Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[Decatur_County,_Georgia|Decatur County]]''
{{Locality
|Name=Decatur County
|ID=393793
|Level=2
|Country=United States
|CountryID=1
|Locality1=Georgia
|Locality1id=365
|Locality2=Decatur County
|Locality2id=393793
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Georgia, United States Genealogy|Georgia]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy|Decatur County]]
}}


Guide to '''Decatur County Georgia genealogy.''' Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.  
Guide to '''Decatur County, Georgia ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.


{{GADC}}  
{| style="width:18%; float:right"
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<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Georgia Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
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<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
|organized= December 8, 1823
|county seat= Bainbridge
|parent county= [[Early County, Georgia Genealogy|Early]]<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Baker County, Georgia Genealogy|Baker]]
|county2= [[Gadsden County, Florida Genealogy|Gadsden (FL)]]
|county3= [[Grady County, Georgia Genealogy|Grady]]
|county4= [[Jackson County, Florida Genealogy|Jackson (FL)]]
|county5= [[Miller County, Georgia Genealogy|Miller]]
|county6= [[Mitchell County, Georgia Genealogy|Mitchell]]
|county7= [[Seminole County, Georgia Genealogy|Seminole]]</br><center>[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county8=
|county9=
|county10=
|county courthouse= [[Image:Decatur County Court House Bainbridge, Georgia.jpg|245x245px]]
|county location in state= [[Image:Georgia Decatur County Map.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
|}</center>
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
[[Image:Stephen Decatur.JPG|thumb|right|200px|<center>Stephen Decatur</center>]]
== County Information ==


{{Infobox U.S. County
=== Description ===
| county = Decatur County
Decatur County was named for the United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Georgia" in ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Georgia'' accessed 31 Oct 2018</ref>
| county_map = Georgia Decatur County Map.png
| state = Georgia
| latd =
| longd =
| founded year = 1823
| founded date = December 8
| seat = Bainbridge
| building image =  
| building address = Decatur County Courthouse<br>1400 E Shotwell Street<br>PO Box 735<br>Bainbridge, GA 31717-0735<br>Phone: 229.248.3030<br>[http://www.courtreference.com/DeKalb-County-Georgia-Courts.htm '''Decatur County Website'''] }}


== County Courthouse ==
=== County Courthouse ===
{{GA Courthouse Intro|Decatur}}
'''Decatur County Courthouse'''<br>1400 E Shotwell Street<br>PO Box 735<br>Bainbridge, GA 31717-0735<br>Phone: 229-248-3030<br>[http://www.decaturcountyga.gov/ Decatur County Website]<br><br>
Probate Court has marriage records from 1823 and probate records.<br>
Clerk Superior Court has divorce, court and land records from 1823.<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>


[http://www.decaturcountyga.org/ Decatur County Courthouse]<br>1400 E Shotwell Street<br>PO Box 735<br>Bainbridge, GA 31717-0735<br>Phone: 229.248.3030<br><br>Probate Court has marriage records from 1823 and probate records;&nbsp; Clerk Superior Court has divorce, court and land records from 1823.<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Georgia. Page 154 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>  
=== Decatur County, Georgia Record Dates  ===
 
{{GA Record Dates Intro|Decatur}}
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Georgia. Page 151-163 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=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.</ref></center>
|-
|-
| width="100%" bgcolor="#ffcc99" align="center" colspan="6" | <center>'''Beginning Dates for {{PAGENAME}} Government Records'''</center>
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Birth]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1919
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1823
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Death]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" | 1919
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Census|Census]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" | 1823
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1823
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Probate_Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1823
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1820
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
| colspan="7"| <center>*Statewide registration of births and death began in 1919. General compliance for births by 1928 and deaths by 1922. </center>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1823<br>  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1823<br>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
|}
|}


== History  ==
=== Record Loss ===
{|
|-
|
'''1878'''  The courthouse at Bainbridge burned on 6 May. Probate records suffered heavy losses, but some deed books were salvaged.<ref name="PKG">Paul K. Graham, ''Georgia Courthouse Disasters'' (Decatur, Georgia: Genealogy Co., 2013), 26. {{WorldCat|852690295|item|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}.</ref>


