Williamson County, Tennessee Genealogy
Guide to Williamson County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Williamson County was named for Hugh Williamson, a North Carolina politician who signed the U.S. Constitution. The county is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Williamson County Courthouse
1320 W. Main St.
Franklin, TN 37064
County Courthouse Phone: 615-790-5712
County Clerk Phone: 615-790-5712
Williamson County Archives
P.O. Box 1006
Franklin,TN 37064
Williamson County Archives Phone: 615-790-5462
County Clerk has marriage records from 1800, tax, probate and land records from 1799.[3]
Williamson 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 |
1881 | 1800 | 1881 | 1800 | 1799 | 1799 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. Lost censuses: 1800, 1810 |
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]
Allisona | Carpenters (hist.) | Greenbrier | Owens (hist.) |
Arno | Cheatham (hist.) | Harpeth | Parry |
Arrington | Clovercroft | Kingfield | Peytonsville |
Beachville (hist.) | College Grove | Kirkland | Riggs Crossroads |
Beasley Crossroads | Craigfield | Leipers Fork | Rudderville |
Benhill | Douglas | Liberty Hill | Smarden |
Berrys Chapel | Duplex | Mayberry (hist.) | Southall |
Bethesda | Duplex Mission | McDaniel | Stevens Shop (hist.) |
Bethlehem | Epworth | McEwen (hist.) | Sycamore |
Bingham | Ewingville | McGavock (hist.) | Thompsons Station |
Boston | Fairview | Millview | Trinity |
Brentwood | Fernvale | Mizell (hist.) | Triune |
Brentwood Station | Fernvale Springs (hist.) | Moores (hist.) | West Harpeth |
Brush Creek | Flemingsburg (hist.) | Mudsink | Whiteoak |
Burwood | Forest Home | New Hope | Wikles (hist.) |
Callender (hist.) | Franklin | Nolensville | Wilkes (hist.) |
Callie | Grassland | Old Town (hist.) |
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Additional Information
Middle Tennessee county established in 1799. The northern part of the county belonged to the pioneer Cumberland Settlements.[6]
The county is named after Hugh Williamson (1735-1819), North Carolina's representative at the Constitutional Convention.[7]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- Middle Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1784 to 1902. 2004. By Alan N. Miller. Baltimore, Md.: Clearfield Company. FHL US/CAN 976.8 U2ma. Includes Williamson County.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information. |
Additional Cemetery Resources
- Tennessee Cemeteries - Hometown Locator
- Watkins, Raymond W. A Partial List of Mississippi Confederate Soldiers Killed at Franklin Tennessee November 30, 1864 and Buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Franklin Tennessee, Williamson County. Falls Church, Va.: R.W. Watkins,1993. FHL Collection 976.856/F1 V3; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Watkins, Raymond Wesley and McGavock Confederate Cemetery. Some Confederate Burials, McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Franklin Tennessee, Williamson County: Missouri Soldiers. Falls Church, Va.: R.W. Watkins, 1993. FHL Collection 976.856/F1V3; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1800 | 2,868 | — |
1810 | 13,153 | 358.6% |
1820 | 20,640 | 56.9% |
1830 | 26,638 | 29.1% |
1840 | 27,006 | 1.4% |
1850 | 27,201 | 0.7% |
1860 | 23,827 | −12.4% |
1870 | 25,328 | 6.3% |
1880 | 28,313 | 11.8% |
1890 | 26,321 | −7.0% |
1900 | 26,429 | 0.4% |
1910 | 24,213 | −8.4% |
1920 | 23,409 | −3.3% |
1930 | 22,845 | −2.4% |
1940 | 25,220 | 10.4% |
1950 | 24,307 | −3.6% |
1960 | 25,267 | 3.9% |
1970 | 34,330 | 35.9% |
1980 | 58,108 | 69.3% |
1990 | 81,021 | 39.4% |
2000 | 126,638 | 56.3% |
Source: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. |
1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Williamson 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.
See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.
See Williamson County, Tennessee census assignments, including links to transcribed files and scanned images of census microfilm. The USGenWeb Census Project®.
