Tennessee Record Finder
United States 
Tennessee Record Selection Table
This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.
- In column 1, find the category closest to your research goal.
- In column 2, find the types of records most likely to have the information you need.
- In column 3, find additional record types that may be useful.
- Look in the section of this outline that corresponds to the record type you chose. It explains what the records might tell you, how to search them, and how to find the records in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog. Some records are not at the library.
Note: Records of previous researchg (Genealogy, Biography, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals but are not listed unless they are especially helpful.
| 1. If you need | 2. Look first in | 3. Then search |
| Adoptions | Court Records, Vital Records, Guardianship | Probate Records, Church Records, Census |
| Age | Census, Cemeteries, Obituaries, Vital Records | Naturalization and Citizenship, Military Records, Church Records, Bible Records |
| Birth date | Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Cemeteries | Church Records, Bible Records, Census, Military Records |
| Birth place | Vital Records, Church Records, Newspapers, Obituaries | Census, Military Records, Naturalization and Citizenship, Cemeteries |
| Children | Census, Probate Records, Newspapers, Obituaries | Vital Records, Guardianship, Church Records, Bible Records |
| City or parish of foreign birth | Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Biography | History, Naturalization and Citizenship, Emigration and Immigration, Military Records |
| County boundaries and origins | Maps, Gazetteers | History |
| Country of foreign birth | Census, Naturalization and Citizenship, Vital Records, Newspapers | Biography, History, Obituaries Emigration and Immigration |
| Death information | Vital Records, Cemeteries, Obituaries, Probate Records | Military Records, Church Records, Bible Records, Land and Property |
| Divorce | Divorce Records, Vital Records, Court Records, Newspapers | Census, Obituaries |
| Emigration | Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Census, Newspapers | Biography, History, Minorities, Societies |
| Ethnic background | Native Races, Minorities, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship | Societies, Church Records, Periodicals, Census |
| Historical background | History, Periodicals, Gazetteers | Maps, Land and Property |
| Immigration date | Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Census | Court Records, Biography, History |
| Living relatives | Newspapers, Obituaries, Probate Records, Directories | Court Records, Census |
| Maiden name | Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Probate Records | Church Records, Military Records, Cemeteries |
| Marriage information | Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Census | Probate Records, Church Records, Military Records |
| Migration Information | Emigration and Immigration, Maps, Census, Biography | History, Land and Property, Military Records, Minorities |
| Naturalization | Naturalization and Citizenship, Census | Court Records, Biography, History |
| Occupations | Occupations, Census, Directories | Newspapers, Obituaries, Biography, History, Emigration and Immigration |
| Other family members | Census, Newspapers, Obituaries, Probate Records | Vital Records, Church Records, Bible Records |
| Parents | Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Census | Probate Records, Church Records, Societies |
| Physical description | Military Records, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship | Biography, History |
| Place-finding aids | Maps, Gazetteers, History | Periodicals, Archives and Libraries |
| Places of previous residence | Census, Military Records, Newspapers, Obituaries | Land and Property, Naturalization and Citizenship, Emigration and Immigration, Public Records |
| Place of residence when you know only the state | Census, Vital Records, Military Records | Naturalization and Citizenship |
| Previous Research | Genealogy, Biography, Periodicals, Societies | History, Archives and Libraries |
| Record-finding aids | Archives and Libraries, Church Records, Periodicals | Societies, For Further Reading |
| Religion | Church Records, Vital Records, Newspapers, Obituaries, Biography | History, Cemeteries, Directories |
| Social activities | Societies, Newspapers, Obituaries, Biography | History, Cemeteries, Directories |