[[Image:Stephen Decatur.JPG|thumb|right|200px]]
{{Fire+}}


The county is named after U.S. naval officer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Decatur Stephen Decatur] (1779-1820).<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tennessee_county_name_etymologies "List of counties in Tennessee"], Wikipedia.</ref>
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{GA Boundary Changes Intro|Decatur}}
{|
|-
|
*'''1823'''  Decatur County was created 8 December 1823 from [[Early County, Georgia Genealogy|Early]] County.
*'''County seat:''' Bainbridge<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Georgia.{{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/GA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Georgia Individual County Chronologies] - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county
*[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/map/map.html#GA Georgia Historical Borders - Map] at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; ''Also at:'' [http://www.mapofus.org/georgia/ mapofus.org] - animated maps illustrating Georgia county boundary changes
|}


==== Parent County  ====
=== Populated Places ===
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://georgia.hometownlocator.com/counties/cities,cfips,087,c,decatur.cfm HomeTown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Georgia," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County%2C_Georgia, accessed 11 Febuary 2019.</ref>


'''1823'''--Decatur County was created 8 December 1823&nbsp;from[[Early County, Georgia|Early]] County.<br>'''County seat:'''&nbsp; Bainbridge <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>  
{{populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| cities-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attapulgus,_Georgia Attapulgus]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bainbridge,_Georgia Bainbridge] (county seat)
</div>
| cities-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climax,_Georgia Climax]
</div>
| cities-col3=<div></div>
<!--towns column------------------->
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinson,_Georgia Brinson]
| towns-col1=<div>
</div>
| towns-col2=<div></div>
| towns-col3=<div></div>
<!--villages column------------------->
<!--hamlets column------------------->
<!--unincorp column------------------->
| unincorp-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam,_Georgia Amsterdam]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ausmac,_Georgia Ausmac]
* Bethany
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrene,_Georgia Cyrene]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldorendo,_Georgia Eldorendo]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faceville,_Georgia Faceville]
</div>
| unincorp-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fowlstown,_Georgia Fowlstown]
* Hannatown
* Hanover
* Jinks
* Laingkat
</div>
| unincorp-col3=<div>
* Otisco
* Parker Courthouse
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery,_Georgia Recovery]
* Smiths Landing
* Vada
</div>
<!--native american column------------------->
| native-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fowltown Fowltown]
</div>
| native-col2=<div></div>
| native-col3=<div></div>
<!--census column------------------->
<!--townships column------------------->
<!--historic communities column------------------->
<!--historic African American communities column------------------->
<!--unorganized territories column------------------->
<!--ghost towns column------------------->
| ghost-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fowltown Fowltown]
* Miriam
</div>
| ghost-col2=<div></div>
| ghost-col3=<div></div>
}}
=== History Timeline ===
{{GA Historical Timeline Intro|Decatur}}


==== Boundary Changes  ====
== Resources ==
{{GA Resources Intro|Decatur}}


==== Variant Spellings  ====
=== Bible Records ===
{{GA Bible Intro|Decatur}}


==== Record Loss ====
* {{FSC|59299|item|disp=Bible Records of Decatur County, vol.1}}(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
* [http://usgwarchives.net/ga/decatur/bible.html Decatur County Bible Records] at Georgia USGenWeb Archives Project


== Places/Localities ==
=== Biographies ===
{{GA Biographies Intro|Decatur}}


==== Populated Places  ====
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{GA Business Records Intro|Decatur}}
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20342/georgia-state-employees?s=275764761 Georgia, State Employees] at MyHeritage — index ($)


