Harris County, Georgia Genealogy
Guide to Harris County, Georgia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for Charles Harris, a Georgia judge and attorney. The county is located in the west central area of the state. [2]
County Courthouse
Harris County Courthouse
PO Box 528
Hamilton, GA 31811-0528
Phone: 706-628-4944
Harris County Website
Probate Court has marriage and probate records.
Clerk Superior Court has land records from 1827, divorce and court records from 1927.
County Health Department has birth and death records.[3]
Harris County, Georgia Record Dates
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 |
| 1919 | 1828 | 1919 | 1927 | 1827 | 1828 | 1820 |
Record Loss
|
1865 A fire at the courthouse was quickly extinguished.[5] |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
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:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- Harris County Bible Records at Georgia Pioneers
- Harris County Bible Records at Georgia USGenWeb Archives Project
- Harris County Bible Records at Google Books
- James & Elizabeth Satterwhite Family Bible at USGenNet
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Georgia, State Employees at MyHeritage — index ($)
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 5,105 | — |
| 1840 | 13,933 | 172.9% |
| 1850 | 14,721 | 5.7% |
| 1860 | 13,736 | −6.7% |
| 1870 | 13,284 | −3.3% |
| 1880 | 15,758 | 18.6% |
| 1890 | 16,797 | 6.6% |
| 1900 | 18,009 | 7.2% |
| 1910 | 17,886 | −0.7% |
| 1920 | 15,775 | −11.8% |
| 1930 | 11,140 | −29.4% |
| 1940 | 11,428 | 2.6% |
| 1950 | 11,265 | −1.4% |
| 1960 | 11,167 | −0.9% |
| 1970 | 11,520 | 3.2% |
| 1980 | 15,464 | 34.2% |
| 1990 | 17,788 | 15.0% |
| 2000 | 23,695 | 33.2% |
| 2010 | 32,024 | 35.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Georgia denominations, see the Georgia Church Records wiki page.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
- 1828-1880 Minutes of Various Courts, 1828-1880 [Harris County, Georgia](*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1828-1908 Inferior Court Minutes, Sitting for Ordinary Purposes, 1828-1908(*); Inferior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1829-1909 Superior Court Minutes, 1829-1909(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1858-1921 County Officer Bonds, 1858-1921 [Harris County, Georgia](*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Cox Funeral Home in Hamilton
- M. W. Lee Mortuary in West Point
- Terry Family Funeral Home, LLC. in Hamilton
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Georgia Land and Property for additional information about early Georgia land grants from the government. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions (generally buying and selling deeds) were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1735-1866 Georgian Colonial and Headright Plat Index, 1735-1866 at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - alpha index
- 1783-1909 Headright and Bounty Plats, 1783-1909 at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
- 1805-1833 District Plats of Survey at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images organized by county and district
- Colonial Plats and Warrants at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Harris County, Georgia Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Georgia Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- 1740s-? Historic Map File at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images
- 1866 - 1935 County Map File at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images
- Maps of Georgia (1758-1932)
Migration
Military Records
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Georgia Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1861-1865 Georgia Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 Confederate Enlistment Oaths and Discharges at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault- images and alphabetical index
- 1861-1865 Confederate Muster Rolls at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault- images; filter by commanding officer, service branch and regiment
- 1861-1865 Confederate Pension Application Supplements - images and alphabetical index; filter by county
- 1864 Militia Enrollment Lists, 1864 - images; filter by county
- 1867-1868 Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books, 1867-1868 at FamilySearch — index
- 1879-1920 Georgia, Confederate Pension Rolls, 1879-1920 at FamilySearch — index
- 1879-1960 Confederate Pension Applications - images and alphabetical index; filter by county
Regiments. Service men in Harris County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Harris County:
- - 17th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company H
- - 20th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company E
- - 31st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company H
- - 35th Battalion, Georgia (Confederate), Company H
- - 35th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company K
- - 46th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company E
- - 54th Regiment, Georgia Infantry
- Barfield, Louise Calhoun. 1961. History of Harris County, Georgia, 1827-1961. Columbus? Georgia: s.n. (67th Regiment page 278, 288; 3rd Cavalry page 296; 2nd Brigade Company E; Chapter XIII list Regiment and Brigade) 975.8466 H2b digital version
- Georgia. Superior Court (Harris County). 1963. Confederate roster, 1861-1865. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. 327558 item 4
Spanish-American War
- 1898 Spanish-American War Service Summary Cards - images and alphabetical index; filter by residence, muster location and unit
World War I
- 1914-1918 World War I Casualties Scrapbooks - images and alphabetical index
- 1920-1929 Georgia, World War I, Statement of Service Cards, 1920-1929 at FamilySearch — index & images
World War II
- 1940-1942 Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards 1940-1942 at findmypast - index ($))
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Georgia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Georgia Historic Newspapers at Digital Library of Georgia
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Colonial courts kept some early probate records. From 1777 to 1798 and since 1852, the court of ordinary or register of probates has kept probate and guardianship records. The inferior court handled probate and guardianship matters from 1798 to 1852.
