Fentress County, Tennessee Genealogy
Guide to Fentress County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for James Fentress (1763-1843), who served as speaker of the statehouse, chairman of Montgomery County Court. The County is located in the north-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Fentress County Courthouse
101 S Main Street
Jamestown, TN 38556
Fentress County Courthouse Phone: 931-879-8615
County Clerk Phone: 931-879-8014
Register of Deeds Phone: 931-879-7818
Circuit Court Clerk Phone: 931-879-7919
County clerk has marriage records from 1905
Register of deeds has land records[3]
Fentress County, Tennessee 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.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1914 | 1905 | 1914 | 1842 | 1820 | 1905 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
1905 Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.[5]
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Tennessee county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Tennessee County Boundary Maps" (1777-1985) may be viewed at the MapofUS.org website. |
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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
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]
- Tennesse Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines. Coal Mines and Mining--Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: A.B. Travel, 1883. Free digital copy.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
| See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information. | |
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 2,748 | — |
| 1840 | 3,550 | 29.2% |
| 1850 | 4,454 | 25.5% |
| 1860 | 5,054 | 13.5% |
| 1870 | 4,717 | −6.7% |
| 1880 | 5,941 | 25.9% |
| 1890 | 5,226 | −12.0% |
| 1900 | 6,106 | 16.8% |
| 1910 | 7,446 | 21.9% |
| 1920 | 10,435 | 40.1% |
| 1930 | 11,036 | 5.8% |
| 1940 | 14,262 | 29.2% |
| 1950 | 14,917 | 4.6% |
| 1960 | 13,288 | −10.9% |
| 1970 | 12,593 | −5.2% |
| 1980 | 14,826 | 17.7% |
| 1990 | 14,669 | −1.1% |
| 2000 | 16,625 | 13.3% |
| 2010 | 17,958 | 8.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Fentress County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Tennessee Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than nationwide online indexes.
1810-1891
Male Voters
- 1891 Tennessee Enumeration of Male Voters 1891 at Ancestry ($)
See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.
1830
- Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.
- Hatfield, Wanda S. Early Records, Fentress County, Tennessee: 1830, 1840, 1850 Census; 1833 Enumeration. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1988. FHL 976.869 X2h
1833
- Hatfield, Wanda S. Early Records, Fentress County, Tennessee: 1830, 1840, 1850 Census; 1833 Enunmeration. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1988. FHL 976.869 X2h
1840
- Hatfield, Wanda S. Early Records, Fentress County, Tennessee: 1830, 1840, 1850 Census; 1833 Enunmeration. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1988. FHL 976.869 X2h
1840 Pensioners
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FHL US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FHL US/CAN Film 2321. 1841 edition digitized by the U.S. Census Bureau and Google Books et. al. See Tennessee, Middle District, Fentress County on page 155.
1850
- Carpenter, V.K.Seventh Census of the United States, 1850, Fentress County, Tennessee. Huntsville, Arkansas: Century Enterprises, Genealogical Service, 1969. FHL 976.869 X2p 1850
- Hatfield, Wanda S. Early Records, Fentress County, Tennessee: 1830, 1840, 1850 Census; 1833 Enunmeration. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1988. FHL 976.869 X2h
- Peden, Eva C. 1850 Census of Fentress County, Tennessee.Glasgow, Kentucky, Gorin Genealogical Publishing, 1992. FHL 976.869 X2pe 1850
- Robbins, Kathleen W.1850 Fentress County Census. Huntsville, Tennessee: Scott County Historical Society, 19-?. FHL 976.869 X2s 1850
1860
- Robbins, Kathleen W.1860 Fentress County Census. Huntsville, Tennessee: Scott County Historical Society, 198-?. FHL 976.869 X2s 1860
1870
- Hatfield, Wanda S. 1870 Federal Census Fentress County, Tennessee. Pall Mall, Tennessee: W.S. Hatfield, 1992. FHL 976.869 X2h 1870
1880
- Hatfield, Wanda S. 1880 Federal Census Fentress County, Tennessee. S.I.:s.n., 1986? FHL 976.869 X2f
- Sistler, Byron H. and Barbara Sistler. 1880 Census Fentress County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: B. Sistler and Associates, 1993. FHL 976.869 X22s 1880
1890 Lost, but substitutes are available:
- Reed, Sue S. Enumeration of Male Inhabitants of Twenty-one Years of Age and Upward, Citizens of Tennessee, January 1, 1891, as Provided for by an Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, Passed January 15, 1891, and Approved January 22, 1891. 8 vols. Houston, Texas: S.S. Reed, 1989. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2r v. 5 1891. Fentress County is included in Vol. 5.
- Sistler, Byron H. and Barbara Sistler. 1890 Civil War Veterans Census, Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: Byron Sister and Associates, 1978. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1890.