==== Neighboring Counties ====
=== Cemeteries ===
 
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;"
*[[Baker County, Georgia|Baker]]  
|-
*[[Gadsden County, Florida|Gadsden County, Florida]]  
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Decatur, Georgia''' online and in print</center>
*[[Grady County, Georgia|Grady]]
|-
*[[Jackson County, Florida|Jackson County, Florida]]
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
*[[Miller County, Georgia|Miller]]  
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
*[[Mitchell County, Georgia|Mitchell]]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Decatur+County%2C+Georgia%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_425&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=r&plot= Find a Grave]
*[[Seminole County, Georgia|Seminole]]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Georgia&cemetery_county=Decatur&year_range=5&size=15 BillionGraves]
*[http://usgwarchives.net/ga/decatur/cemetery.html USGW Tombstone Transcription Project]  
*[http://www.interment.net/us/ga/decatur.htm Interment.net]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' ([[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |Often more complete]])</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* {{FSC|United States, Georgia, Decatur - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=139834192|disp=FamilySearch Catalog}}
* [https://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=Decatur%2C+Georgia+cemeteries+ WorldCat.org]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |  
*[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Decatur+County%2C+Georgia%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_425 Find a Grave]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/cemetery BillionGraves]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?includeIsParent=true&primaryText=Decatur,%20Georgia,%20United%20States&reqParents=393793&reqParentsLabel=County&reqParentsType=209&searchTypeaheadInputText=Search%20Within:Decatur,%20Georgia,%20United%20States&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>See '''[[Georgia Cemeteries]]''' for more information</center>
|}


== Genealogy Resources  ==
=== Census Records ===
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Georgia#Demographics"Wikipedia.org". ]
|1830 |3854
|1840 |5872
|1850 |8262
|1860 |11922
|1870 |15183
|1880 |19072
|1890 |19949
|1900 |29454
|1910 |29045
|1920 |31785
|1930 |23622
|1940 |22234
|1950 |23620
|1960 |25203
|1970 |22310
|1980 |25495
|1990 |25511
|2000 |28240
|2010 |27842
}}
{{GA Census Intro|Decatur}}


==== Research Guides  ====
=== Church Records ===
{{GA Church Intro|Decatur}}<br>
'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=393793&reqParentsLabel=Decatur%2C%20Georgia%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places]'''


==== African Americans  ====
=== Court Records ===
{{GA Court Intro|Decatur}}


==== Bible Records  ====
* '''1824-1864''' {{FSC|216669|item|disp=Court Minutes, 1824-1864}}(*); Inferior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1825-1901''' {{FSC|218461|item|disp=Superior Court Minutes, 1825-1901}}(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1826-1884''' {{FSC|234726|item|disp=Judgements, 1826-1884}}(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1845-1888''' {{FSC|217876|item|disp=Retail Licenses, 1845-1888 [Decatur County, Georgia]}}(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — images
* '''1846-1871''' {{FSC|222774|item|disp=Bonds and Bail 1846-1871 [Decatur County, Georgia]}}(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
* '''1872-1908''' {{FSC|217537|item|disp=Commissioner Official Bonds 1872-1908 [Decatur County, Georgia]}}(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1874-1894''' {{FSC|234734|item|disp=Minutes, 1874-1894}}(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1883-1902''' {{FSC|234745|item|disp=Petitions, 1883-1902}}(*); Superior Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images


==== Cemeteries  ====
=== Directories ===
{{GA Directories Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1970-2024''' {{RecordSearch|5000290|United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Residence Database - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, coverage may vary


==== Census ====
=== Emigration and Immigration ===
{{GA Emigration Intro|Decatur}}


==== Church Records  ====
=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
{{GA Ethnic Groups Intro|Decatur}}


==== Court ====
=== Funeral Homes ===
{{GA Funeral Homes Intro|Decatur}}
* [https://www.brutonmortuary.com/ Bruton Mortuary] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.bryantfuneralga.com/ Bryant Funeral Homes] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.funeralocity.com/funeral-homes/ga/attapulgus/chandlers-funeral-home-inc-43230 Chandler's Funeral Home, Inc.] in Attapulgus
* [https://www.collinsmortuary.com/ Collins Family Mortuary] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.coxfuneral.net/ Cox Funeral Home] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.guytonbrothersfuneralhome.com/ Guyton Brothers Funeral Home] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.iveyfuneral.com/ Ivey Funeral Home] in Bainbridge
* [https://www.jacobsmortuary.com/ Jacobs Mortuary] in Bainbridge


==== Genealogy ====
=== Genealogies ===
{{GA Genealogies Intro|Decatur}}


==== Land and Property  ====
=== Guardianship ===
{{GA Guardianship Intro|Decatur}}


