Monroe County, Georgia Genealogy
Guide to Monroe County, Georgia 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]
The county was named for James Monroe, American statesman and Founding Father who served as the fifth President of the United States from 1817 to 1825. The county is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Monroe County Courthouse
PO Box 189
Forsyth, GA 31029-0189
Phone: 912-994-7000
Monroe County Website
Probate Court has marriage, probate records from 1824, birth records from 1927 and death records from 1940.
Clerk Superior Court has court and land records from 1821 and divorce records.[3]
Monroe County, Georgia 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 |
| 1927 | 1824 | 1940 | 1821 | 1821 | 1824 | 1820 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.[5] |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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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:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Ghost towns | ||
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
- Monroe County Bible Records at Georgia USGenWeb Archives Project
- Monroe County Family Bible Records at Rootsweb
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- Georgia, State Employees at MyHeritage — index ($)
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 16,202 | — |
| 1840 | 16,275 | 0.5% |
| 1850 | 16,985 | 4.4% |
| 1860 | 15,953 | −6.1% |
| 1870 | 17,213 | 7.9% |
| 1880 | 18,808 | 9.3% |
| 1890 | 19,137 | 1.7% |
| 1900 | 20,682 | 8.1% |
| 1910 | 20,450 | −1.1% |
| 1920 | 20,138 | −1.5% |
| 1930 | 11,606 | −42.4% |
| 1940 | 10,749 | −7.4% |
| 1950 | 10,523 | −2.1% |
| 1960 | 10,495 | −0.3% |
| 1970 | 10,991 | 4.7% |
| 1980 | 14,610 | 32.9% |
| 1990 | 17,113 | 17.1% |
| 2000 | 21,757 | 27.1% |
| 2010 | 26,424 | 21.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- 1824-1903 Minutes, 1824-1903(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1826-1849 Minutes, 1826-1849(*); Inferior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1826-1910 Minutes, 1826-1910(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1831-1893 Writs, 1831-1893(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1848-1955 County Officer Bonds 1848-1955, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1861-1872 Court of Ordinary Day Book (Estates, Sales, Bonds, Receipts, etc.), 1861- 1872(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1866-1871 County Court Minutes 1866-1871, Monroe County, Georgia(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1872-1892 Court Minutes 1872-1892, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Commissioner Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1881-1883 Petitions, 1881-1883(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1881-1915 Register of Practicing Physicians 1881-1915, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1881-1927 Register of Vendors of Medicines, Drugs, Poisons, etc., 1881-1927 (Monroe County, Georgia)(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1892-1912 Jury Lists 1892-1912, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- The Georgia Researcher - v. 1, no. 2 (June 1963). 1963. By The Georgia Researcher. The Georgia Researcher. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- Freeman Funeral Home in Forsyth (Facebook)
- Monroe County Memorial Chapel in Forsyth
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
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
- Monroe, County Georgia Tax Assessor's
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Monroe 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[edit | edit source]
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
- Historic Maps of Monroe County
- Maps of Georgia (1758-1932)
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- Georgia USGenWeb Archives Project
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 Monroe 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 Monroe County:
- - 1st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Ramsey's) (Confederate), Company K
- - 14th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company A
- - 31st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company D
- - 32nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company H
- - 35th Battalion, Georgia (Confederate), Company D
- - 45th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Companies B and D
- - 53rd Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate), Company K
- Monroe County Historical Society (Ga.). 1979. Monroe County, Georgia: a history. Forsyth, Ga: Monroe County Historical Society. (page 150-169) 975.8563 H2m
- Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Monroe County). 1958. Roster of soldiers who entered the Confederate Army from Monroe County. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Film 164288
- Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Monroe County). 1958. Applications of Confederate veterans & widows for pensions. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Film 164286
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[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1800s-Current Georgia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Georgia Historic Newspapers at Digital Library of Georgia
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records
- 1867-1868 Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books, 1867-1868 at FamilySearch — index
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
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 ($)
- 1754-1776 Colonial Will Books at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
