Weakley County, Tennessee Genealogy

United States   Tennessee    Weakley County





West Tennessee county. Established 1823.

County Courthouse


Weakley County Courthouse Dresden, TN 38225 Phone: 731-364-2285

Weakley County Clerk Marriage and probate records 116 W. Main Street, Room 104 P.O. Box 587 Dresden, TN 38225 Phone: 731-364-2285

Weakley County Register of Deeds Land records 116 W. Main Street, Room 102 P.O. Box 45 Dresden, TN 38225 Phone: 731-364-3646

Weakley County Circuit Court Clerk Court records 116 West Main Street Dresden, TN 38225 Phone: 731-364-3455

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm

History
The county is named after Robert Weakley (1764-1845), Tennessee representative in the House of Representatives and later Tennessee Senator.

Parent County
1823--Weakley County was established 21 October 1823 from Chickasaw Indian Lands. County seat: Dresden

Record Loss
1948--Fire damaged records


 * Lost census: 1890
 * Lack of marriage records: 1825 to 1842
 * Lost probate records: 1825 to 1827

For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:


 * Arlene Eakle, When the Records are Gone in Tennessee Genealogy Blog
 * Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki
 * Michael John Neill, Burned Counties in Family History Circle

Populated Places
Cities: Greenfield

Towns: Dresden, Gleason, Martin, Sharon

Other places:

Research Guides

 * Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Weakley County, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)

Census
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population censuses of Weakley 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, these indexes are often more accurate than those available online.

See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes

1850


 * Porch, Deane Weakley County, Tennessee 1850 census Fort Worth, Texas : Miran Publishers, [197-?] FHL US/CAN book 976.824 X2

1870


 * Schrupp, MaryCarol Drewry Catron 1870 U.S. census and more, Weakley County, Tennessee : transcribed from Microcopy 593, Vol. 31, Roll 1570, National Archives and Records Service Memphis, Tennessee : Kinfolks Press, c2001 FHL US/CAN book 976.824 X2

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. 2 1891. [Weakley County is included in Vol. 3.]
 * 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.

Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LDS Pioneers from Weakley County include:


 * Randolph Alexander (1802-1879) who married Myrza Nix Alexander there in 1830 and later settled in Utah.
 * Catherine Ellen (Camp) Greer (1837-1929), who was born there and married in Salt Lake City in 1855.

Family Histories
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:


 * Locate publications about direct ancestors
 * Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
 * Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]

General


 * Vaughan, Virginia C. History and Families, Weakley County, Tennessee, 1823-1998. Paducah, Ky.: Turner Pub. Co., 1999. FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 H2vv.

Bibliography


 * [Alexander] Bartholomew, Jewel A. Randolph and Myrza Nix Alexander: Early Pioneers of Utah. Orem, Utah: J.A. Bartholomew, 1997, 1999. Digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Alexander] Martin, James D. The Story of Milo Andrus: With a Brief History of His Wives and Pioneer Children. Ogden, Utah: J.D. Martin, 2000. FHL FAM HIST Book 921.73 An29m.
 * [Barger] Smith, Gordon Edward. Barger: Family Records of the Barger's of Weakley County, Tennessee. Florence, Ala.: G.E. Smith, 1984. FHL US/CAN Film 1307616 Item 41.
 * [Brown] Brown, Garry S. The Descendants of Charles Brown of Weakley County, Tennessee. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Garry S. Brown, 2007. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B812bga.
 * [Buckley] Buckley, Shirley Gray. The Buckley Family Genealogy: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of James Buckley. Martin, Tenn.: S.G. Buckley, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B856bs.
 * [Caldwell] Origin and History of the Name of Caldwell: with Biographies of All the Most Noted Persons of that Name: and an Account of the Origin of Surnames and Forenames Together with Men and Women and Their Significance: The Crescent Family Record. Chicago, Ill.: American Publishers' Association, 1906, page 45. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Caldwell] Green, Charles R. The Isaac Haskins Family History and Genealogy. Olathe, Kansas: Printed by the Register Pub. Co., 1911, page 45. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Camp] Rhoton, Jo. The Greer Trail. West Point, Utah: J. Rhoton, 2001. FHL US/CAN Film 1573646 Item 5.
 * [Cantrell] Whitley, Edythe Johns Rucker. Cantrell-Potter-Magness: Ancestry of Alvin Edward Potter, Sr. Nashville, Tenn.: n.p., 1938, page 17. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Clark] Gilbert, Thomas Graves. Francis Clark of Louisa County, Virginia: and His Descendants in Carroll County, Tennessee: Family Members of Michael Clark of England and Barbados and His Son Francis Clark of Louisa County, Virginia, the Migration of His Sons to Anson County, North Carolina and Descendants to Henry Weakley and Carroll Counties of Tennessee. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 2004. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C547gt.
 * [Clayton] Clayton, Claud Franklin. Family Notes and Recollections. Knoxville, Tenn.: n.p., 1959. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C579cfc.
 * [Collier] Boaz, T.D. The Family of R.H. Boaz: A Record of the Descendants of Richard Harris Boaz (1845-1918). McLean, Va.: n.p., 1973, page 24. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Craig] Craig, Marion Stark. John Craig and Some Descendants, 1773-1976. Little Rock, Ark.: n.p., 1967. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Dickson] Dickson, Joseph Lawrence. The Journal of Joseph Lawrence Dickson. Fayetteville, Ark.: Washington County Historical Society, 1956. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Dudley] Stephens, Robert W. Life and Family of Charles Holland. Dallas, Texas: n.p., 1961, page 7. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Edmonston] Johnston, Henry Poellnitz. Pioneers in Their Own Right. Birmingham, Ala.: Featon Press, 1964, pages 23-24. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Francis] Boaz, Thurmond DeWitte and Roberta McDaniel Ellis. Mary Ann (Boaz) Francis (1798-1860) and Her Descendants. McLean, Va.: T.D. Boaz, Jr., 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F847b.
 * [Gatewood] Mosley, Lillian Gatewood. Sweet Memories. Dresden?, Tenn.: L.G. Mosley, 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G223m.
 * [Glasgow] Faulkner, Mava Yoachum. The Yoachums "And So the Story Goes." Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: M.Y. Faulkner, 1984?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Y71fm.
 * [Julien] Craig, Marion Stark. John Craig and Some Descendants, 1773-1976. Little Rock, Ark.: n.p., 1967. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Pointer] Robinson, R.D. [Genealogies and Bible Records Gathered by the Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1976-1977]. Ill.: The Society, 1977, pages 204, 221. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Roberts] Roberts, Raiford Ashley. Genealogy Notes and Research, ca. 1600-1980. MSS., Midland Genealogical Society. FHL US/CAN Film 1697529 Item 3-1697530 Item 1.
 * [Roberts] Roberts: Transcript of Bible Records, 1876-1949. Typescript, microfilmed in 1977. FHL US/CAN Film 982434 Item 26.
 * [Slemons] Riedel, Julia Slemons. Brigadier General William F. Slemons, C.S.A.: His Ancestors and Descendants. Kansas City, Missouri: J. Riedel, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 SL26r.
 * [Tipton] Tipton, Dean. Tipton, Luke. Seal Beach, Calif.: n.p., 1964, page 15. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [White] Johnston, Henry Poellnitz. Pioneers in Their Own Right. Birmingham, Ala.: Featon Press, 1964. Digital version at Heritage Quest Online ($).