==== Local Histories  ====
=== Land and Property Records ===
{{GA Land Intro|Decatur}}


==== Maps  ====
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1735-1866''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/platindex Georgian Colonial and Headright Plat Index, 1735-1866] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - alpha index<br>
*'''1783-1909''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/looseplats Headright and Bounty Plats, 1783-1909] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - images with alpha index<br>
*'''1805-1833''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/dmf District Plats of Survey] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - images organized by county and district<br>
*[https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/p17154coll1 Colonial Plats and Warrants] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - images with alpha index<br>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


==== Military  ====


==== Naturalization  ====
=== Local Histories ===
{{GA Histories Intro|Decatur}}


==== Newspapers  ====
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{GA Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{GA Decatur County}}}}
{{GA Maps Intro|Decatur}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=393793&reqParentsLabel=Decatur%2C%20Georgia%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]
*'''1740s-?''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/hmf Historic Map File] at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images
*'''1866 - 1935''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cmf County Map File] at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images
*[http://www.mapofus.org/georgia/ Maps of Georgia (1758-1932)]


==== Occupations  ====
=== Migration ===
{{GA Migration Intro|Decatur}}


==== Probate Records ====
=== Military Records ===
{{GA Military Intro|Decatur}}


==== Taxation  ====
*Georgia [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/decatur/military.html USGenWeb] Archives Project


==== Vital Records  ====
'''''Civil War '''''<br>


===== Birth =====
'''Online Records'''
*'''1861-1865'''  {{RecordSearch|1932370|Georgia Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1861-1865'''  {{RecordSearch|1932397|Georgia Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1861-1865'''  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2322 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865] at [http://ancestry.com Ancestry] — index (free)
*'''1861-1865'''  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2344 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865] at [http://ancestry.com Ancestry] — index (free)
*'''1861-1865''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/confed Confederate Enlistment Oaths and Discharges] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault]- images and alphabetical index
*'''1861-1865''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cmr Confederate Muster Rolls] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault]- images; filter by commanding officer, service branch and regiment
*'''1861-1865''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/pension Confederate Pension Application Supplements] - images and alphabetical index; filter by county
*'''1864''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/1864 Militia Enrollment Lists, 1864] - images; filter by county
*'''1867-1868'''  {{RecordSearch|2739725|Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books, 1867-1868}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1879-1920''' {{RecordSearch|3038333|Georgia, Confederate Pension Rolls, 1879-1920}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia, Confederate Pension Rolls - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1879-1960''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/TestApps Confederate Pension Applications] - images and alphabetical index; filter by county


===== Marriage  =====
{{GA Civil War Regiments|Decatur}}<br>
{{Block indent|- [[1st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Ramsey's) (Confederate)|1st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Ramsey's) (Confederate)]] , Company G}}
{{Block indent|- [[5th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)|5th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)]] , Company H}}
{{Block indent|-[[17th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)|17th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)]] , Company D}}
{{Block indent|- [[31st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)|31st Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)]] , Company I}}
{{Block indent|- [[50th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)|50th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)]] , Company F}}
{{Block indent|- [[59th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)|59th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Confederate)]] , Company A}}
<br>
*Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Decatur County). 1961. Muster roll of the First Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, 1861. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. {{FSC|284678|item|disp=Film 249613}}
*Hageness, MariLee Beatty. 1995. Confederate soldiers and their units, Decatur County, Georgia. [Anniston, Alabama]: MariLee Beatty Hageness. {{FSC|718303|item|disp= 975.8993 M2h also Film 2055469 item 10}}<br>[http://books.google.com/books/about/Confederate_Soldiers_and_Their_Units_Dec.html?id=8f4ZHAAACAAJ Google Book $]


===== Death  =====
'''''Spanish-American War'''''<br>
*'''1898''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/swc Spanish-American War Service Summary Cards] - images and alphabetical index; filter by residence, muster location and unit