1800 Lost A substitute is available, see Tax Records.
1810 Lost A substitute is available:
- Sherrill, Charles A. The Reconstructed 1810 Census of Tennessee: 33,000 Long-lost Records from Tax Lists, Court Minutes, Church Records, Wills, Deeds and Other Sources. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.: C.A. Sherrill, 2001. Google Books.
1810-1891
1820
- Bentley, Elizabeth P. Index to the 1820 Census of Tennessee. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1981. FHL 976.8 X22b 1820. Online at Ancestry ($).
- Presley, Mrs. Leister E. Williamson County, Tennessee Population Schedules of the United States Census of 1820. Typescript, 19--?. FHL 976.856 X2p 1820
- Waldrep, G.C. "'Free Colored' Heads of Household in the 1820 Tennessee Census," online at Free African Americans. Includes African Americans in this county.
1820 Manufactures
The original manufactures schedules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Tennessee are kept at the NARA, Washington, D.C. FHL copies: FHL US/CAN Films 1024517-1024518.
- National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. FHL US/CAN Book 973 X2m 1820.
1840 Revolutionary War 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, Williamson County on page 158.
1850
- Williamson County Historical Society. 1850 Census of Williamson County, Tennessee. Franklin, Tennessee Mrs. Clyde Lynch, 1970. FHL 976.856 X2p 1850
1880
- Sistler, Barbara and Byron H. Sistler. 1880 Census Williamson County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: B. Sistler and Associates, 1999. FHL 976.856 X2s 1880
- Census Taken in Williamson County, 1880. Manuscript, Nashville, Tennessee TSLA, 1966. FHL 454093
1890 Lost 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. 8 1891. Williamson County is included in Vol. 8.
- 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.
1891 Male Voters
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Episcopal
- 1827-1885 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Franklin, Baptism Index 1827-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C711541 [8]
- 1827-1895 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Franklin, Marriage Index 1827-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M711541 .
Methodist Episcopal
- Mathews, Reverend John D.D. Peeps into Life Autobiography. Methodist Episcopal Church Tennessee Conference, 1904. Free digital copy.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Law and Legislation
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850: Index to Names. [9] 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. Online searchable index at TSLA.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
During the War of 1812, American officials reported finding a total of 6 British aliens, some of whom had families, living in the town of Franklin and Williamson County.
- Kenneth Scott. British Aliens in the United States During the War of 1812. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979, 372-378 (see East Tennessee). FHL US/CAN 973 W4s; digital version at Ancestry ($)
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African Americans
- Waldrep, G.C. "'Free Colored' Heads of Household in the 1820 Tennessee Census," available online, courtesy: Free African Americans website. IncludesAfrican Americans in this county.
- Craighead, Sandra G. "1867 Voters List," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb. Abstract of the Franklin Review Appeal, 14 June 1867; includes white and black voters.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
General
- As of August 2010, a query for persons born in Williamson, Tennessee at World Connect, results in more than 44,000 entries.
Bibliography
- Andrews - Andrews, Ella Smith Johns. The Descendants of John, George and Ephraim Andrews, Sons of Mark Andrews of Williamson County, Tennessee. Washington, D.C.: L.C. Photoduplication Service, 1982. FHL US/CAN Film 1303300.
- Crutcher - McCutcheon, Larry. Our Drake and Crutcher Families of Marshall County, Tennessee. Hohenwald, Tenn.: L. McCutcheon, 2007. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D789mL.
- Giddens - Buford, Marcus Bainbridge. A Genealogy of the Buford Family in America, With Records of a Number of Allied Families. San Francisco, Calif., 1903. Digital version at Internet Archive.
- Holt - Cooper, Albert L. Ancestors and Descendants of John Isabel Holt, Williamson County, Tennessee. Shelbyville, Tenn.: n.p., 1971. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H742c.
