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Madison County, Tennessee Genealogy

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Guide to Madison County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Jackson
Organized: November 7, 1821
Parent County(s): Chickasaw Indian Lands[1]
Neighboring Counties
Carroll • Chester • Crockett • Gibson • Hardeman • Haywood • Henderson
See County Maps
Courthouse
330x
Location Map
Location of Madison County, Tennessee.PNG

County Information

Description

Madison County was named for founding father and president, James Madison. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.[2]

County Courthouse

Madison County Courthouse
100 East Main, Room 105
Jackson, TN 38301
County Courthouse Phone: 731-423-6022
County Clerk Phone: 731-423-6022
Chancery Court Phone: 731-423-6030
Register of Deeds Phone: 731-423-6089

Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
515 S. Liberty Street, Suite 200
Jackson, TN 38301
Circuit Court Clerk Phone: 731-423-6035

County Clerk has marriage records from 1823 (except 1833-1845), probate records from 1825.
Register of Deeds has land records.[3]

Madison 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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[4]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1925 1823 1925 1821 1821 1825 1810
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1908 (1913 missing). General compliance by 1927.

Record Loss

  • Lack of marriage records: 1821 to 1837
  • Lost probate records: 1821 to 1824

For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:

Boundary Changes

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:[6]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
Historic communities


History Timeline

Additional Information

President James Madison (1751-1836)


West Tennessee county established 1821.

The county is named after President James Madison (1751-1836).[7]

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

  • West Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1821 to 1889. 2006. By Alan N. Miller. Baltimore, Md.: Clearfield Company. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 U2man. Online at MyHeritage ($). Includes Madison County.

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Madison County, Tennessee online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information.


Additional Cemetery Resources

Census Records

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1830 11,594 —
1840 16,530 42.6%
1850 21,470 29.9%
1860 21,535 0.3%
1870 23,480 9.0%
1880 30,874 31.5%
1890 30,497 −1.2%
1900 36,333 19.1%
1910 39,357 8.3%
1920 43,824 11.3%
1930 51,059 16.5%
1940 54,115 6.0%
1950 60,128 11.1%
1960 60,655 0.9%
1970 65,727 8.4%
1980 74,546 13.4%
1990 77,982 4.6%
2000 91,837 17.8%
2010 98,294 7.0%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Madison 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 Madison County, TN census assignments, including links to transcribed files. The USGenWeb Census Project®

1810-1891

1840 Pensioners

1850

1860

1870

1880

1891 Male Voters

Church Records

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Methodist

Memphis Conference United Methodist Archives
Luther L. Gobbel Library
Lambuth University
24 Corporate Blvd
Jackson, TN 38305
Telephone: 731-664-8480
Website

Court Records

Law and Legislation

  • 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

Emigration and Immigration

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

African Americans

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

  • Bonner - Bonner, Kathryn R. The Bonner Family Record: This Record is Primarily of the Bonners of Surry and Sussex Counties, Virginia, Those that Went to Wilson, Madison and Shelby Counties, Tennessee, and Those that Went on to Phillips County, Arkansas: Today the Descendants are Spread into Many States. Marianna, Ark.: K.R. Bonner, 1979. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 3414.
  • Byron - See Byrum.
  • Byrum - Byron, Mark Bennett. Descendants of Henry Byrom of Virginia. Waterbury, CT: Heminway Press, 1956. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  • Derryberry - Williams, John T. The John Wesley C. Derryberry Family, ca. 1800-1973. MSS., microfilmed in 1983. FS Library US/CAN Fiche 6019288.
  • Derryberry - Graziano, Eugene Edward and Freida Mullen Graziano. The Andrew Derryberry, Sr., (bef. 1780) Family Line: A Genealogy Including Individuals Related through Marriage ... Goleta, Calif.: E. & F.M. Graziano, 1999. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 D448g.
  • Gibbs - Smith, Jonathan K.T. The Gibbs Place in Madison County, Tennessee. n.p.: J.K.T. Smith, 1993. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 G355s.
  • Luckey - Luckey, Ann Colvin and Elizabeth Luckey Bennett. The Luckey Family of Tennessee: A Genealogical History of the John Henry Luckey, William Franklin Luckey and Samuel Joseph Luckey of Gibson/Madison Counties, Tennessee Their Ancestors and Descendants, 1732-1987. Cullman, Ala.: Gregath, 1987. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 L964L.
  • Robison - Robison, Maude. Robison Family of Jackson, Madison, Tennessee. MSS., microfilmed in 2002. FS Library US/CAN Fiche 6004138.
  • Watlington - Watlington, Elton A. and Janice T. Watlington. Watlingtons of West Tennessee, 1830-1997. Jackson, Tenn.: Minuteman Press, 1997. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 W329w.
  • Watlington - Watlington, Janice T. and Elton A. Watlington. Watlingtons and Allied Families: Genealogical Data, 1830-1997; Madison County, Western Tennessee. Memphis, Tenn.: J.T. Watlington, 1997?. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 W329w supp.
  • Young - Young, Joseph Futrell. Ancestors of Joseph Clifford Young, b. 23 June 1891, Madison County, Tennessee, d. 6 Jul 1967, Marianna, Lee, Arkansas. n.p.: J.F. Young, 1999. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 Y85j.

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

  • Madison County Register of Deeds at 100 East Main St. Suite 109 Jackson, Tennessee 38301, telephone 731-423-6089, has records of deeds, trust deeds, liens, charters of incorporation, maps, plats, military discharges, and all UCC filing on personal property.
  • The FamilySearch Library has microfilm copies of deeds 1821-1964 and trust deeds which are indexed; and land ownership map for 1877 from the Library of Congress.

Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories

Maps and Gazetteers

Gibson CountyCarroll CountyHenderson CountyChester CountyHardeman CountyHaywood CountyCrockett CountyTN MADISON.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

Military Records

Revolutionary War
The following Madison 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, Western District, Madison County on page 159.
  • 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. Includes veterans from this county; Tennessee section begins on page 381.

War of 1812

  • Embry, Hermione D. "War of 1812 - Tennessee Pensioners on List - January 2, 1883," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Jan. 1961):20-23. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 8 (1961); digital version at Ansearchin' News. Includes Madison County pensioners (p. 21).

Civil War

Online Records

Regiments. Men in Madison 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 Madison County:

Confederate Soldiers

Additional sources for Civil War soldiers from Madison County:

Civil War Battle
The following battle was fought in Madison County.[8]

Naturalization and Citizenship

Newspapers

For a list of newspapers available at the archives for Madison County click on the following city:

Other places for Madison County, Tennessee newspapers:

  • Newspapers.com has the Whig & Tribune (Jackson, Tenn.) from 1872-1874.

Obituaries

Other Records

Prisons

Periodicals

Genealogical periodicals can contain unique sources and can be local, regional, or statewide. The following periodicals cover this county:

Probate Records

The County Court and Circuit Court have responsibility for Madison County probate records.

Online Probate Indexes and Records

Book Abstracts and Indexes

  • 1821-1861 Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Tennessee Wills & Administrations 1779-1861. Nashville, Tenn. Byron Sistler & Associates, Inc., 1990. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 P22s. Includes an index to this county's probate records.
  • 1821-1937 Jonathan K.T. Smith's Last Will and Testament Abstracts for Madison County Will Books 1 to C (1821 to 1937) are available online at David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository.

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

Book Abstracts and Indexes[9]

  • 1821-1826 Madison County, Tennessee Tax Book, Vol. I, 1821-26, Family Findings, Vol. 15, No. 4 (Oct. 1983). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1822-1832 Historical Records Project. Tax Books, 1822-1832, Madison County, Tennessee. Typescript, Tennessee State Library, Nashville, Tenn. Microfilmed in 1939. FS Library US/CAN Film 24759.
  • 1823 Tax Roll, 1823, Family Findings, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Jul. 1972). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1833 "Madison County Justices Approve Land Sale for Unpaid 1833 Taxes," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 50, No. 3 (Fall 2003):8. For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1837 "Madison County Unpaid 1837 Taxes," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Winter 1999):50. For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1854 Delinquent Railroad Taxes, 1854, Family Findings, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Oct. 2005). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1857 Tax Collector Report, 1857, Family Findings, Vol. 37, No. 3 (2005). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1865-1866 Smith, Jonathan K.T. Persons Appearing on the Federal Direct Tax, Madison County, Tennessee, 1865-1866. 1996. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.827 R4s.
  • 1866 Madison County, Tennessee Poll Tax Insolvencies for 1866, Family Findings, Vol. 32, No. 3 (July 2000). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1866 Poll Tax Insolvencies, 1866, Virginia Genealogical Society Newsletter, Vol. 26, No. 6 (Dec. 2000).
  • 1867 Delinquent Tax Payers, 1867, Family Findings, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Jan. 1999). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1870-1871 Taxation, 1870-71, Family Findings, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Jan. 1999). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1873 Persons Asking to be Released from Poll Tax, 1873, Family Findings, Vol. 31, No. 4 (1999). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1880's Madison County, Tennessee Courthouse Records Release of Poll Tax 1880s, Family Findings, Vol. 32, No. 2 (April 2000). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • 1919 Madison County, Persons Released from Paying Poll Tax in 1919, Family Findings, Vol. 34, No. 3 (July 2002). For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
  • Smith, Jonathan K.T. Antebellum Militia, Justices and Some Early Taxpayers Madison County, Tennessee. Jackson, Tenn.: J.K.T. Smith, 1998. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.827 P2sjk.

Vital Records

Birth

Marriage

Online indexes and Records

Book Abstracts and Indexes

Death

Divorce

Online Records

Online Titles

  • W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Digital Library

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Madison 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

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Madison County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.

Jackson-Madison County Library
433 E Lafayette St.
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: 731-425-8600
Website
The Tennessee Room has a variety of resources including County Records, Census Schedules, Newspapers, Death Indexes and Certificates, Maps, City Directories, Funeral Records, Photographs, etc.

Library North
Branch of the Jackson-Madison County Library
3189 North Highland, Units F & G
Jackson, TN 38305
Phone: 731-425-8600
Facebook

Hatchie River Regional Library
63 Executive Dr
Jackson, TN 38305
Phone: 731-668-0710
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 Madison County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.

Bemis Historical Society
P.O. Box 9266
Murray Station
Jackson, TN 38314-9266
Website
Facebook

Websites

Research Guides

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Madison, Tennessee" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_County,_Tennessee accessed 27 Dec 2018
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Madison County, Tennessee," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_County,_Tennessee, accessed 2 December 2019.
  7. ↑ "List of counties in Tennessee," Wikipedia.
  8. ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.
  9. ↑ The Heritage Quest Online version of PERSI aided in the compilation of this list.
  10. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at Media:Igitennesseel.pdf.
  11. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at Media:Igitennesseel.pdf.
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