===== Vital Record Substitutes  =====
'''''World War I'''''<br>
*'''1914-1918''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/p17154coll7 World War I Casualties Scrapbooks] - images and alphabetical index
*'''1920-1929''' {{RecordSearch|3010041|Georgia, World War I, Statement of Service Cards, 1920-1929}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia, World War I, Statement of Service Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
'''''World War II'''''<br>
*'''1940-1942''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/georgia-world-war-ii-draft-registration-cards-1940-1942 Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards 1940-1942] at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records findmypast] - index ($))


== Genealogy Societies and Libraries  ==
=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
{{GA Naturalization Intro|Decatur}}


==== Family History Centers  ====
=== Newspapers ===
{{GA Newspapers Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50034/ Georgia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1800s-1999''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62116/ U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999] at Ancestry - index ($)
*[https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053008/1920-02-05/ed-1/ Georgia Historic Newspapers] at Digital Library of Georgia


*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]
=== Obituaries ===
{{GA Obituaries Intro|Decatur}}


== Websites ==
=== Other Records ===
{{GA Other Records Intro|Decatur}}


== Decatur County Georgia Courthouse  ==
'''''Voting Records '''''<br>
*'''1867-1868'''  {{RecordSearch|2739725|Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books, 1867-1868}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1856-1909''' {{RecordSearch|3326831|Georgia, County Voter Registrations, 1856-1909}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia, County Voter Registrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


Probate Court has marriage records from 1823<br> and probate records;&nbsp; Clerk Superior Court has<br>divorce, court and land records from 1823<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Georgia. Page 154 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
=== Periodicals ===
{{GA Periodicals Intro|Decatur}}


== Decatur County Georgia History<br>  ==
=== Probate Records ===
{{GA Probate Intro|Decatur}}


[[Image:Stephen Decatur.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Stephen Decatur.JPG]]  
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1733-1753''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cw Colonial Wills] at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
*'''1742-1990''' {{RecordSearch|1999178|Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990}}(*) at FamilySearch — [[Georgia Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1742-1992''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8635 Georgia Wills and Probate Records 1742-1992] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1754-1776''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cwb Colonial Will Books] at Georgia Archives Virtual Vault - images with alpha index
*'''1817-1913''' {{FSC|216703|item|disp=Wills, 1817-1913 Decatur County, Georgia}}(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*'''1824-1900''' {{FSC|235900|item|disp=Probate Records, 1824-1900; Homesteads, 1885-1893}}(*); Inferior Court and Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*'''1828-1913''' [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Decatur County Wills, Estates, Marriages] at Georgia Pioneers ($)
*'''1828-1925''' {{FSC|236009|item|disp=Appraisements and Sales of Estates, 1828-1925}}(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*'''1829-1931''' {{FSC|235950|item|disp=Estate Records, 1829-1931}}(*); Court of Ordinary at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*''Decatur County, Georgia, Early Marriage Records and Abstracts of Early Wills.'' By Decatur County, Georgia. Albany, Georgia : Georgia Pioneers, n.d.  '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idurl/1/161048 FamilySearch Digital Library]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


The county is named after U.S. naval officer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Decatur Stephen Decatur] (1779-1820).<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tennessee_county_name_etymologies "List of counties in Tennessee"], Wikipedia.</ref>


==== Parent County  ====
=== School Records ===
{{GA Schools Intro|Decatur}}
===Social Security Records===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]] — [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry ($)] — index, [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Applications and Claims Index|click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


'''1823'''--Decatur County was created 8 December 1823&nbsp;from[[Early County, Georgia|Early]] County.<br>'''County seat:'''&nbsp; Bainbridge <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
=== Tax Records ===
{{GA Tax Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1787-1900''' {{RecordSearch|4130006|Georgia, Tax Digests, 1787-1900}} at FamilySearch — [[Georgia, Tax Digests - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]], index & images


==== Boundary Changes  ====
=== Vital Records ===
{{GA Vital Intro|Decatur}}


==== Record Loss  ====
==== Birth ====
{{GA Birth Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1870-1960'''  {{RecordSearch|3438747|Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records, 1870-1960}} at FamilySearch — index, and some images — [[Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


== Decatur County Georgia Places/Localities  ==
==== Marriage ====
{{GA Marriage Intro|Decatur}}