- Howard - Landis, Carolynn Butler. The Ancestors & Dependants [i.e. Descendants] of William Thomas Howard and Missouri Isabelle Hampton of Hamilton County, Illinois: and Allied Families of Brown, Burch, Buttery, Crouse, Hamilton, Harrington, Melton & Others. Fort Jones, Calif.: C.B. Landis, 1984. FHL 929.273 A1 no. 4381
- Moss - Moss, T.C. The David Moss Family: Green, Adair, Boyle, Barren, Hart, and Warren Co., Ky.; Williamson and Maury Co., Tenn.; Mississippi. Memphis, Tenn.: T.C. Moss, 1968. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M855mo.
- Otey - Green, William Mercer. Memoir of Rt. Rev. James Hervey Otey, D.D., LL. D., the First Bishop of Tennessee. New York. J. Pott and Company, 1885. Free digital copy, courtesy: Internet Archive.
- Parks - Armstrong, Zella. Notable Southern Families. Chattanooga, Tenn.: Lookout Publishing Company, 1926. Vol. 3. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library. .
- Sassin - Allen, Cameron. "Francois Sasin/Sassin of Manakin Town: The First Six Generations of the Sassin/Sasseen Family in America," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 37, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1993):3-17; Vol. 37, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1993):99-116; Vol. 37, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1993):193-205; Vol. 37, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1993):259-271. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 37 (1993).
- Swanson - McRaven, William Henry. Life and Times of Edward Swanson: One of the Original Pioneers Who with General James Robertson Founded Nashville, Tennessee, 1779; First Recorded Settler of Williamson County, Tennessee, March, 1780. Nashville, Tenn.: W.H. McRaven, 1937. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sw24m.
- Thomson - "A Thomson Genealogy," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 28, No. 3 (Summer 2000):123-136; Vol. 28, No. 4 (Fall 2000):186-191; Vol. 29, No. 1 (Winter 2001):25-38. FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 28-29
- Waddey - Waddey, John H. The Waddeys of Williamson County, Tennessee. Hermitage, Tenn.: J.H. Waddey, 1996. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W117w.
- Friends of Oak Grove, 'The Oak Grove Story': ancestors of residents near the Oak Grove Cemetery FHL US/CAN 976.856 D25f
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Local Land Entries Issued by North Carolina
The original Williamson County land entries issued by North Carolina are kept at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh. On their website, users can bring up a list of land entries issued in Williamson County, even though its land had already become a part of the state of Tennessee. Years covered: 1800-1801.
Instructions:
- Follow this link to conduct a "Call Number Search" using the MARS Catalog on their site.
- Using the pull down window, change "Call Numbers starting" to "A MarsID matching."
- Type 12.14.22 (Windows Vista users may need to include a period after the last digit, for example 12.14.22.) and click Search. This is the specific MarsID for Williamson County.
- Click on the entry that is returned: "Tennessee, Williamson County."
- In the window that pops up, click Show List of Child Records and a list of Williamson County land entries will be produced. Browse to find abstracts of the original records.[10]
N.B. You can also search by name through the Basic Search, but it lacks soundex capabilities.
Land Grants
- Free index to 1500+ Pioneer Cumberland Settlements Land Grants, available online, courtesy: Cumberland Pioneer Settlers. The Cumberland Settlements region covered what is now this county. To view the land grants platted on maps, purchase the books described on this site, or access those available at the Family History Library FHL US/CAN Large Q Book 976.8 E7d.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Albright, Edward. Early History of Middle Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: Brandon Printing Co., 1909.Free digitzed copy.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Tennessee (1777-1985)
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
The following Williamson County Revolutionary War records are available online through TNGenWeb:
- 1835 Pension Roll
- 1852 Rejected or Suspended Pensions
- List of Williamson County pensioners who served in the Revolutionary War
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, Williamson County on page 158.
- Lynch, Louise Gillespie Our Valiant Men Soldiers and Patriots of the Revolutionary War Who Lived in Williamson County, Tennessee [S.I.:s.n., c1976] FHL US/CAN book 976.856 D3L
- 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. 8, No. 3 (Jul. 1961):95-98; Vol. 8, No. 4 (Oct. 1961):122-124. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 8 (1961); digital version at journal website. Includes Williamson County pensioners (pp. 123-124).
