Claiborne County, Tennessee Genealogy

United States   Tennessee    Claiborne County





East Tennessee county established in 1801.

County Courthouse
Claiborne County Courthouse P.O. Box 173 1740 Main St. Tazewell, Tennessee 37879 Phone: 423-626-3283

County Clerk has marriage and probate records Register of Deeds has land records Clerk of Circuit Court has court records

Hours: Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm Saturday 8:30 am - noon

History


The county is named after Governor of Louisiana and Governor of Mississippi Territory William C. C. Claiborne (c1775-1817).

Parent County
1801--Claiborne County was created 29 October 1801 from Grainger and Hawkins Counties. County seat: Tazewell

Record Loss
1863 and 1931 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.

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


 * Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki
 * Michael John Neill, Burned Counties in Family History Circle

Neighboring Counties

 * Bell County, Kentucky
 * Campbell
 * Grainger
 * Hancock
 * Lee County, Virginia
 * Union
 * Whitley County, Kentucky

Research Guides

 * Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Claiborne 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.)

Cemeteries
For a list of Clairborne county cemeteries, click here.

Census
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population censuses of Claiborne 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.

1810 - Lost, but 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. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1810.

1820 - Lost

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


 * Claiborne County Historical Society. The People's History of Claiborne County, 1801-2005. 2 vols. n.p.: Walsworth Press, 1988-2005. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 H2ph ff.
 * Page, Bonnie M. Clearfork and More: History and Memories. Lake City, Tenn.: B.M. Page, 1986. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 D2p.
 * Stanis, Jeanne R. and P.G. Fulkerson. Every Name Index to "Early Settlers of Claiborne County" by P. G. Fulkerson: as Published in the Tazewell-New Tazewell Observer. Western Springs, Ill.: J.R. Stanis, 1988. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 H2f index.
 * Wilson, Marshall A. Families of Norris Reservoir Area. Clinton, Tennessee: Pellissippi Genealogical and Historical Society, 1986. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8935 D2w.


 * Norris Dam on the Clinch River in Eastern Tennessee was a project of the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s. Nearly 3,000 families, totalling almost 14,000 persons, were required to vacate land that was to be inundated by the resulting reservoir. In connection with the removal of families and gravesites, Mr. Wilson, a TVA official, collected historical and genealogical information about Norris Valley residents; he presents information about 75 of those families, along with a brief chronology of the area. Each family record begins with the name of a father and the name of that man's father, con- tinuing through other ancestors of the direct male line back to the earliest one known. Families represented by ten or more male heads of household include Agee, Carden, Hatmaker, Irwin, Longmire, Miller, Rice, and Sharp.