==== Populated Places ====
*'''1560-1993'''  [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=georgia%2cga Georgia, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1699-1944'''  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7839 Georgia Marriages 1699-1944] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1754-1960'''  {{RecordSearch|2549568|Georgia Church Marriages, 1754-1960}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia Church Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1785-1950'''  {{RecordSearch|1927197|Georgia County Marriages 1785-1950}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1808-1967'''  [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674807 Georgia Marriages 1808-1967] at FamilySearch — index
*'''1824-1841'''  Index to Decatur County Marriage Licenses 1824-1841(Grooms) [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] ($)
*'''1824-1841'''  Decatur County Marriage Book AA Index 1824-1841. Batch {{IGI|M712651}} at FamilySearch.<ref>Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at [[Media:Igigeorgiaad.pdf|https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/09/Igigeorgiaad.pdf]].</ref>
*'''1828-1978''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4766/ Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*'''1837-1869'''  Index to Decatur County Marriage Licenses 1837-1869 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] ($)
*'''1837-1869'''  Decatur County Marriage Book A Index 1837-1869. Batch {{IGI|M712652}} at FamilySearch
*'''1868-1895'''  Decatur County Marriage Book B Index 1868-1895. Batch {{IGI|M712653}} at FamilySearch
*'''1868-1896'''  Index to Decatur County Marriage Licenses 1868-1896 [https://georgiapioneers.com/counties/ Georgia Pioneers] ($)
*'''1885-1886''' (from newspapers) [https://georgiapioneers.com/counties/ Georgia Pioneers] ($)
*'''1895''' Decatur County Marriage Book D Index 1895. Batch {{IGI|M712654}} at FamilySearch


==== Neighboring Counties  ====
==== Death ====
{{GA Death Intro|Decatur}}
*'''1870-1960'''  {{RecordSearch|3438747|Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records, 1870-1960}} at FamilySearch — index, and some images — [[Georgia, County Delayed Birth and Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1914-1927'''  {{RecordSearch|1320969|Georgia Deaths 1914-1927}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1914-1927''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/gadeaths/search Georgia Death Certificates] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - index & images
*'''1919-1998'''  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5426 Georgia Deaths 1919-1998] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1928-1930''' [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/nondeath Georgia Non-Indexed Death Certificates] at [https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/ Georgia Archives Virtual Vault] - images
*'''1928-1942'''  {{RecordSearch|1385727|Georgia Deaths, 1928-1942}} at FamilySearch — index & images — [[Georgia Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1933-1998'''  {{RecordSearch|1937238|Georgia Death Index 1933-1998}} at FamilySearch — index — [[Georgia Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


*[[Baker County, Georgia|Baker]]
==== Divorce ====
*[[Gadsden County, Florida|Gadsden County, Florida]]
{{GA Divorce Intro|Decatur}}
*[[Grady County, Georgia|Grady]]
===Voting Records===
*[[Jackson County, Florida|Jackson County, Florida]]
*'''1856-1941''' {{RecordSearch|3326831|Georgia, County Voter Registrations, 1856-1941}} at FamilySearch — [[Georgia, County Voter Registrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]], index & images
*[[Miller County, Georgia|Miller]]
*[[Mitchell County, Georgia|Mitchell]]  
*[[Seminole County, Georgia|Seminole]]


== Decatur County Georgia Genealogy Resources  ==
== Research Facilities ==
{{GA Research Facilities Intro|Decatur}}


==== Cemeteries  ====
=== Archives ===
{{GA Archives Intro|Decatur}}


==== Church  ====
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


{{GA Church Intro}}
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ga/bainbridge/1510-west-longleaf-drive Bainbridge Georgia FamilySearch Center]