Many probate records to the 1930s and 1940s are at the Georgia Department of Archives and History and the FamilySearch Library on microfilm.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, naturalizations, marriage, adoption, and birth and death records (not all years).
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1733-1753 Colonial Wills at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
- 1742-1990 Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990(*) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1742-1992 Georgia Wills and Probate Records 1742-1992 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1754-1776 Colonial Will Books at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
- 1824-1921 Wills, Inventories, Appraisements, Guardian and Administrator Bonds, Returns, Sales, and Vouchers, 1824-1921(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1828-1924 Marriages, 1828-1924(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1828-1940 General Index to Estates, 1828-1940(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1833-1932 Wills, 1833-1932(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1835-1932 Names of Families in Harris County Genealogy Resources, Wills, Estates, Marriages, Maps at Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1849-1866 Administrator and Guardian Bonds, 1849-1866 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1856-1865 Letters of Administration and Bonds, 1856-1865 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1857-1937 Twelve Months' Support Widow's and Minor Children's, 1857-1937 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1865-1877 Temporary Letters of Administration 1865-1872, and, Administrator and Guardian Bonds and Temporary Letters 1865-1877 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1865-1898 Letters Testamentary and Guardianship 1865-1869, and, Administrator and Guardian Bonds, Oaths, and Letters, 1877-1898 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — partial index & images
- 1889-1931 Letters of Dismission, 1889-1931 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1892-1962 Letters of Administration 1892-1958, and, Temporary Administrator Bonds, Oaths, and Letters 1893-1962 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1898-1955 Guardian Bonds and Letters, 1898-1955 Harris County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and all slaves up to age 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district.
- 1787-1900 Georgia, Tax Digests, 1787-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection, index & images
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Georgia State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Georgia.
- 1870-1960 Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records, 1870-1960 at FamilySearch — index, and some images
Birth
Marriage
- 1560-1993 Georgia, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1699-1944 Georgia Marriages 1699-1944 at Ancestry — index $
- 1754-1960 Georgia Church Marriages, 1754-1960 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1785-1950 Georgia County Marriages 1785-1950 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1808-1967 Georgia Marriages 1808-1967 at FamilySearch — index
- 1828-1860 Harris County Marriage Index 1828-1860. Batch M713031 at FamilySearch[8]
- 1828-1860 Index to Harris County Marriages 1828-1860 Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1828-1978 Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1859-1872 Index to Harris County Marriages 1859-1872 Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1859-1883 Harris County Marriage Index 1859-1883. Batch M713032 at FamilySearch
- 1877-1892 Harris County Marriage Index 1877-1892. Batch M713033 at FamilySearch
- 1890-1895 Harris County Marriage Index 1890-1895. Batch M713035 at FamilySearch
- 1893-1895 Harris County Marriage Index 1893-1895. Batch M713034 at FamilySearch
Death
- 1870-1960 Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records, 1870-1960 at FamilySearch — index, and some images
- 1914-1927 Georgia Deaths 1914-1927 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1919-1998 Georgia Deaths 1919-1998 at Ancestry — index $
- 1919-1930 Georgia Death Certificates at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - index & images
- 1928-1930 Georgia Non-Indexed Death Certificates at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images
- 1928-1942 Georgia Deaths, 1928-1942 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1933-1998 Georgia Death Index 1933-1998 at FamilySearch — index
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Harris County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Georgia Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
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
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Harris County. For state-wide library facilities, see Georgia Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Harris County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Georgia Societies.
Chattahoochee Valley Historical Society
Oakleigh House
3419 20th Ave
Valley, AL 36854
334-768-2050
Email: cvhs@cvhistoricalsociety.org
Website
Facebook
Historic Chattahoochee Commission
Email: histchattcom@gmail.com
Website
Muscogee Genealogical Society
PO Box 761
Columbus, GA 31902
Email: calliebmcginnis@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Georgia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- USGenWeb Harris County, Georgia project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- GAGenWeb Archives
- Harris County, Georgia Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Georgia Pioneers Georgia Pioneers
- 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
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Harris County, Georgia" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_County,_Georgia accessed 31 Oct 2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Harris County, Georgia. Page 151-163 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 155-160.
- ↑ Paul K. Graham, Georgia Courthouse Disasters (Decatur, Georgia: Genealogy Co., 2013), 36-37. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Harris County, Georgia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_County%2C_Georgia, accessed 22 Febuary 2019.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/5/57/Igigeorgiael.pdf.