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''[[United States|United States]] > [[Tennessee|Tennessee]] > Tennessee Vital Records''
{{TN-sidebar}}
 
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<br>'''Introduction to Vital Records'''
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]&nbsp;has&nbsp;additional research guidance&nbsp;on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be&nbsp;purchased from&nbsp;the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Tennessee.htm Tennessee Vital Records State Department of Health] or the&nbsp;County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rg.asp?Dest=G1&Aid=&Gid=&Lid=&Sid=&Did=&Juris1=&Event=&Year=&Gloss=&Sub=&Tab=&Entry=&Guide=CA_BMDT3_Statewide_Indexes.ASP#Step Tennessee Statewide Indexes and Collections] at the Family History Library.
| link3=[[Tennessee, United States Genealogy|Tennessee]]
 
| link4=
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| link5=[[Tennessee Vital Records|Vital Records]]
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<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__
</div>
=== Tennessee Vital Records Dates ===
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| width="10%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" |'''[[Tennessee Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" |'''[[Tennessee Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" |'''[[Tennessee Vital Records#Death-Records|Deaths]]'''
|-
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''County/Town'''
| width="10%" align="center" | 1881
| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
| width="10%" align="center" | 1881
|-
|-
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''State'''
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records.jpg|center|250px]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>
| width="10%" align="center" | 1908*
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="318" align="center" border="1"
| width="10%" align="center" | 1945
| width="10%" align="center" | 1908*
|-
|-
| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="35" | '''Marriage Records'''&nbsp;
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | '''General Compliance'''  
| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="35" | '''Death/Will'''&nbsp;'''Records'''
| width="10%" align="center" | 1927
| width="10%" align="center" | 1838**
| width="10%" align="center" | 1927
|-
|-
| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="35" |
| colspan="4"|*1913 is missing from births and deaths<br>**1838 law required counties to ''retain'' marriage records
| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="35" |  
|}
|}


<br>
<div style="clear:left"></div>


|}
== Online Resources ==
=== Birth ===
*'''1828-1939''' {{RecordSearch|1681012|Tennessee Births and Christenings, 1828–1939}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1869-1909''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2282 Tennessee, U.S., Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909] at Ancestry — index & images
* '''1881-1915''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2491 Tennessee, City Birth Records, 1881-1915] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1908-1912''' {{RecordSearch|2515873|Tennessee Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee, Birth Records, Enumerator Record Series - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


== Tennessee Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online ==
=== Marriage ===
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=tennessee US Marriages – Tennessee, 1625-1966] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1780-2002''' {{RecordSearch|1936414|Tennessee Marriage Index, 1780-2002}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee State Marriage Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; ''Also at: [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1169 Ancestry]($)''
*'''1784-1825''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2099 Tennessee Compiled Marriages, 1784-1825] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1790-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1619127|Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950}} at FamilySearch - [[Tennessee County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1796-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1681022|Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1838-1888''' {{RecordSearch|2559093|Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee Civil Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images
*'''1851-1900''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4125 Tennessee Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900] at Ancestry — index ($)


The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Tennessee Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Check [[Tennessee Vital Records Online|Tennessee Vital Records Online]] for more information about the resources listed below. Most online resources for Tennessee Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index, always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. '''<br>'''
=== Death ===
*'''1872-1923''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5076 Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1874-1955''' {{RecordSearch|1681020|Tennessee Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; ''Also at: [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2546 Ancestry]($)''
*'''1908-1912''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/121490?availability=Family%20History%20Library Deaths (enumerator record series), 1908-1912] at FamilySearch — index & images
*'''1908-1933''' [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10076/tennessee-deaths-1908-1933?s=218489221 Tennessee Deaths, 1908-1933] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1908-1965''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2376/ Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1965] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1914-1931''' [https://tslaindexes.tn.gov/death-records-database-name/tennessee-death-records-1914-1933 Index to Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1933] at Tennessee State Library and Archives
*'''1914-1966''' {{RecordSearch|1417505|Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1966}} at FamilySearch — [[Tennessee Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/USA_States/States_Frames/Tennessee/Tennessee_Frame.htm Tennessee Links] from [http://fhlfavorites.info/ fhlfavorites.info] -&nbsp;Free
===Divorce===
*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#Tennessee Tennessee Databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.org]&nbsp;- Free
*See [[Tennessee Divorce Records|Tennessee Divorce Records]] for more resources.
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.tngenweb.us/ Tennessee Site] - Free
*Search for Tennessee Collections on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search] under [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory for [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-TN-NDX.html Tennessee] - Free/$
*Wee Monster Links for Tennessee [http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/vitalrecords.html#Tennessee Birth &amp; Marriage]&nbsp;and [http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/deathrecords.html Death] Records -&nbsp;Free/$
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/TN/ Tennessee Genealogy and History], including individual Counties&nbsp;-&nbsp;Free/$&nbsp;
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Tennessee''' or '''TN''' -&nbsp;Free/$
*Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=3&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Tennessee Birth, Marriage &amp; Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $&nbsp;
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/tennessee.htm Tennessee Certificates] online -&nbsp;<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$&nbsp;