==== Court  ====
=== Libraries ===
{{GA Libraries Intro|Decatur}}


==== Land  ====
=== Museums ===
{{GA Museums Intro|Decatur}}


{{GA Land}}  
== Societies ==
{{GA Societies Intro|Decatur}}


==== Local Histories  ====
'''Decatur County Genealogical Society '''<br>127 E Water St<br>PO Box 1388<br>Bainbridge, GA 39818<br>229-246-2124<br>[https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gadcgs/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/DecaturCountyHistoricalAndGenealogicalSociety Facebook]<br><br>
'''Historic Chattahoochee Commission'''<br>136 Main Street<br>PO Box 942<br>LaGrange, GA 30241<br>706-845-8440<br>Email: [mailto:hcc3@earthlink.net hcc3@earthlink.net]<br>[https://www.hcc-al-ga.org/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Historic%20Chattahoochee%20Commission/119548584728079/ Facebook]<br><br>
'''Southwest Georgia Genealogical Society'''<br>PO Box 4672<br>Albany, GA 31706<br>Email: [mailto:Freddypage@aol.com Freddypage@aol.com]<br>[http://www.swggs.org/ Website]<br>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/swggs/ Facebook]<br><br>


{{GA History}}
== Websites ==
 
{{GA Websites Intro|Decatur}}
==== Maps ====
[[Image:Gadecatur.jpg|right|900px]]
 
==== Marriages  ====
 
*1885-1886 (from newspapers) [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Decatur County&nbsp;Marriage Licenses 1824 to 1841 (Grooms) [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to&nbsp;Decatur County&nbsp;Marriage Licenses 1837-1869 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Decatur County&nbsp;Marriage Licenses 1868-1896 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
 
==== Military  ====
 
==== Newspapers  ====
 
{{GA Newspaper abstracts|Decatur}}
 
==== Probate&nbsp;  ====
 
{{GA Probate Intro}}
 
*Wills 1828-1838 (digital images). See names of Testators [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers]
*Wills 1839-1865 (digital images). See names of Testators. [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Wills 1828-1838 (abstracts) [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers]$<br>
*Index to Minute Books A and B (includes some wills) [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers]$<br>
*Index to Will Book&nbsp;A 1828-1838 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Will Book B 1839-1873 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Will Book C&nbsp;1873-1913 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Appraisements,&nbsp;Sales, 1828-1833 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Journal (estates) 1834-1848 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Annual Returns 1835-1850 [http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $[http://www.georgiapioneers.com/counties/countydecatur.html Georgia Pioneers] $
*Index to Vouchers, Returns 1829-1837
 
==== Taxation  ====
 
{{GA Tax Intro}}
 
==== Vital Records  ====
 
{{GA Vital Intro}}
 
===== Marriage  =====
 
*'''1824-1841''' - Decatur County Marriage Book AA Index 1824-1841. Batch {{IGI|M712651}} at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="vr">Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/0/09/Igigeorgiaad.pdf.</ref>
*'''1837-1869''' - Decatur County Marriage Book A Index 1837-1869. Batch {{IGI|M712652}} at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="vr" />
*'''1868-1895''' - Decatur County Marriage Book B Index 1868-1895. Batch {{IGI|M712653}} at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="vr" />
*'''1895''' - Decatur County Marriage Book D Index 1895. Batch {{IGI|M712654}} at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="vr" />
 
===== Death  =====
 
*'''1859-60, 1879-80''' - {{PAGENAME}} Mortality Schedules at [http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/list.aspx?dbid=8756 Ancestry] ($).<br>
 
== Decatur County Georgia Genealogy Societies and Libraries&nbsp;  ==
 
==== Family History Centers  ====
 
*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]
*[[Bainbridge Georgia Family History Center]]
 
== Decatur County Georgia Genealogy Websites  ==
 
*USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
*{{FHL|Georgia%2C+Decatur|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}}  
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/GA/Decatur/ Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium)
*Georgia Pioneers [http://www.georgiapioneers.com Georgia Pioneers]$


== Decatur County Georgia Genealogy References  ==
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/173266752734188/ Georgia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook]
*[http://www.thegagenweb.com/gadecatur/ US GenWeb Decatur County, Georgia  project]. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
*[http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/decatur.htm GAGenWeb Archives]
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/GA/Decatur/ Decatur County, Georgia Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium)
*[http://www.georgiapioneers.com Georgia Pioneers] $
*{{FSC Place IDNum|1278|Georgia|Decatur}}- The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records


<references /> {{Georgia|Georgia}}  
== Research Guides ==
{{GA Research Guides Intro|Decatur}}


