If your ancestors were ever in court as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors, they may be in court records. They may have participated in cases of probate, naturalization, divorce, debt, adoption, guardianship, licenses, appointment to public office, taxes, civil and criminal lawsuits, property disputes, crimes, or any other matters brought before a court. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence. They often provide occupations, descriptions, and other family history information. Tennessee courts having records of genealogical value are as follows:

1796–1809	Courts of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions were county courts with jurisdiction in minor matters: taxes, budget, probate, and minor civil and criminal cases.
1796–1809	Superior Courts of Law and Equity covered specific regions of the state and handled larger civil and equity cases. They were the predecessors of the Circuit and Supreme Courts.
1809–1834	Court of Pleas had jurisdiction over minor matters.
1809–present	Circuit Courts are courts of law. They decide whether the parties involved in a case are guilty or innocent. They handle cases such as divorce, theft, murder, assault, gambling, and bastardy. After 1847 some Circuit Courts divided into: Criminal Courts for State cases, and Civil Courts for cases between individuals.
1809–present	Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts. Until 1834 they limited their scope to law cases. After that date they receive appeals of all cases.
1822–1834	Chancery Division of Supreme Court handled larger equity cases.
1834–present	County Courts handle business matters only, no disputes. They deal with probate, proving wills, apprentice bonds, tax adjustments, providing for paupers and “idiots,” and road crew appointments.
1834–present	Chancery Courts handle any equity case, including estate, land, and claims against public officials. These courts handled slave ownership disputes.