Houston County, Tennessee Genealogy
(Redirected from Houston County, Tennessee)
Guide to Houston County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Houston County was named for Sam Houston. The county is located in the northwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Houston County Courthouse
4725 East Main Street
PO Box 388
Erin, TN 37061-0388
County Courthouse Phone: 931-289-3633
County Clerk Phone: 931-289-3141
Clerk Circuit Court Phone: 931-289-4673
Register of Deeds Phone: 931-289-3510
Marriage records, divorce and court records
Probate records, land records.[3]
Houston County, Tennessee 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 |
| 1881 | 1871 | 1881 | 1871 | 1871 | 1869 | 1810 |
Record Loss
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.[5] |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
History Timeline
Additional Information
Middle Tennessee county on the Tennessee River. Established 1871.
The county is named after Sam Houston (1793-1863), Governor of Tennessee and later of Texas.[8]
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- Middle Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1784 to 1902. 2004. By Alan N. Miller. Baltimore, Md.: Clearfield Company. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 U2ma. Includes Houston County.
Cemeteries
| See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information. | |
Additional Cemetery Resources
- Tennessee Cemeteries - Hometown Locator
- Houston County, Tennessee Cemetery Listing - cemetery information with transcriptions
- Douthat, James L. Kentucky Lake Reservoir Cemeteries. Vol. 2. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1988. Free Surname Index and purchase details at Mountain Press website.
- Maupin, Judith Ann Cemetery Records of Land Between the Lakes (Betweist Rivers) 1814-1982 May 1982. Cemetery records of land between the lakes
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1880 | 4,295 | — |
| 1890 | 5,390 | 25.5% |
| 1900 | 6,476 | 20.1% |
| 1910 | 6,224 | −3.9% |
| 1920 | 6,212 | −0.2% |
| 1930 | 5,555 | −10.6% |
| 1940 | 6,432 | 15.8% |
| 1950 | 5,318 | −17.3% |
| 1960 | 4,794 | −9.9% |
| 1970 | 5,845 | 21.9% |
| 1980 | 6,871 | 17.6% |
| 1990 | 7,018 | 2.1% |
| 2000 | 8,088 | 15.2% |
| 2010 | 8,426 | 4.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Houston 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.
1810-1891
1880
- Finley, Nina. Census of Houston County Area.Erin, Tennessee Friends of Houston County Library, 19--?. vol.9 FS Catalog 976.836 X2f
- Sistler, Samuel D. 1880 census - Houston County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: B. Sistler & Associates, 2000. FS Catalog 976.836 X2s 1880
1890 Lost
Substitutes are available:
- Reed, Sue S. Enumeration of Male Inhabitants of Twenty-one Years of Age and Upward, Citizens of Tennessee, January 1, 1891, as Provided for by an Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, Passed January 15, 1891, and Approved January 22, 1891. 8 vols. Houston, Texas: S.S. Reed, 1989. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2r v. 2 1891. Houston County is included in Vol. 2.
- Sistler, Byron H. and Barbara Sistler. 1890 Civil War Veterans Census, Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: Byron Sister and Associates, 1978. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1890.
Male Voters
- 1891 Tennessee Enumeration of Male Voters 1891 at Ancestry ($)
1900
- Finley, Nina. Census of Houston County Area.Erin, Tennessee Friends of Houston County Library, 19--?. vol.10 FS Catalog 976.836 X2f
1920
- Bush, Marisa, ed.. Houston County, Tennessee Census, 1920 (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000. Available at Ancestry ($)
Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
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
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Genealogies
Bibliography
- Adams - Proctor, Irene Adams. The Adams Family Kith and Kin: From Halifax County, Virginia to Yellow Creek Valley and Grices Creek, Houston County, Tennessee; a Narrative Account: History, Biography, Genealogy and Legend. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 2000. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ad17pi.
- Beasley - Lockhart, William Thomas. The Beasley Family of Benton, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart Counties of Tennessee. Florissant, Missouri: W. Lockhart, 1985. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 B38Lw.
- Knight - Garrett, Jill Knight. Knight Cousins. Columbia, TN: Unknown, 1967. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
- Houston County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1871 and is located at the county Courthouse, P.O. Box 388, 100 Main St., Erin, Tennessee 37061; Telephone: (931) 289-3141. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries.