<br>{{Georgia-stub}} <br>  
== References ==
<references />


[[Category:Decatur_County,_Georgia]]
{{Georgia|Georgia}}
[[Category:Decatur County, Georgia]][[Category:Georgia (state) Counties]]

Latest revision as of 09:56, 19 August 2025


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

County Facts
County seat: Bainbridge
Organized: December 8, 1823
Parent County(s): Early[1]
Neighboring Counties
Baker • Gadsden (FL) • Grady • Jackson (FL) • Miller • Mitchell • Seminole
See County Maps
Courthouse
Decatur County Court House Bainbridge, Georgia.jpg
Location Map
Georgia Decatur County Map.png
Stephen Decatur

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

Decatur County was named for the United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state.[2]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Decatur County Courthouse
1400 E Shotwell Street
PO Box 735
Bainbridge, GA 31717-0735
Phone: 229-248-3030
Decatur County Website

Probate Court has marriage records from 1823 and probate records.
Clerk Superior Court has divorce, court and land records from 1823.[3]

Decatur 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.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[4]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1919 1823 1919 1823 1823 1823 1820
*Statewide registration of births and death began in 1919. General compliance for births by 1928 and deaths by 1922.

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

1878 The courthouse at Bainbridge burned on 6 May. Probate records suffered heavy losses, but some deed books were salvaged.[5]

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


Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

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
Towns
Unincorporated communities
  • Otisco
  • Parker Courthouse
  • Recovery
  • Smiths Landing
  • Vada
American Indian Communities
Ghost towns

History Timeline[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

Biographies[edit | edit source]

Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

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

Census Records[edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1830 3,854 —
1840 5,872 52.4%
1850 8,262 40.7%
1860 11,922 44.3%
1870 15,183 27.4%
1880 19,072 25.6%
1890 19,949 4.6%
1900 29,454 47.6%
1910 29,045 −1.4%
1920 31,785 9.4%
1930 23,622 −25.7%
1940 22,234 −5.9%
1950 23,620 6.2%
1960 25,203 6.7%
1970 22,310 −11.5%
1980 25,495 14.3%
1990 25,511 0.1%
2000 28,240 10.7%
2010 27,842 −1.4%
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]

Directories[edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]

Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

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


Local Histories[edit | edit source]

Local histories are available for Decatur 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]

AlabamaJackson CountyGadsden CountySeminole CountyGrady CountyMiller CountyBaker CountyMitchell CountyGA DECATUR.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration[edit | edit source]

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Civil War

Online Records

Regiments. Service men in Decatur 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 Decatur County:


  • Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Decatur County). 1961. Muster roll of the First Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, 1861. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. Film 249613
  • Hageness, MariLee Beatty. 1995. Confederate soldiers and their units, Decatur County, Georgia. [Anniston, Alabama]: MariLee Beatty Hageness. 975.8993 M2h also Film 2055469 item 10
    Google Book $

Spanish-American War

World War I

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Voting Records

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


School Records[edit | edit source]

Social Security Records[edit | edit source]

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.

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]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

Voting Records[edit | edit source]

Research Facilities[edit | edit source]

Archives[edit | edit source]

Listed below are archives in Decatur County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Georgia Archives and Libraries.

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.
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Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries[edit | edit source]

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

Museums[edit | edit source]

Societies[edit | edit source]

Listed below are societies in Decatur County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Georgia Societies.

Decatur County Genealogical Society
127 E Water St
PO Box 1388
Bainbridge, GA 39818
229-246-2124
Website
Facebook

Historic Chattahoochee Commission
136 Main Street
PO Box 942
LaGrange, GA 30241
706-845-8440
Email: hcc3@earthlink.net
Website
Facebook

Southwest Georgia Genealogical Society
PO Box 4672
Albany, GA 31706
Email: Freddypage@aol.com
Website
Facebook

Websites[edit | edit source]

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Georgia" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Georgia accessed 31 Oct 2018
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur 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.
  5. ↑ Paul K. Graham, Georgia Courthouse Disasters (Decatur, Georgia: Genealogy Co., 2013), 26. At various libraries (WorldCat).
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur County, Georgia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County%2C_Georgia, accessed 11 Febuary 2019.
  8. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/09/Igigeorgiaad.pdf.
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