- For information on units from Bedford County which served in the War of 1812 see tngenweb.org/bedford/war1812.htm
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 (free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry (free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1891-1965 - Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Regiments. Men in Williamson 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 Williamson County:
Confederate Soldiers
- 1st Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry (McNairy's) - CSA- Company C.
- 1st Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (Field's) - CSA - Company D.
- 1st/27th Consolidated Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company D.
- 3rd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (Clack's) - CSA - Company F.
- 20th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Companies B, D, and H.
- 24th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company B and D.
- 32nd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company D.
- 44th Consolidated Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company I.
- 44th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company I.
- 45th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company A.
- 55th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (McKoin's) - CSA - John L. McEwen, Jr., unlettered company
- Douglas' Battalion, Tennessee Partisan Rangers - CSA - Thomas F. Perkins's Company.
- Holman's Battalion, Tennessee Partisan Rangers - CSA - Company B.
Additional sources for Civil War soldiers from Williamson County:
- Cox, Jacob D. The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. New York: Scribner's & Sons, 1897. Free digital copy.
- McMurray, William Joseph. History of the 20th Tennessee Regiment Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A. Nashville, Tennessee: s.p., 1904. Free digital copy.
- Quintard, Charles Todd. Doctor Quintard, Chaplain C.S.A. and Second Bishop of Tennessee. Sewanee, Tennessee: The University Press, 1905. Free digital copy. Chaplain of the 1st Tennessee Regiment.
- Schofield, Levi Tucker. The Retreat from Pulaski to Nashville, Tenn.; Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. Cleveland: Press of the Caxton Co., 1909. Free digital copy.
- Watkins, Raymond W. A partial list of Mississippi Confederate soldiers killed at Franklin Tennessee November 30, 1864 and buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Franklin Tennessee, Williamson County Falls Church, Virginia:R.W. Watkins,1993. FHL book 976.856/F1 V3. Digital version available at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Watkins, Raymond Wesley and McGavock Confederate Cemetery Some Confederate burials, McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Franklin Tennessee, Williamson County: Missouri soldiers Falls Church, Virginia:R.W. Watkins, 1993 FHL book 976.856/F1V3 Digital version available at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- CWSAC, Battle Summaries, Brentwood, Franklin 1863, Franklin 1864 and Thompson's Station. Located in Williamson County.
- USGenWeb Archives, Williamson County Tennessee Archives. Military Records.
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Williamson 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. Williamson County, page 386.
- TNGenWeb, The Civil War in Williamson County.
Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battles were fought in Williamson County:
- March 5, 1863 - Thompson's Station[11]
- March 25, 1863 - Brentwood[12]
- April 10, 1863 - Franklin I[13]
- November 30, 1864 - Franklin II[14]
- Map showing Civil War battles in Tennessee.
World War I
Hollingsworth, Patricia Merrill. World War I Draft Registration Cards: Williamson County, Tennessee. Mt. Sterling, Ky.: P.M. Hollingsworth, 2006. FHL US/CAN Book 976.856 M28h.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Unites States Passport Applications are available from 1795-1925 - indexed at FamilySearch
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Many Tennessee newspapers are filmed and available at 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 Williamson County click on the following cities or towns:
- 1847 - 1851 - 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. (Largely Methodist?)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
The Williamson County Public Library has created an Obituary Database. There are nearly 45,000 records in this database and has been organized alphabetically by the surname of the deceased. The data fields in the index include last name, first name, year, month, and day of death, newspaper name, location of the source newspaper, an abbreviated version of the obituary text, full name, and the newspaper date. Click on the View Obituary link to read the full text of the obituary, if it is available.
Note there are two links, one if you are in or outside of the library. Please click on the appropriate link to access this database.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voters Lists
- Craighead, Sandra G. "1867 Voters List," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb. Abstract of the Franklin Review Appeal, 14 June 1867; includes white and black voters.
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.
- 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.