<br>
== Get Copies ==
''Restrictions''<br>
* Birth records (including delayed births) are restricted for 100 years.
* Death and marriage records are restricted for 50 years.


=== Introduction to Vital Records ===
'''Tennessee Office of Vital Records'''<br>
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower<br>
710 James Robertson Parkway<br>
Nashville, TN 37243<br>
Phone: (615) 741-1763<br>
[https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.html Website]


'''Prior&nbsp;- 1912'''  
:* ''Certified copies'' can only be provided to the person named on the certificate or certain family members. 
::*[https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/health-program-areas/vital-records/certificate.html How Do I Order My Certificate] from Tennessee Office of Vital Records
:* ''Verification of information'' (excluding cause of death) can be provided to any requester.<ref>Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Office of Vital Records, "Genealogy Research," https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records/genealogy-research.html, accessed 2/8/2024.</ref><ref>University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service, [https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/eli/vital-records#_ftn2''Vital Records''], accessed 13 September 2024. "But the law goes on to state that an application for a marriage license and the authenticating documentation for the events of birth, death, marriage, divorce or annulment of a marriage, in the possession of a county clerk, court clerk, state registrar, or other authorized custodian are public records and that verified information from such documents may be provided upon request. However, the information contained in the “Information for Medical and Health Use Only” section of a birth certificate and the “Confidential Information” section of marriage, divorce, or annulment" certificates remains confidential.</ref>
::*Forms: [https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/vital-records/PH-3061-Application-For-Verification-of-Birth-Facts.pdf Birth]; [https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/vital-records/PH-3055-Application-For-Verification-of-Death-Facts.pdf Death]; [https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/vital-records/PH-3331-Application-for-Verification-of-Marriage-Facts.pdf Marriage]


Few births and deaths were recorded by civil authorities before 1908. You may find some information on pre-1908 births and deaths in genealogies, histories, church and Bible records, and collections of personal papers.  
'''Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA)'''<br>
1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N.<br>
Nashville, TN 37219<br>
Phone: 615-741-2764<br>
Email: ask@tsla.libanswers.com<br>
[https://sos.tn.gov/tsla Website]<br>


Most counties kept birth and death records beginning in 1908. During the month of July, the clerk of the Board of School Directors was required to collect and report the births and deaths that had occurred in his district during the previous year. Their reports were sent to the Secretary of the County Board of Health (County Clerk) and from there to the State Board of Health. Death records for 1908–1912 do not list the names of parents. This incomplete register is at the [http://state.tn.us/tsla/history/vital/death2.htm Tennessee State Library and Archives.]  
:* They have birth records (including delayed births) after 100 years and death and marriage records after 50 years.
:*[https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/services/order-records-from-tsla#birth Order Records From TSLA]
:*[https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/global/pages/ Tennessee Virtual Archive (TEVA)]<br>
::*Online ''digital'' copies of [https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/global/pages/collections/birth/birth.html birth], [https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/global/pages/collections/death/death.html death], and [https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/global/pages/collections/marriage/marriage.html marriage] records released to the public.  
:::*Click the number  <ref>Search suggestions for Tennessee Virtual Archives: Search the name indexes year by year. Find a record you want and note the certificate #. Then search NOT BY Name, but by year and '''certificate #''' to view the record. [Add zeros if less than 6 numbers].  example: 73-039280)  (Personal experience 8/31/2024)</ref>  for search suggestions.
::*They also provide open access to thousands of photographs, documents, maps, postcards, film, audio and other records relating to the history and culture of Tennessee.