Land

 * Willis, Laura. Weakley County, Tennessee, Register Survey Books, Volume 2 [1784-1857]. Melber, KY: Simmons Historical, 1996. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 R29w. Digital version available at World Vital Records ($). Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.

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 Tennessee State Library and Archives 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 Tennessee State Library and Archives; another version is available at World Vital Records.

Maps

 * Vowell, Mary K. and Daughters of the American Colonists. Isaac Dawson Chapter. Neighbors in Weakley County, Tennessee, a Land Ownership Map, 1827-1833: Compiled from Weakley County, Tennessee's Occupant Entry Book. Oak Ridge, Tenn.: High Tech Print, 1985. FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 R2v.

Military
Civil War

Lynn, H.M. ''H.M. Lynn Papers, 1858-1882. ''Southern Historical Collection, Manuscripts Dept., Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Free digital copy. 9th Tennessee Regiment, Company C.

Newspapers

 * Campus Chatter: An Alumni Newsletter of The University of Tennessee Junior College, 1943-1946
 * The Dresden Enterprise, Weakley County, Tennessee, Volume 13. Covers from 1 Sep 1904 to 16 Dec 1904. Digital version available at World Vital Records ($).
 * Willis, Laura Willis and Betty Sellers. Weakley County, Tennessee, Newspaper Abstracts. Melber, KY: Simmons Historical Pub., 1998. 12 volumes. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 B3w. Digital versions of selected volumes 1-10 are available at World Vital Records ($): Volume 1; Volume 2; Volume 3; Volume 5; Volume 6; Volume 7; Volume 8; Volume 9; and Volume 10. Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.

Occupations

 * Miller, Alan N. West Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1821 to 1889. Baltimore, Md.: Printed for Clearfield Company, Inc., by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2006. FHL US/CAN 976.8 U2man. Purchase at Genealogical.com. [Includes Weakley County.]

Periodicals
Tap into the minds of local experts. Editors of genealogical periodicals publish unique sources that researchers who are new to their area would not likely discover. This type of material may be found in local, regional, or statewide genealogical society journals. The following periodicals cover this county:

Ansearchin' News

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Weakley County, Tennessee records have been published in Ansearchin' News, the quarterly magazine of the Tennessee Genealogical Society. To view a list of these articles, visit their county index. To read digitized versions of the first 36 years of articles (Vols. 1-36), browse their archive or conduct a surname search. The Family History Library has a complete collection of the Ansearchin' News quarterly FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a.

Family Findings

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Weakley County, Tennessee records have been published in Family Findings, the quarterly of the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society (42+ vols.). The Family History Library has most issues of this quarterly FHL US/CAN 976.8 B2f.