- The FamilySearch Library has microfilm copies of deed books 1871-1967; probate deed books 1871-1957; trust deed books, 1872-1967; Plat books 1853-1967.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Goodspeed firm Goodspeed history of Tennessee The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1886 for histories of Montgomery, Robinson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham, and Houston Counties of Tennessee.
- Finley, Nina - compiled from records housed at Houston County Board of Education Houston County School Data Pre-1930. 1991
- McClain, Iris Hopkins A history of Houston County. 1966 FS Library US/CAN book 976.836 H2
Maps and Gazetteers
Click a neighboring county
for more resources
for more resources
- Maps of Tennessee (1777-1985)
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
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. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 7 (1960); digital version at Ansearchin' News. Includes Houston County pensioners (p. 68).
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
- 1861-1865 U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
- 1891-1965 Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Other Resources
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Houston 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. Houston County, page 348.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 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 Houston County click on the following city:
- 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 ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
Prisons
- 1831-1850 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
- 1851-1870 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
Periodicals
Genealogical periodicals can contain unique sources and can be local, regional, or statewide. The following periodicals cover this county:
- The River Counties Quarterly: (14 vols.) edited by Jill K. Garrett. The FamilySearch Library has a complete collection FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2rc.
Probate Records
The Houston County Court has responsibility for the probate records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1779-2008 Tennessee Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 at Ancestry ($)
- 1869-1966 Houston 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
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Vital Records
Birth
- 1881-1882 - Houston County Birth Index 1881-1882. Batch C519333 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch.org- free.[9]
- 1908-1912 Tennessee, Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage
Online Indexes and Records
- 1625-1966 Tennessee, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1780-2002 Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. ($) May not be complete for all counties.
- 1790-1962 Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950 - at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection. Covers all counties in Tennessee.
- 1796-1950 Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950 (Indexes only) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1838-1888 Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch.org - How to Use this Collection
- 1871-1937 - Houston County Marriage Index 1871-1937 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch.org
- 1980-2014 Marriage Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- Finley, Nina. Newspaper clipping collection: from the attic of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Brigham. Erin, Tennessee: Friends of Houston County Library, 19--. FS Library Book 976.836 B39f
Death
- 1874-1955 Tennessee Deaths and Burials 1874-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1908-1933 Tennessee Deaths, 1908 - 1933 at MyHeritage ($) — 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
Online Records
- 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
Online Titles
- W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Books Online
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Houston County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Tennessee 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
- Clarksville Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Dickson Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Paris Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Brentwood Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Houston County Archives - an affiliate library.
- Tennessee State Library and Archives - an affiliate library.
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Houston County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Houston County Public Library
24 S. Spring Street
Erin, TN 37061
Phone: 931-289-3858
Website
West Tennessee Heritage Study Center
Paul Meek Library
10 Wayne Fisher Dr.
Martin, TN 38238
Phone: 731-881-7065
Website
Houses a variety of genealogical resources including materials relating to the following counties in Tennessee: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Stewart, Tipton, Wayne, Weakley and Carlisle (KY), Fulton (KY), and Hickman (KY) counties in Kentucky.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Houston County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.
Houston County Historical Society
Erin, TN 37061
Email: jbthree@peoplestel.net
Facebook
Websites
- Houston County, Tennessee by Dan Martin. Genealogy Resources, Local History, Queries
- Houston County, Tennessee Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Houston County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
- Rootwalker: Genealogy Pages for Northern Middle TN Free Genealogy Resources for the Region
- Houston County TN Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- 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
- Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Houston County, courtesy: TSLA. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)
References
- ↑ "Tennessee County" in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_County,_North_Carolina, accessed 2 October 2023; Eichholz, Alice. Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, 3rd edition. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 639. FS Catalog book 973 D27rb; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Houston, Tennessee" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_County,_Tennessee accessed 21 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.
- ↑ Robert M.McBride, Tennessee County Data (Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee States Library and Archives, 1966), 29.
- ↑ "Tennessee County" in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_County,_North_Carolina, accessed 2 October 2023; Eichholz, Alice. Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, 3rd edition. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 639. FS Catalog book 973 D27rb; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "List of counties in Tennessee," Wikipedia.
- ↑ 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.