*Tennessee State Board of Health. ''Births (Enumerator Record Series), 1908–1912.'' <ref>Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1980. (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=121072&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Births+%28enumerator+record+series%29%2C%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1308011–89] indexes on [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=121072&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Births+%28enumerator+record+series%29%2C++ 338134–39].) </ref>The soundex index lists the child’s name, birth date and county, certificate number, and name of mother.
'''County Courthouses'''<br>
:* Marriage Book. "The county clerk is required to record in a well-bound book.... in 1838"<ref>University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service, "Marriage Records," https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/node/395/printable/print, accessed 8/27/2024. "The county clerk is required to record in a well-bound book the names of the parties and the date of the issuance of the marriage license, and to copy immediately under or opposite thereto the return of the proper officiant who solemnized the rite of matrimony and the date thereof. T.C.A. § 18-6-109".</ref>
:* Counties use TEVA (above) to print copies of birth and death records released to the public.<ref>Information from Claiborne County clerk (423) 626-3283, 7/2/2024; and Hickman County Health Department, (931) 729-3516, 8/6/2024</ref>
::* Births and Deaths are forwarded to the State and not retained in registration districts.<ref>Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee,'' (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 35. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|110760}}; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).</ref>
:* [https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/county-clerks County Clerks Contact information] at University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service.


*Tennessee State Board of Health. ''Deaths (Enumerator Record Series), 1908–1912.'' <ref>Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1980. (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=121490&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Deaths+%28enumerator+record+series%29%2C%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1308090–122], indexes on films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=121490&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Deaths+%28enumerator+record+series%29%2C++ 338140–41].) </ref>The records are arranged by enumerator record number. An index to these early death records on the Library State Library and Archives web site lists 98,000 deaths.
== Coverage and Compliance ==
'''Birth and Death Records'''<br>
*Statewide registration began in July, 1908, with most counties missing the year 1913. General compliance by 1927.
*Some deaths were unreported, especially when the family did not use a Funeral Home.  


'''1914 – present'''  
'''Marriage Records'''<br>
*Marriage records generally had high compliance from when the county was organized. Not all counties retained the records until 1838.
*Couples may have married in a neighboring county or may have eloped.


Beginning 1 January 1914, statewide registration of vital statistics began but was not generally complied with until 1927.&nbsp; An online statewide death index for 1914-1924 is found on the [http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/history/vital/tndeath.htm Tennessee State Library and Archives] website.&nbsp; In addition, this site also has a partial index to death records 1914-1925.&nbsp; The archive website gives good suggestions on how to successfully use their index.&nbsp;
== Information in the Records ==
 
=== Birth Records ===
The Family History Library has death indexes for 1914–1948:
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
 
|-
*Tennessee. State Board of Health. ''Deaths, 1914–1948; Death Index, 1914–1948.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1981, 1993. <ref>On 418 Family History Library films beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=126512&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Death+records%2C+1914%2D1950%3B+death+in%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1299605]. </ref>The index lists the name, date of death, county, county, and page number.
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Tennessee Birth Records May Include*'''
 
|-
Tennessee birth records are closed for 75 years and death records for 50 years. To obtain copies of birth records from 1914 to the present, and death records that are 50 years old or less, write to:
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
''Tennessee Vital Records<br>''Central Services Building<br>1st Floor<br>421 5th Avenue North<br>Nashville, TN 37247-0460<br>Telephone: 615-741-1763<br>Credit Card Request: 615-741-0778<br>Fax: 615-741-9860<br>Internet: [http://health.state.tn.us/vr/index.htm Tennessee Office of Vital Records]
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
Application forms (and instructions) for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be acquired from the Tennessee Vital Records web page.
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is the primary source for obtaining death records 50 years old or older. They have birth records for 1908–1912 and death indexes for 1908–1912 and 1914–1948. Indexes to selected death records are on their Internet site listed in the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline.
 