- Friends of Oak Grove: Family History Library has volumes 2 and 3. Volume 2 is entitled 'The Oak Grove Story.' "Genealogical information about ancestors of residents near the Oak Grove Cemetery, especially the ancestors of James Edwin Bradford." FHL US/CAN 976.856 D25f
- Williamson County Historical Journal: FHL US/CAN 976.856 B2w
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
The Williamson County Court has responsibility for the probate records. Many probate records are held by the Williamson County Archives.
Online Records and Indexes
- 1779-2008 Tennessee Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 at Ancestry $
- 1800-1963 Williamson County portion of Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; handwritten indexes may be found at the front or back of some volumes.
- 1800-1825 Will Book 1, 2 and 3 Strictly By Name - Index only
- 1801-1813; 1813-1818; 1818-1825 SourtheasternGenealogy.com Images of Wills ($)
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1825-1834 - Hays, [Mrs. Felix Burnard] and Hellen Davis Duke. Williamson County, Tennessee Will Book. 2 volumes. (No publication information.) These indexed books include only Will Books Volume 4 (1825-1830) and Volume 5 (1831-1834). (FHL book 976.856 P2h, v. 4-5.)
- 1838-1855 - Lynch, Louise Gillespie. Record Book, Letters of Administration. Franklin, Tennessee: Lynch, 1971. Indexed. (FHL book 976.856 P2LL.)
- Lynch, Louise Gillespie. Williamson County Tennessee Miscellaneous Records. 5 volumes. (Franklin, Tennessee: L.G. Lynch), 1973-1984. This indexed book includes court records, probate records, land and property records, and records pertaining to slaves. The range of dates varies by record. (FHL book 976.856 P2L v. 1-6.)
- 1800-1818- -Lynch, Louise Gillespie. Williamson County, Tennessee: Wills and Inventories, Book I & II, 1800-1818. Greenville, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1992. Indexed. (FHL book 976.856 P2LLg.)
- 1800-1861 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Williamson County, Tennessee, Wills and Administrations 1800 to 1861: An Index. Nashville, Tennessee: B. Sistler, 1989. (FHL book 976.856 P22s.)
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Original tax records for Williamson County
- 1800-1963 - Williamson County Tax Records, 1800-1963. Nashville: TSLA.Manuscript. On 43 microfilm reels FHL 456076
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1789 Cumberland Settlements, Tax List, 1789, The Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Fall 1990). For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
- 1800-1813, 1809 - Sherrill, Charles A. The Reconstructed 1810 Census of Tennessee: 33,000 Long-lost Records from Tax Lists, Court Minutes, Church Records, Wills, Deeds and Other Sources. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.: C.A. Sherrill, 2001. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1810. Cites Williamson County Tax Receipts 1809 and Lynch's publication as sources.
- 1800-1813 - Lynch, Louis G. Tax Book 1, Williamson County, Tennessee, 1800-1813. Franklin, Tenn.: Louise Gillespie Lynch, 1971. FHL 976.856 R4w
- 1801, 1806, 1810, 1815 Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists. Evanston, Ill.: B. & B. Sistler, 1977. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4s. Includes 1801, 1806, 1810, and 1815 tax lists.
- 1805 - O'Hara, Virginia. "Williamson County, Tennessee Tax List-1805," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jan. 1962):26-27; Vol. 9, No. 2 (April 1962):65-69; Vol. 9, No. 3 (July 1962):88-91. For FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
- 1809 Williamson County. Tax Receipts, 1809. TSLA, Record Group 37, Miscellaneous County Records, Box 5, Folder 32.
- 1814 - "Direct Federal Tax-Delinquent Property Owners Listed for 1814," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 43, No. 3 (Fall 1996):115-120. For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals. Includes Williamson County.
- 1816 Tax List, 1816, Genealogical Reference Builders Newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Aug. 1971).
- 1817 "U.S. Holds 1817 Public Sale of Federal Tax-Delinquent Properties in Tennessee," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Summer 1996):63-68. For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals. Includes Williamson County.
- 1860 Slave Holders in 1860 Tax Book, Williamson County Historical Society Journal, Issue 31 (2000).