1900
- Hatfield, Wanda S. 1900 Federal Census of Fentress County, Tennessee. Pall Mall, Tennessee: W.S. Hatfield, 1991 FHL 976.869 X2h 1900
- Minton, Vestina L.Fentress County Census, Tennessee,1900.Harrogate, Tennessee: T. and V. Minton, 1990. FHL 976.869 X2m 1900
1910
- Hatfield, Wanda S. 1910 Federal Census of Fentress County, Tennessee. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1989 FHL 976.869 X2h 1910
1920
- Ramsey, Gerald R.1920 Census of Fentress County, Tennessee.Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 1994. FHL 976.869 X29f 1920
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Court records began in 1842
Law and Legislation
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850: Index to Names. January 25, 2005. In addition to creating new laws, legislative acts were often required to obtain a divorce, grant legitimacy to a child, or for appointments to or grant payments for public service. The TSLA has created an index to names that appear in these acts covering the years 1796 to 1850. To read more about this valuable resource Click here. The searchable index is available at the TSLA; another version is available at World Vital Records.
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]
More than 15 genealogies have been published about Bledsoe County, Tennessee families. For more information visit Fentress County, Tennessee Compiled Genealogies.
This Personal Ancestral File database contains genealogies of nearly every family to live in Fentress County from its foundation. (Info file):
- York, Bruce E. Fentress County, Tennessee Genealogy Database. Gilbert, Arizona: B.E. York, 2006. FHL CD-ROM no. 2701.
- Updated version: York's Fentress Co, TN Database.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Fentress County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1820 and is located at Courthouse, Main St., Jamestown, TN 38556; (931) 879-8615. Land and property records include transfer of real estate or personal property, mortgages, leases, surveys, and entries.
Online Records and Indexes
- 1820-1838 Deed Book A: 1820-1838 Strictly By Name - Index only
- 1837-1843 Deed Book B: 1837-1843 Strictly By Name - Index only
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Hogue, Albert Ross. History of Fentress County, Tennessee: The Old Home of Mark Twain's Ancestors. Nashville, Tenn.: Press of Williams Printing Co., 1916. Digital version at Google Books. 1975 reprint: FHL US/CAN Book 976.869 H2ha.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Tennessee (1777-1985)
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this couinty - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
The following Fentress County Revolutionary War records are available online through TNGenWeb:
Additional resources include:
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FHL US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FHL US/CAN Film 2321. 1841 edition digitized by the U.S. Census Bureau and Google Books et. al. [See Tennessee, Middle District, Fentress County on page 155.]
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." Digital version at Ancestry ($). Tennessee entries abstracted online at Tennesseans in the Revolutionary War, courtesy: TNGenWeb. Includes veterans from this county; Tennessee section begins on page 381.
War of 1812
- Embry, Hermione D. "War of 1812 - Tennessee Pensioners on List - January 2, 1883," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 7, No. 2 (Apr. 1960):40-45. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 7 (1960); digital version at journal website. [Includes Fentress County pensioners (p. 44)]
- Transcription typed and formatted by Harold Keisling. Third? Regiment Tennessee Militia, Capt. Wiley Huddelston's CompanyRaised from men who were from Overton, Pickett and Fentress County, Tennessee. Courtesy: TNGenWeb
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 - Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1891-1965 - Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Research Database
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Regiments. Men in Fentress County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Fentress County:
Confederate Soldiers
- 4th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Confederate)- CSA - Company I.
- 4th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Murray's) - CSA - Company F.
- 8th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Smith's) - CSA - Company I.
- 8th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company F.
Union Soldiers
- 1st Regiment, Tennessee Mounted Infantry - Company D.
- 2nd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - Companies B and D.
- Beaty's Company, Tennessee Independent Mounted Scouts - Organized in Fentress County.
Additional sources for Civil War soldiers from Fentress County:
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Fentress County. Includes soldier's name, county, pension #, unit or widow.
- United States Pension Bureau, List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883: Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for ... (Washington Printing Office; 1883). Online at Internet Archive. Fentress County, page 333.
- 1890 Census for Pickett, Fentress, and Clay Counties. Here is a listing of all Union Civil War veterans and their wives. It lists name, rank, company, town they lived in, any ailments, and county.
- Fentress County Tennessee Civil War Heroes.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Many Tennessee newspapers are filmed and available at the TSLA. Most of these newspapers may be accessed by interlibrary loan to libraries within Tennessee, although there are some newspapers which are not available in or outside of Tennessee. For further information regarding interlibrary loan policies and newspapers not available for interlibrary loan click here. For a list of newspapers available at the archives for Fentress County click on the following cities:
- Allardt
- Jamestown
- 1794-1851 - Lucas, Silas Emmett. Marriages from Early Tennessee Newspapers 1794-1851. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1978. FHL 976.8 V2L.
For deaths of Methodists in Fentress County between the 1830s and the 1920s, try:
- Smith, Jonathan K.T. Genealogical Abstracts from Reported Deaths, the Nashville Christian Advocate. (1847-1914) 10 vols. Jackson, Tenn.: J.K.T. Smith, 1997-2003. FHL US/CAN Books 976.855/N1 V48s 1847-1851 ff; digital versions at David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository. Website expands upon the publications and includes deaths from the 1830s, 1840s, 1910s and 1920s.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Prisons[edit | edit source]
- 1831-1850 - Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
- 1851-1870 - Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Genealogical periodicals can contain unique sources and can be local, regional, or statewide. The following periodicals cover this county:
- Ansearchin' News: Quarterly magazine of the Tennessee Genealogical Society. For a keyword search, go to the county index. Read previous issues on their website; FHL Book 976.8 B2a.
- Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter: Publication of the Fentress County Historical Society.
- The Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History: Quarterly magazine of the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society. For surnames, use the volume-by-volume index, or do a keyword search of the Article Index. FHL US/CAN Book 976.85 D25m.
- Overton County, Tennessee Kin: Publication of the Overton County Genealogical Society, covering all the area in Overton, Fentress, and Pickett County, TN along with Monterey in Putnam County, and Clinton, Wayne and Cumberland County in Kentucky. FHL US/CAN 976.8684 B2n
- The Pellissippian: Published by the Anderson County Historical Society (formerly called, Pellissippi Genealogical and Historical Society). The table of contents for some issues are available on their website. FHL Book 976.8 D25p.
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
The Fentress County Court has responsibility for the probate records, which began in 1905.
Online Records and Indexes
- 1779-2008 Tennessee Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 at Ancestry ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1833 - Barham, Eleanor R. and Elizabeth R. Nichols. "1833 Enumeration, Fentress County, Tennessee," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Spring 1980):9-12. For FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Fentress. (600 names)
- 1833 York, Bruce. "1833 Fentress County Tax List," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb.
- 1865 Tax List, 1865, Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter. Jamestown TN: Fall 1992. Vol. 4 Iss. 3.
- 1872 Tax Books, 1872, Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter. Jamestown TN: Summer 1989. Vol. 1 Iss. 2; Fall 1989. Vol. 1 Iss. 3; Winter 1989. Vol. 1 Iss. 4; Spring 1990. Vol. 2 Iss. 1; Summer 1990. Vol. 2 Iss. 2; Fall 1990. Vol. 2 Iss. 3; Winter 1990. Vol. 2 Iss. 4; Spring 1991. Vol. 3 Iss. 1.
- 1872 Hatfield, Wanda S. 1872 Tax Records, Fentress County, Tennessee. Signal Mountain, Tennessee Mountain Press, 1991. FHL 976.869 R4h; online: index and purchase details.
- 1875 Dog Tax, 1875, Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter. Jamestown TN: Spring 1992. Vol. 4 Iss. 1.
- 1892 Tax Book, 1892, Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter. Jamestown TN: Spring 1989. Vol. 1 Iss. 1.
- 1892 Delinquent Tax List, 1892, Fentress County Historical Society Newsletter. Jamestown TN: Fall 1992. Vol. 4 Iss. 3.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1828-1939 - Tennessee Births and Christenings 1828-1939 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1869-1909 - Tennessee Delayed Birth Records 1869-1909 at Ancestry ($)
- 1908-1912 - Tennessee, Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Online Indexes and Records
- 1625-1966 - Tennessee, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1780-2002 - Tennessee State Marriages 1780-2002 at Ancestry ($)
- 1780-2002 - Tennessee State Marriage Index 1780-2002 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1790-1962 - Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950 [1790-1962] - at FamilySearch- How to Use this Collection. Covers all counties in Tennessee.
- 1796-1950 - Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950 (Indexes only) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1838-1888 - Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1851-1900 - Tennessee Marriages 1851-1900 at Ancestry ($)
- 1980-2014 - Marriage Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1869-1909 - Tennessee Delayed Birth Records 1869-1909 at Ancestry ($)
- 1874-1955 - Tennessee Deaths and Burials 1874-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1908-1933 - Tennessee Deaths, 1908 - 1933 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1908-1912 - Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1933 - Tennessee Death Records 1914-1933 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1966 - Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1949-2014 - Death Records Index 1949-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1796-1850 - Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1980-2014 - Divorce Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Fentress County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Cookeville Tennessee Family History Center
- Crossville Tennessee Family History Center
- Jamestown Tennessee Family History Center
- Art Circle Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Knox County Public Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Fentress County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Fentress County Public Library
306 South Main St.
Jamestown, TN 38556
Phone: 931-879-7512
Fax: 931-879-6984
Facebook
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Fentress County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.
Fentress County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1431
Jamestown, TN 38556
Phone: 931-879-4333
Email: fentresshistory@gmail.com
Facebook
Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 575
Cookeville, TN 38503-0575
Email: info@ucga.info
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- Fentress County TN Genealogy
- Fentress County, TN Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Fentress County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Fentress County, courtesy: TSLA. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fentress, Tennessee" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentress_County,_Tennessee accessed 18 Dec 2018
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Fentress County, Tennessee, p.639
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Lost Records: Courthouse Fires and Disasters in Tennessee in Tennessee State Library and Archives in Tennessee Secretary of State (accessed 31 March 2014).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fentress County, Tennessee," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentress_County,_Tennessee, accessed 13 November 2019.