Birth and Death Records Kept by Cities Before 1908
 
Before 1914, several major cities kept separate records of births and deaths. The most complete collection of pre-1914 city births is in the Tennessee State Library and Archives. They have records for Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville, which are also available at the Family History Library:
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; City
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| Vital Records Available
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| Beginning Film
|-
|-
| Chattanooga &nbsp;
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| Births 1911-1915
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| 1303215
|-
|-
|  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| Deaths 1872– 1923
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| 1303220
|-
|-
| Knoxville
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| Births 1881–1913
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| 1276584
|-
|-
|  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| Deaths 1881– 1913
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| 1276602
|-
|-
| Nashville
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''
| Births 1881–1913
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| 1276576
|-
|-
|  
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;information
| Deaths 1874– 1913
| 1303216
|}
|}
Most counties kept birth records beginning July, 1908.
*The year 1913 was skipped because there was no statute requiring it.
*Early in the process, the clerk taking the scholastic census collected the births and deaths in his district, then forwarded them to the county board of health, which reported to the state<ref>Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee,'' (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|110760}}; "Birth Records," pp. 7-34 (images 15-42 of 166).</ref>
*Births are generally collected by local registration districts from doctors and midwives or from a parent. Registration districts send them to the state.<br>


The Shelby County Register of Deeds has records for Memphis deaths from 1848–1945. Their Internet site has an index and image view: [http://register.shelby.tn.us/ Shelby County and the Register of Deeds] and [http://www.state.tn.us/tsla/ Tennessee State Library and Archives]
'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
In 1935, many adults applied for delayed birth certificates in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits.


{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" align="center"
''See also:''<br>
|+ '''Information&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tennessee Birth Records'''  
*[[GuidedResearch:Tennessee|Tennessee Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Tennessee Birth Records|How to Find Tennessee Birth Records]]
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
*[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|United States Delayed Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]
<gallery>
Image:Hinkle Gladles birth certificate.JPG|Hinkle Gladles birth certificate 1908
Image:Virginia Hatfield birth certificate.JPG|Virginia Hatfield birth certificate 1925
</gallery>
 
<div style="clear:both"></div>
=== Marriage Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Tennessee Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="50" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Types of Information'''
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''  
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''early - 1914'''&nbsp;
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |   x
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''1914&nbsp;- present'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Name of Child'''
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''  
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |   x
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Sex'''
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''  
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |   x
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Race'''
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''  
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Parents' Names'''  
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''  
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Bondsman'''  
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Date &amp; Place of Birth'''
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;less information<br>** May be previous married name<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;of bride
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Residence'''
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | <br>
| height="25" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|}
|}
County marriage records are the earliest and most complete vital records for Tennessee. Most county clerks began recording and retaining marriage records soon after each was organized. <br>
*These records are of three types: applications for licenses, marriage bonds, and marriage licenses.
*Several counties<ref>FamilySearch Research Wiki, [[How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records#Finding Tennessee Marriage Records|How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records, ''Finding Tennessee Marriage Records'']], accessed 13 September 2024. Counties that did not retain marriage records until 1838 are:
[[Anderson County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Anderson]], [[Benton County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Benton]], [[Campbell County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Campbell]], [[Cannon County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Cannon]], [[Carroll County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Carroll]], [[Claiborne County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Claiborne]], [[Fayette County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Fayette]], [[Franklin County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Franklin]], [[Henry County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Henry]], [[Johnson County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Johnson]], [[Lauderdale County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Lauderdale]], [[Lincoln County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Lincoln]], [[Madison County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Madison]], [[McMinn County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|McMinn]], [[Meigs County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Meigs]], [[Monroe County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Monroe]], [[Smith County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Smith]], [[Stewart County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Stewart]], [[Tipton County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Tipton]], and [[Weakley County, Tennessee#Vital_Records|Weakley]]</ref> did not retain even licenses and returns until mandated by law in 1838.<ref>Soderberg, Gertrude L. and Pollyanna Creekmore. ''Tennessee Marriage Records, Volume 3, Greene County, Volume 1, 1783-1818: Being Transcriptions from the Original Bonds and Licenses at the County Courthouse, Greeneville'' (Knoxville, Tenn.: Clinchdale Press, 1965), "Introduction." {{FSC|237705|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.891 V2s}}; "It was not until 1838 that the clerks were required to keep a well bound book, in which they shall register the names of the parties, and the date of issuance of each marriage license." </ref>
:*Some of the records found in the 1930's by the the W.P.A. had gone missing when trying to compile indexes several decades later.<ref>Per Edythe Rucker Whitley after publishing several marriage record indexes for Tennessee in the early 1980's.</Ref>
*Beginning in 1945, Tennessee required registration of marriages with the state. Since 1 January 1949, duplicates have been sent to the [http://health.state.tn.us/vr/ Office of Vital Statistics].
*Couples may have married in neighboring counties or eloped.
:*'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When a Tennessee couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like [[Roane County, Tennessee|Fort Southwest Point TN]] for frontier couples, or [[Floyd County, Georgia|Rome GA]], or [[Surry County, North Carolina|Mount Airy NC]], or [[Pike County, Kentucky]].<ref>Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" ''Genealogy Blog,'' https://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ accessed 13 September 2024.</ref>