Bibliography


 * [Boruff] Collins, Sonja. Boruff Family Research Data. Corryton, Tenn.: N.L. Collins, 199-?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B648c.
 * [Bowman] Bowman, Roy L. The Bowman (and Related) Families of Claiborne County, Tennessee. Clinton, Tenn.: Roy L. Bowman, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B684br.
 * [Buis] Buis. 198-?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B868bu.
 * [Cadle] Cadle, Jacqueline Walling. Descendants of David L. Cadle: The Pioneer of Lone Jack. Renton, Wash.: J. Cadle, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C114cj.
 * [Collingsworth] Marshall, Ellen Beatrice Crutchfield, Cleo Collingsworth Seals and O. Ruth. The Collingsworth Family. Ky.: n.p., 1978. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C691c.
 * [Davis] Davis--Hatfield--Parkey Family Bible Records, 1779-1919. Transcript, microfilmed in 1971. FHL US/CAN Film 855039 Item 4.
 * [Dobbs] Lessley, Ruth Hope Parker. Chesley Dobbs, 1749-1834. Typescript, Family Genealogies, Jeffersonville Township Public Library, Jeffersonville, Ind. FHL US/CAN Film 1428709.
 * [Dodson] Lehmann, Joy Deal. The Descendants of Elijah Dodson of Yamhill County, Oregon: Six Generations of Descendants Since His Arrival in Oregon Territory in 1847. Novato, Calif.: J. Lehmann, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D668Lj.
 * [Dunn] Dunn, Leon. The Searcher: A Long Walk Through Time and History: The Historical and Genealogical Facts about Francis and Joseph Dunn, and Their Families from Tennessee to Northwest Arkansas. Charleston, Ark.: L. Dunn, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D922s.
 * [Edmondson] Collins, Sonja. Edmondson Family Research Booklet, ca. 1796-1971. Corryton, Tenn.: S. Collins, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 7160.
 * [Francisco] Fletcher, Virginia Billingsley and Paul E. Fletcher. "Time and Tide": A Francisco Family History: The Ancestors and Descendants of Christopher Francisco and Halana Bowen of Southwest Virginia and Claiborne County, Tennessee. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: V.B. Fletcher, 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F847fv.
 * [Goin] Thurman, Dianne L. Stark. Goin and Variants: Family of Thomas Goin of Claiborne Co, TN., 1750, VA - 1838, TN. Wichita, Kansas: D.L.S. Thurman, 1996. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G561t.
 * [Grubb] Wanger, George F.P. and Grubb Family Association. Grubb Family Pedigree Charts. MSS., microfilmed in 1943. FHL US/CAN Film 117 Item 4.
 * [Hanson] Hanson, Ray. Some Irishmen, Some Germans, Some Finlanders and Our Hansons: A Compilation of Hanson Historical Information Concerning the Descendants of John Hanson and His Irish Wife - Immigrants to the American Colonies about 1728. Bloomington, Minn.: R. Hanson, [1996?]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H198har.
 * [Hunter] Hunter, Patricia Finn. Joseph Hunter Genealogy and His Jager Connection, 1650-2000: in Speedwell, Claiborne County, Tennessee; Cherokee Creek, Washington County, Tennessee; Rockingham County, Virginia; Frederick County, Maryland; Lancaster (now York) County, Pennsylvania; Basal-Land, Switzerland. Knoxville, Tenn.: P.F. Hunter, 2000. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H917hp.
 * [Hurst] Littell, Noble K. The Hurst Family: From the Archives. Newsclipping, Family Files, Morgan County Public Library, Martinsville, Ind. FHL US/CAN Film 1502553 Item 51.
 * [Hurst] Branch, Virginia. The Hurst Nation: A Family History. Paragould, Ark.: V. Branch, [1987-1991?]. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H943b ff.
 * [Hurst] Lee, Li Ann Harper. Descendants of John C. Harper and Sarah Hurst. Layton, Utah: L.A.H. Lee, 2006. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H232L; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Johnson] Hunt, Evelyn Hatfield. My Mother's Family in America, 1776-2000. n.p.: E.H. Hunt, 2000. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 J63heh.
 * [Johnston] Scott, B.D. Johnston - Southern of Claiborne County, Tennessee and Parker County, Texas: Isaac McNew Johnston (1838-1929) and Allied Families: Amis, Haynes, Huddleston, Seabolt, Southern, and Spears. Maryville, Mo.: B.D. Scott, 1996. FHL US/CAN Film 1598396 Item 1.
 * [Keck] Cavanagh, Lulu. The Keck Family. MSS., microfilmed in 1975, FHL US/CAN Film 928041 Item 44.