- 1867 Craighead, Sandra G. "1867 Voters List," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb. Abstract of the Franklin ReviewAppeal, 14 June 1867; includes white and black voters.
- 1871 Property Tax, 1871, Williamson County Historical Society Journal, Issue 31 (2000).
An interesting article about social class in nineteenth-century Williamson County, based on tax records, was published in 1996:
- Wealth in 19th Century, Tax Records, 1837-70, Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy & History, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Winter 1996). For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Periodicals.
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 $
- 1881-1882 - Williamson County Birth Index 1881-1882 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C519845 [15]
- 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 - 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
- 1800-1850 - Williamson County, Tennessee marriage records, 1800-1850.. Digital Book
- 1838-1888 - Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1827-1895 - Williamson County Marriage Index 1827-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1851-1879 - Williamson County, Tennessee marriage records, 1851-1879. Digital Book
- 1851-1900 - Tennessee Marriages 1851-1900 at Ancestry $
- 1980-2014 - Marriage Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1783-1870 - 35,000 Tennessee Marriage Records and Bonds 1783-1870. 3 vols. FHL Book 976.8 V2t Includes names of brides, grooms, bondsmen, marriage bond dates, and officiators for this county.
- 1800-1837 - Early Middle Tennessee Marriages. 2 vols. Nashville, Tenn.: B. Sistler & Associates, 1988. FHL 976.8 V2sb v. 2 Indexes of brides, grooms, marriage or marriage bond dates for this county for specified years.
- 1804-1850 - Marriages of Williamson County, Tennessee, 1804-1850. FH Book 976.856 V2w
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1874-1955 - Tennessee Deaths and Burials 1874-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1908-1933 - Tennessee Deaths, 1908 - 1933 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1908-1958 - Tennessee Death Records 1908-1958 at Ancestry $
- 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
Online Titles
- W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Books Online
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Williamson County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
- Williamson County Archives
P.O. Box 1006
Franklin, TN 37065-1006
Phone: 615-790-5462
Website
Located at the Old Library at Five Points in downtown Franklin at Highway 431 and Highway 31
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
- Columbia Tennessee Family History Center
- Franklin Tennessee Family History Center
- Murfreesboro Tennessee Family History Center
- Nashville Tennessee Family History Center
- Smyrna Tennessee Family History Center
- Brentwood Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Spring Hill Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Tennessee State Library and Archives - an affiliate library.
- Williamson County Public Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Williamson County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Williamson County Public Library
1314 Columbia Avenue
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615-595-1243
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Williamson County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.
Heritage Foundation of Williamson County
P.O. Box 723
Franklin, TN 37065
Phone: 615-591-8500
Email: info@williamsonheritage.org
Website
Williamson County Historical Society
P.O. Box 71
Franklin, TN 37065
Email: rwarwick@historicfranklin.com
Website
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Williamson County has two active chapters of the Tennessee SCV:
- Sam Davis Camp no. 1293 of Brentwood, Tennessee
- Captain E.D. Baxter Camp no. 2034 of Fairview, Tennessee
Websites[edit | edit source]
|
- Cumberland Pioneer Settlers Cumberland Compact Signers, Pioneer Land Grant Recipients, Publication Descriptions, Free Book Indexes
- Rootwalker: Genealogy Pages for Northern Middle TN Free Genealogy Resources for the Region
- Williamson County, TN Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Williamson County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
- Williamson County TN Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- 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.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Williamson County, courtesy: TSLA. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)
- "Searching for Williamson County Ancestors," The Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. 7, No. 2 (Fall 1993). For possible FHL and online access, as well as indexes, see Williamson.
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, "Williamson, Tennessee" in Wikipedia accessed 09 Jan 2019
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Founding of the Cumberland Settlements: The First Atlas 1779-1804.
- ↑ "Hugh Williamson," Wikipedia.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at Media:Igitennessees.pdf.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ J. Mark Lowe, "The Land Grant Processes of North Carolina and Tennessee," Lecture, Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, Knoxville, Tenn., August 21, 2010.
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at PDF.