<br>
''See also:''
 
*[[GuidedResearch:Tennessee|Tennessee Guided Research]]
=== Adoption Records ===
*[[How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records|How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records]]
 
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
open / closed / state statues
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
 
*[[Tennessee_Divorce_Records|Tennessee Divorce Records]]
<br>


== Death Records  ==
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 
=== Death Records ===
<br>
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
 
<br>
 
{| style="width: 507px; height: 389px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="507" align="center"
|+ '''Information in&nbsp;Tennessee&nbsp;Death Records'''
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="40" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Types of Information<br>'''
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''before&nbsp;- 1905<br>'''
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''1905 - present<br>'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Name of Deceased<br>'''
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Tennessee Death Records May Include:*'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | <br>'''x'''
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Date of Death'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Place of Death'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Date of Birth/Age'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Place of Birth'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Place of Burial'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Parents' Names/Maiden'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Occupation of Deceased'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" |  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
'''Marital''' '''Status'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
 
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>'''
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''<br>x'''
|}
 
<br>
 
== Marriage Records  ==
 
County marriage records are the earliest and most complete vital records for Tennessee. The records that have survived usually begin within a few years of each county’s organization. Marriage records from the earliest dates to the present are kept by the county clerk for each county. Since 1 January 1949, duplicates have been sent to the Office of Vital Statistics. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most of the existing county marriage records from the beginning dates to the early 1900's.&nbsp; Many early Tennessee marriages are extracted and found in the ''International Genealogical Index.''&nbsp; This index is accessed at [http://www.familysearch.org FamilySearch].&nbsp; Beginning in 1945, Tennessee required statewide registration of marriages. These records have been indexed and are at the Office of Vital Statistics. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records.
 
Reels of microfilm containing marriage records can be borrowed on inter-library loan from the [http://state.tn.us/tsla/history/county/ill-list.htm Tennessee State Library and Archives].
 
You can find early Tennessee published marriage records through:
 
*''Early East Tennessee Marriages.'' <ref>Sistler, Byron. ''Early East Tennessee Marriages.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Byron Sistler and Assoc., 1987. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=568443&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Early+East+Tennessee+marriages++ 976.8 V2s; film 1597922 items 3–4].) </ref>This source indexes pre-1861 marriages from 20 counties, listing the bride and groom and the date and county of the marriage. There is a separate index for brides and grooms.
 
*''Early Middle Tennessee Marriages.'' <ref>Sistler, Byron. ''Early Middle Tennessee Marriages.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Byron Sistler and Associates, 1988. (Family History Library &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=434884&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Early+middle+Tennessee+marriages++ 976.8 V2sby; film 1597922, items 5–6.)] </ref>This source indexes pre-1861 marriages from 27 counties, listing the bride and groom and the date and county of the marriage. There is a separate index for brides and grooms.
 
*''Early West Tennessee Marriages.'' <ref>Sistler, Byron. ''Early West Tennessee Marriages.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Byron Sistler &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Associates, 1989. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=450678&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Early+West+Tennessee+marriages++ 976.8 V2sb; fiche 6100916 to 17 [set of 10].)] </ref>This source indexes pre-1861 marriages from 15 counties, listing the bride and groom and the date and county of the marriage. There is a separate index for brides and grooms.
 
*''Marriage Records.'' <ref>Orem, Utah: Automated Archives, 1994. (Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 2.) Does not circulate to Family History Centers. </ref>Contains marriage records for several Tennessee counties from the late 1700's to 1926, as well as marriage records from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Dates vary with the county.
 
