Tennessee Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 08:49, 20 August 2025

Tennessee Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

Tennessee Background

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

Tennessee Vital Records Dates[edit | edit source]

Government Registration	Births	Marriages	Deaths
County/Town	1881	County Formation	1881
State	1908*	1945	1908*
General Compliance	1927	1838**	1927
1913 is missing from births and deaths 1838 law required counties to retain* marriage records

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Birth[edit | edit source]

1828-1939 Tennessee Births and Christenings, 1828–1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1869-1909 Tennessee, U.S., Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909 at Ancestry — index & images
1881-1915 Tennessee, City Birth Records, 1881-1915 at Ancestry ($)
1908-1912 Tennessee Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriage[edit | edit source]

1600s-1900s US Marriages – Tennessee, 1625-1966 at Findmypast — index & images ($)
1780-2002 Tennessee Marriage Index, 1780-2002 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
1784-1825 Tennessee Compiled Marriages, 1784-1825 at Ancestry — index ($)
1790-1950 Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1796-1950 Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1838-1888 Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images
1851-1900 Tennessee Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900 at Ancestry — index ($)

Death[edit | edit source]

1872-1923 Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1874-1955 Tennessee Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
1908-1912 Deaths (enumerator record series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch — index & images
1908-1933 Tennessee Deaths, 1908-1933 at Ancestry — index ($)
1908-1965 Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1965 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1914-1931 Index to Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1933 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
1914-1966 Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1966 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Divorce[edit | edit source]

See Tennessee Divorce Records for more resources.

Get Copies[edit | edit source]

Restrictions

Birth records (including delayed births) are restricted for 100 years.
Death and marriage records are restricted for 50 years.

Tennessee Office of Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Website

* Certified copies can only be provided to the person named on the certificate or certain family members.

*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.^[1]^[2]

*Forms: Birth; Death; Marriage

Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA)
1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Nashville, TN 37219
Phone: 615-741-2764
Email: ask@tsla.libanswers.com
Website

* They have birth records (including delayed births) after 100 years and death and marriage records after 50 years.

*Order Records From TSLA

*Tennessee Virtual Archive (TEVA)

*Online digital copies of birth, death, and marriage records released to the public.

*Click the number ^[3] 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.

County Courthouses

* Marriage Book. "The county clerk is required to record in a well-bound book.... in 1838"^[4]

* Counties use TEVA (above) to print copies of birth and death records released to the public.^[5]

* Births and Deaths are forwarded to the State and not retained in registration districts.^[6]

* County Clerks Contact information at University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service.

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Birth and Death Records

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.

Marriage Records

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.

Information in the Records[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Tennessee Birth Records May Include*
Name of Child	x
Birth Date/Place	x
Sex/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
Parents' Birthplace	x
# of Children Born/Living	x
Residence/Occupation	x
Midwife/Doctor	x
* Early records may have less information

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^[7]
Births are generally collected by local registration districts from doctors and midwives or from a parent. Registration districts send them to the state.

Delayed Birth Records
In 1935, many adults applied for delayed birth certificates in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits.

See also:

Hinkle Gladles birth certificate 1908
Virginia Hatfield birth certificate 1925

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

Tennessee Marriage Records May Include:*
Names of Bride/Groom**	x
Date/Place of Marriage	x
Presiding Official	x
# of Times Married	x
Dates/Places of Birth	x
Residences/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
Name of Bondsman	x
* Early records may have less information ** May be previous married name of bride

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.

These records are of three types: applications for licenses, marriage bonds, and marriage licenses.
Several counties^[8] did not retain even licenses and returns until mandated by law in 1838.^[9]

*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.^[10]

Beginning in 1945, Tennessee required registration of marriages with the state. Since 1 January 1949, duplicates have been sent to the Office of Vital Statistics.
Couples may have married in neighboring counties or eloped.

*Gretna Greens. When a Tennessee couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like Fort Southwest Point TN for frontier couples, or Rome GA, or Mount Airy NC, or Pike County, Kentucky.^[11]

See also:

Death Records[edit | edit source]

Tennessee Death Records May Include:*
Name of Decedent	x
Date/Place of Death	x
Sex/Race	x
Occupation	x
Age/Date of Birth	x
State/Country of Birth	x
Length of Residence	x
Name of Spouse	x
Parents' Names	x
Birth Places of Parents	x
Physician	x
Cause of Death	x
Informant	x
Cemetery	x
* Early records may have less information

Most counties kept death records beginning July, 1908, skipping 1913, and continued 1914-present.^[12]

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.^[13]^[14]
A woman will be probably be found under her married surname at the time of death.

Cause of Death

Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.

See also:

Hatfield Death Certificate 1910
Hatfield, Joseph Jr Death Certificate 1956

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

Strategy[edit | edit source]

Tips for Using Vital Records

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 Burned, Lost, or Missing Records.
The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. 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

See also:

Burned, Lost, or Missing Records[edit | edit source]

The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

See also:

Burned Counties Research for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.

Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:

References[edit | edit source]

↑ 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.
↑ University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service, 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.
↑ 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)
↑ 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".
↑ Information from Claiborne County clerk (423) 626-3283, 7/2/2024; and Hickman County Health Department, (931) 729-3516, 8/6/2024
↑ Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 35. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).
↑ Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Birth Records," pp. 7-34 (images 15-42 of 166).
↑ FamilySearch Research Wiki, 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, Benton, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Claiborne, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Johnson, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Madison, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Smith, Stewart, Tipton, and Weakley
↑ 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." 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."
↑ Per Edythe Rucker Whitley after publishing several marriage record indexes for Tennessee in the early 1980's.
↑ 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.
↑ Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).
↑ 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.
↑ "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.

[1] 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.

[2] University of Tennessee, County Technical Assistance Service, 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.

[3] 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)

[4] 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".

[5] Information from Claiborne County clerk (423) 626-3283, 7/2/2024; and Hickman County Health Department, (931) 729-3516, 8/6/2024

[6] Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 35. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).

[7] Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Birth Records," pp. 7-34 (images 15-42 of 166).

[8] FamilySearch Research Wiki, 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, Benton, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Claiborne, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Johnson, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Madison, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Smith, Stewart, Tipton, and Weakley

[9] 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." 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."

[10] Per Edythe Rucker Whitley after publishing several marriage record indexes for Tennessee in the early 1980's.

[11] 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.

[12] Historical Records Survey (Tennessee), Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee, (Nashville: The Tennessee State Planning Commission, 1941), 7, 14. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; "Death Records," pp. 35-58 (images 43-66 of 166).

[13] 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.

[14] "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.

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