- 1823-1927 Names of Families in Monroe County Genealogy, Wills, Estates, Maps, Marriages at Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1824-1829 Monroe County, Georgia Wills : (Vol. A, 1824-1829); The Georgia Researcher - V. 1, No. 2 (June 1963). n.p. : n.p., 1963. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1824-1905 Annual Returns, 1824-1905(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1824-1958 Wills, 1824-1958(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1831-1956 Probate Records 1831-1956, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1831-1957 Bonds, 1831-1957(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1839-1901 Trustees' Bonds ca. 1839-1901, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1852-1954 Inventories and Appraisements of Estates, 1852-1954(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1854-1857 Returns, 1854-1857(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1856-1955 Letters of Administration, 1856-1920, and, Letters of Administration De Bonis Non, 1891-1955 Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1856-1956 Letters Testamentary 1856-1956, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1861-1872 Court of Ordinary Day Book Estates, Sales, Bonds, Receipts, etc., 1861- 1872(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1866-1900 Sale Bill Book Estates 1866-1900, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1875-1952 Alphabetical List of Administrators, Guardians, Executors, and Trustees of Estates, ca. 1875-1952(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1882-1952 Petitions for Twelve Months Support 1882-1952, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1895-1958 Letters of Dismission 1895-1958, Monroe County, Georgia(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1895-1958 Natural Guardian Bonds, 1895-1958(*); 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[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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and all slaves up to age 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district.
- Monroe, County Georgia Tax Assessor's
- 1787-1900 Georgia, Tax Digests, 1787-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection, index & images
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Georgia State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Georgia.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1870-1960 Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records, 1870-1960 at FamilySearch — index, and some images
- 1881-1886 Monroe County Birth Book E Index 1881-1886. Batch C713383 at FamilySearch[8]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1560-1993 Georgia, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1699-1944 Georgia Marriages 1699-1944 at Ancestry— index ($)
- 1754-1960 Georgia Church Marriages, 1754-1960 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1785-1950 Georgia County Marriages 1785-1950 at FamilySearch — index & images
- 1808-1967 Georgia Marriages 1808-1967 at FamilySearch — index
- 1824-1850 Marriages 1824-1850 Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1824-1875 Monroe County Marriage Books A, B, and B2 Index 1824-1875. Batch M713381 at FamilySearch
- 1828-1978 Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1872-1881 Monroe County Marriage Books C and D Index 1872-1881. Batch M713382 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1886 Monroe County Marriage Book E Index 1881-1886. Batch M713383 at FamilySearch
- 1885-1886 Marriages from newspapers 1885-1886 Georgia Pioneers ($)
- 1886-1893 Monroe County Marriage Book F Index 1886-1893. Batch M713384 at FamilySearch
- 1893-1895 Monroe County Marriage Book G Index 1893-1895. Batch M713385 at FamilySearch
Death[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Monroe County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Georgia Archives and Libraries.
Georgia Archives
University System of Georgia
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
678-364-3700
Website
Facebook
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
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Monroe County. For state-wide library facilities, see Georgia Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Monroe County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Georgia Societies.
Central Georgia Genealogical Society
900 Georgia Highway 96
PO Box 2024
Warner Robins, GA 31099-2024
Email: centralgagene@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Georgia Genealogical Society
PO Box 550247
Atlanta, Georgia 30355-2747
Email: publicity@gagensociety.org
Website
Facebook
Georgia Historical Society
Street address: 501 Whitaker Street
Mailing address: 104 W Gaston Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-651-2125, 877-424-4789
Email: webmaster@georgiahistory.com
Website
Facebook
Monroe County Historical Society
126 East Johnston Street
PO Box 401
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-5070
Email: oldtrain.mchs@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Georgia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- USGenWeb Monroe County, Georgia project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- Monroe County, Georgia Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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, "Monroe County, Georgia" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_County,_Georgia accessed 2 Nov 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), Monroe 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), 45. 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, "Monroe County, Georgia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_County,_Georgia, accessed 11 September 2019.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/5/53/Igigeorgiamz.pdf.