''Marriage Records: Early–1850.'' <ref>Orem, Utah: Automated Archives, 1992. (Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 229.) Does not circulate to Family History Centers. </ref>Contains marriage records for Tennessee, as well as marriage records from Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia.
 
<br>
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" align="center"
|+ '''Information in&nbsp;Tennessee Marriage Records'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="50" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Types of Information'''
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''early&nbsp;- 1945'''&nbsp;
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| bgcolor="#99ccff" valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''1945 - present'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Name of Bride/Groom'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Date of Marriage'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Location of Marriage'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Presiding Official'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Date of Birth'''  
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | <br>
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x  
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''x'''
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Place of Birth'''
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;information
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | <br>
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''&nbsp;x'''
|-
| bgcolor="#99ccff" height="25" valign="middle" width="52%" align="center" | '''Residence at Time of Marriage'''
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | <br>
| valign="middle" width="16%" align="center" | '''&nbsp;x'''
|}
|}
Most counties kept death records beginning July, 1908, skipping 1913, and continued 1914-present.<ref>Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee,'' (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|110760}}; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).</ref>
*Death records 1908-1912 do not give parents' names. The scholastic census taker collected the information.
*Death certificates are filled out by funeral directors. If the deceased was buried in a family cemetery and no funeral home was involved, there will not be a death certificate on file.<ref>Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Office of Vital Records, "Death Records," https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/guides/vital-records-at-the-library-and-archives#death, accessed 2/8/2024.</ref><ref>"Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health," p. 19, https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1200/1200-07/1200-07-01.20220622.pdf, accessed 13 September 2024. "1200-07-01-.14 Each funeral director shall keep a record...." Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-3-103 and 68-3-104. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed January 18, 1978; effective February 17, 1978. Amendments filed March 24, 2022; effective June 22, 2022.</ref>
*A woman will be probably be found under her married surname at the time of death.


<br>
'''Cause of Death'''<br>
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.


=== Divorce Records ===
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Tennessee|Tennessee Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Tennessee Death Records|How to Find Tennessee Death Records]]
*[[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death Records]]
* [[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]
<gallery>
Image:Hatfield death cert.jpg|Hatfield Death Certificate 1910
Image:Hatfield Joseph Jr death certificate.JPG|Hatfield, Joseph Jr Death Certificate 1956
</gallery>
<div style="clear:both"></div>
== Additional Information ==
See also:
*[[Tennessee Guided Research|Tennessee Guided Research]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*[https://tnsla.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/tnslapublic/?rm=RESOURCE%20GUIDE0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7Ctrue Research Resources] at Tennessee State Library and Archives
*[http://tngenweb.org/ Tennessee GenWeb Project] of USGenWeb.org
*''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee''. Historical Records Survey (Tennessee). (Nashville:The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941) Birth Records, pp 7-34; Marriage Records, pp 59-83; Death Records, pp 35-58; {{FSC|230329|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.8 A3gp; film 833362}}; {{WorldCat|14746022|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|110760}}


Divorces are found in legislative papers prior to 1834.&nbsp; The state constitution of 1834 then gave authorized courts the power to grant divorces.&nbsp; They are normally found in individual county circuit courts.&nbsp; Divorce records for the past fifty years are available at the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.&nbsp; Some 750 statewide early divorce records extracted from legislative papers can be found in Gale W. Bamman and Debbie W. Spero, ''Tennessee Divorces, 1797-1858 ''(Nashville: G. Bamman, 1985).&nbsp; The Family History Library has a copy of this book (976.8 P2b).
== Strategy==
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*Certificate or record is not found:
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
#The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[Tennessee Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[Tennessee Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>


=== Guide to Vital Records  ===


The Tennessee Library and Archives Internet site listed in the “[[Tennessee Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” page identifies many of the state’s vital records. See the “Vital Records” section of the United States Research Outline for more detailed information on the value and content of vital records. For divorce records, see the “Divorce Records” page.
''See also:''<br>
* [[Tennessee Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