Tables of contents for some volumes are available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb Project:


 * Volumes 1-10 (1969-1978)
 * Volumes 11-20 (1979-1988)
 * Volumes 21-24 (1989-1992)
 * Volumes 32-35 (2000-2003)

Many articles from this publication have been reproduced on the TNGenWeb Project website, try this specialized Google search to retrieve them.

Forget Me Not

Publication of the Weakley County Genealogical Society. The Family History Library has a complete collection (1982-present): FHL US/CAN Books 976.824 B2f. Indexed in PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) For further information see website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnweakle/genealogical_society.htm

West Tennessee Historical Society Papers

Family History Library has Volumes 1 - 16 and 30 FHL US/CAN Book 976.81 B5w. The West Tennessee Historical Society Papers are indexed in PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) To view Table of Contents and complete articles from 1947 - 2005 see Shelby County Register of Deeds

Prisons
Learn if your Weakley County ancestors went to prison!


 * Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850, free index available online, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives.
 * Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870, free index available online, courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Probate
The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Weakley County probate records. They offer a record retrieval service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:


 * 1) Will Book A: 1830-1840
 * 2) Will Book B: 1841-1861

The following Weakley County probate records have been abstracted and/or indexed:


 * [1828-1861] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Tennessee Wills &amp; Administrations 1779-1861. Nashville, Tenn. Byron Sistler &amp; Associates, Inc., 1990. FHL US/CAN 976.8 P22s. [Includes an index to this county's probate records.]
 * [1828-1875] Willis, Laura. Weakley County, Tennessee Wills &amp; Administrations. Melber, Kentucky: Simmons Historical Pub., 1998, 2004. 4 volumes. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 P2w. Digital versions of selected volumes available at World Vital Records ($): Volume 1 1828-1853 and Volume 2 1851-1875.

Taxation
The original Weakley County Tax Books 1842-1874 are kept at the County Courthouse. In 1976, the Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed these records. Copies of their films are also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Films 1003115-1003116.

The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Weakley County tax records. They offer a record retrieval service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:


 * 1) 1828 Tax List

The following Weakley County tax records have been abstracted:


 * [1828] Tax List, 1828, Tennessee Researcher, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Sep. 1963); Vol. 2, No. 4 (Dec. 1963).
 * [1828-1832] Simmons, Don and Laura Willis. Weakley County Tax List 1828-1832. Melber, Ky.: Simmons Historical Pub., 1996. FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 R4w. Purchase at Simmons Historical Bookstore.
 * [1828] Weakley County 1828 Tax List, available online, courtesy: Strictly By Name.
 * [1889] Weakley County Tax List 1889. Purchase at Simmons Historical Bookstore.
 * [1890] Weakley County Tax List 1890. Purchase at Simmons Historical Bookstore.
 * [1890] Weakley County 1890 Tax List. Purchase at Simmons Historical Bookstore.

Vital Records
Birth


 * Willis, Laura. Weakley County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1908 - 1912. Melber, KY: Simmons Historical Pub., 1997. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 V2wL. Digital version available at World Vital Records. [Contains births and deaths. Includes surname index.]

Marriage

Marriages were not officially recorded in Weakley County until after 1838, when a law was passed mandating the practice. The following publication, based on early newspapers, helps to alleviate this genealogical obstacle:


 * Lucas, Silas Emmett. Marriages from Early Tennessee Newspapers 1794-1851. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1978. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 V2L.

The following Weakley County Courthouse marriage records have been abstracted and/or indexed:


 * [1838-1867] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Early West Tennessee Marriages. 2 vols. Nashville, Tenn.: B. Sistler &amp; Associates, 1989. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 V2sb v. 1 ff. [Indexes names of brides and grooms, and marriage or marriage bond dates for weddings in this county for the specified years.]
 * [1843-1886] Willis, Laura. Weakley County, Tennessee, Marriage Records [1843-1886]. Melber, Kentucky: Simmons-Historical, 1996, 2001. 5 volumes. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 V2wc. Simmons Historical Publications.
 * [1854-1865] Willis, Laura. Weakley County Marriage Books Vol. 2 1854-1865. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. Digital version available at World Vital Records. Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.
 * [1886-1893] Weakley County Marriage Books Vol. 6 1886-1893. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. Digital version available at World Vital Records. Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.
 * [1893-1898] Weakley County Marriage Books Vol. 7 1893-1898. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. Digital version available at World Vital Records. Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.

Death


 * Hays, Tony. West Tennessee Death Records [ca. 1823-1852]. 2 vols. n.p.: Kitchen Table Press, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 976.8 V2ht v. 1-2. [Weakley County is included in Vol. 1]
 * Willis, Laura. Weakley County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1908 - 1912. Melber, KY: Simmons Historical Pub., 1997. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.824 V2wL. Digital version available at World Vital Records. [Contains births and deaths. Includes surname index.]

For deaths of Methodists in Weakley 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.]

Web Sites

 * Family History Library Catalog (FamilySearch)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: TNWEAKLE-L (Weakley County, Tennessee List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: WEST-TNCHAT-L (West Tennessee Chat List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: WESTTN-L (West Tennessee List)
 * Weakley County, TN Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Weakley County, TN Genealogy Forum (GenForum)
 * Weakley County, TN USGenWeb