "Hamilton County, Tennessee 1836 Tax List," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Spring 1982):25-31. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a; digital version at [https://tngs.org/Ansearchn-News
Ansearchin' News].
- 1836 Douthat, James L. 1836 Hamilton County, Tennessee, Civil Districts and Tax Lists. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1993. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.882 R4d
- 1836-1837 Tax Lists, 1836-37, by District, Southern Roots & Shoots. Rossville GA: Aug 1993. Vol. 9 Iss. 3.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
- W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Digital Library.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1828-1939 Tennessee Births and Christenings 1828-1939 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1869-1909 Tennessee Delayed Birth Records 1869-1909 at Ancestry ($)
- 1879-1915 Chattanooga Births, 1879-1915(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images; also at: Tennessee State Library and Archives
- 1908-1912 Tennessee, Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Online Indexes and Records
- 1625-1966 Tennessee, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1780-2002 Tennessee State Marriages 1780-2002 at Ancestry ($)
- 1780-2002 Tennessee State Marriage Index 1780-2002 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1790-1962 Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950 [1790-1962] at FamilySearch- How to Use this Collection. Covers all counties in Tennessee.
- 1796-1950 Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950 (Indexes only) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1838-1888 Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1851-1900 Tennessee Marriages 1851-1900 at Ancestry ($)
- 1857-1900 Hamilton County Marriage Index 1857-1900 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[14]
- 1857- Current year Hamilton County - online records from the Hamilton County Clerk
- 1980-2014 Marriage Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
| Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1857-1863 Early East Tennessee Marriages. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 V2 2 vols.
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1874-1955 Tennessee Deaths and Burials 1874-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1908-1933 Tennessee Deaths, 1908 - 1933 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1908-1958 Tennessee Death Records 1908 - 1958 at Ancestry ($)
- 1908-1912 Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1933 Tennessee Death Records 1914-1933 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1966 Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1949-2014 Death Records Index 1949-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1796-1850 Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1980-2014 Divorce Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
- 1800-1965 Tennessee. Tennessee Divorce and Other Records, 1800-1965. Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Available at Ancestry ($)
Online Titles
- W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Digital Library. Note: This guide contains some divorces for James County, which is now defunct and has been reincorporated into Hamilton County.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Hamilton County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Chattanooga Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Loudon Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Tullahoma Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Chattanooga Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Cleveland Bradley County Public Library History Branch - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Hamilton County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Chattanooga Public Library
1001 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-643-7700
Website
Avondale Library
1305 Dodson Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Phone: 423-643-6998
Website
Eastgate Library
5705 Marlin Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: 423-643-7770
Website
Northgate Library
278 Northgate Mall Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37415
Phone: 423-643-7785
Website
South Chattanooga Library
925 West 39th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37410
Phone: 423-643-7780
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone: 423-266-8658
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Hamilton County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.
Hamilton County Tennessee Genealogy Society
430 Runyan Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Email: dwilson@hctgs.org
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Hamilton County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Hamilton County, courtesy: TSLA. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hamilton, Tennessee" in [1] accessed 20 Dec 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ James County, Tennessee at Wikipedia (accessed 25 May 2010).
- ↑ Lost Records: Courthouse Fires and Disasters in Tennessee in Tennessee State Library and Archives in Tennessee Secretary of State.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Robert M. McBride, "Lost Counties of Tennessee," East Tennessee Historical Society's Publications 38 (1966): 11-14.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hamilton County, Tennessee," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_County%2C_Tennessee, accessed 16 November 2019.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hamilton, Tennessee" in [2] accessed 20 Dec 2018
- ↑ Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists: a compiled list of residents of the area covered in 22 east Tennessee counties for which there is (sic) no census records prior to 1830 (Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing, 1964) [FS Catalog 976.8 R4c].
- ↑ WPA. Guide to Church Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville: Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1942. FS Catalog 976.8 K23w
- ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/d/d3/Igitennesseef.pdf.