== Lost and&nbsp;Missing Records&nbsp;  ==


Bedford County by fire and tornado; Bledsoe County in 1908; Bradley County in 1864; Dickson County in 1835; Giles Coun ty W.; Henderson County in 1865 and&nbsp;1895; Hickman County in 1865; Humphreys County in 1876 and&nbsp;1898; Marion County in 1822; Putnam County in 1899, Stewart County W.
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
 
The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.<br>
== Substitute Records  ==
{| style="width:80%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-
[[Tennessee Church Records|Tennessee Church Records]]  
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Bedford County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Bedford]]
[[Tennessee Cemeteries|Tennessee Cemetery Records]]  
*[[Bledsoe County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Bledsoe]]
 
*[[Blount County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Blount]]
[[Tennessee Census|Tennessee Census]]  
*[[Cannon County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Cannon]]
 
*[[Carroll County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Carroll]]
[[Tennessee Newspapers|Tennessee Newspapers]]  
*[[Carter County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Carter]]
 
*[[Chester County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Chester]]
[[Tennessee Periodicals|Tennessee Periodicals]]  
*[[Claiborne County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Claiborne]]
 
*[[Cocke County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Cocke]]
[[Tennessee Military Records|Tennessee Military Records]]  
*[[Coffee County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Coffee]]
 
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
== Tips  ==
*[[Cumberland County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Cumberland]]
 
*[[Davidson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Davidson]]
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant&nbsp;was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information&nbsp;found on the record.
*[[Decatur County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Davidson]]
*If you are unable to locate&nbsp;vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
*[[Dickson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Dickson]]
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.&nbsp; Copies of&nbsp;some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
*[[Dyer County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Dyer]]
*Search for Vital Records in the Family History Library Catalog by using a '''Place Search''' and then choosing '''Vital Records'''.&nbsp; Search for '''Tennessee''' to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county''' to locate records kept by the county.
*[[Fayette County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Fayette]]
 
*[[Fentress County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Fentress]]
== Archives, Libraries and Societies  ==
*[[Gibson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Gibson]]
 
*[[Giles County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Giles]]
[[Tennessee Archives and Libraries|Tennessee Archives and Libraries]]  
*[[Grainger County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Grainger]]
 
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
[[Tennessee Societies|Tennessee Societies]]  
*[[Grundy County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Grundy]]
 
*[[Hamilton County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hamilton]]
== <br>Family History Library Vital Records Collections  ==
*[[Hancock County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hancock]]
*[[Hardeman County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hardeman]]
*[[Hardin County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hardin]]
*[[Hawkins County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hawkins]]
*[[Henderson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Henderson]]
*[[Hickman County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Hickman]]
*[[Humphreys County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Humphreys]]
*[[James County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|James]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Jackson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Jackson]]
*[[Lauderdale County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Lauderdale]]
*[[McMinn County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|McMinn]]
*[[McNairy County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|McNairy]]
*[[Macon County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Macon]]
*[[Marion County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Marion]]
*[[Marshall County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Marshall]]
*[[Meigs County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Meigs]]
*[[Monroe County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Monroe]]
*[[Montgomery County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Montgomery]]
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*[[Morgan County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Morgan]]
*[[Obion County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Obion]]
*[[Overton County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Overton]]
*[[Perry County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Perry]]
*[[Pickett County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Pickett]]
*[[Polk County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Polk]]
*[[Putnam County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Putnam]]
*[[Rhea County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Rhea]]
*[[Rutherford County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Rutherford]]
*[[Scott County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Scott]]
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*[[Sevier County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Sevier]]
*[[Stewart County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Stewart]]
*[[Sullivan County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Sullivan]]
*[[Trousdale County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Trousdale]]
*[[Union County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Union]]
*[[Warren County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Warren]]
*[[Washington County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Washington]]
*[[Wayne County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Wayne]]
*[[Weakley County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Weakley]]
*[[Wilson County, Tennessee Genealogy#Record Loss|Wilson]]
|}
''See also:''<br>
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.


To find vital records, consult the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:


::TENNESSEE - VITAL RECORDS
===Substitute Records===
::TENNESSEE, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:
::TENNESSEE, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
*[[Tennessee_Substitute_Records|Tennessee Substitute Records]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death Information]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}


<references />


[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
[[Category:Tennessee_Vital_Records]]
[[Category:Tennessee, United States]]
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