 * [Keck] Fletcher, Virginia Billingsley. "Down in the Barns" - The Kecks of Claiborne County, Tennessee: The Ancestors and Descendants of John "Guider" Keck and His Wife, Rebecca A. Yadon. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 1983. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 K234f; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Keck] Fletcher, Virginia Billingsley and Homer Craft Keck. More Kecks of Claiborne County, Tennessee: William, Henry, and Matthew Kerk, Son of John Keck Sr. and Anna Ousley: and Jacob Sowder, Soldier at Valley Forge, and His Descendants thru Adam Sowder, Who Married Anna Dunn. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: V.B. Fletcher, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 K234fa.
 * [Linch] Linch, Ray Hanford. Linch/Lynch Lineage and Family History. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: R.H. Linch, 1993. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 L634Lr.
 * [McAnally] McAnally, Thomas S. The McAnallys: Descendants of Hamilton and Winfred. Nashville, Tenn.: T. McAnally, 1988. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M118mt.
 * [McBee] McBee: Family Bible Records Transcript, 1797-1929. Transcript; FHL US/CAN Film 1307616 Item 59.
 * [Miller] Stirbys, Theresa Miller. Martin Miller Families, 1753-1987. Huntsville, Ala.: T.M. Stirbys, 198-. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 M612st.
 * [Owsley] Bodine, Ronny O. John Owsley. 2 vols. Fort George G. Meade, Md.: R.O. Bodine, 1989-1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ow6b ff.
 * [Perry] Robbins, Kevin and Genevieve Perry Barham. Descendants of Nathan Perry and Rebecca Yarbrough. Countryside, Ill.: K. Robbins, 1984. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 4572.
 * [Ritchie] Stone, Hazel Ritchie. James Ritchie 1806-1850, Claiborne Co., Tenn. &amp; Virginia. 1963. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 1165.
 * [Shultz] Reagan, Donald B. Smoky Mountain Clans. 3 vols. Knoxville, Tenn.: D.B. Reagan, 1978-1983. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273R22b 1978. [The Shultz family is discussed in Vol. 2.]
 * [Shumate] Ledgerwood, Marian Carter. Descendants of Mark Shumate of Claiborne County, Tennessee. Houston, Texas: M.C. Ledgerwood, 1985. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sh92Lm.
 * [Smith] Collins, Sonja. Elisha Smith and Family, 1814-1979. n.p.: S.J.S. Collins, 1979. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sm55cs.
 * [Southern] Scott, B.D. Robert Southern, 1780-1837 of Claiborne County, Tennessee: and His Wife, Nancy Neil Including Collateral and Allied Families. Decorah, Iowa: Anundsen, 1996. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 So88s. [Primitive Baptist Minister]
 * [Southern] Padgett, Wilma Lawson. Early Virginia Settlers: Blackard, DeHart, Hubbard, Hurst, Lawson, Shelor, Southern, Thompson, Turner. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 2001. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B561pw.
 * [Sowder] Fletcher, Virginia Billingsley and Homer Craft Keck. More Kecks of Claiborne County, Tennessee: William, Henry, and Matthew Kerk, Son of John Keck Sr. and Anna Ousley: and Jacob Sowder, Soldier at Valley Forge, and His Descendants thru Adam Sowder, Who Married Anna Dunn. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: V.B. Fletcher, 1992. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 K234fa.
 * [Treece] Treece, Margaret and Mary Lou Treece. The Ancestors and Descendants of Jefferson Treece: Claiborne County, Tennessee. 2009. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 T714t.
 * [Ward] Edgerly, Dorthea Roach and Raymond Henry Edgerly. John Murphy Ward of Harlan County, Kentucky. Oceanside, Calif.: D. Edgerly, 1999. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W213j; digital version at BYU Family History Archives.
 * [Widener] Crump, Shirley Widener, Les Widener, and Ada Widener. Rough Notes on Widener Genealogy: [Descendants of David Widener and Nancy Mock]. Raleigh, N.C.: S.W. Crump, 198-. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W633c.
 * [Wilson] Wilson: Family Bible Records, 1817-1913; and Other Family Genealogical Data, 1793-1981. MSS., FHL US/CAN Film 1033990 Item 43.

Land
The original Claiborne County Deed Books are held at the County Courthouse. The Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed Deed Books A to Z2 (1801-1895) and the Index (1801-1910). Copies of their microfilms are also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Films 898403-898416.


 * Willis, Laura and Betty Sellers. Claiborne County, Tenn. Deeds. Melber, KY: Simmons Historical, 1997-1998. Three volumes. v. 1. 1802-1806 -- v. 2. 1806-1810 -- v. 3. 1803-1808. Available at FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 R29w. Digital version of volume 2 is available at World Vital Records ($). All three volumes 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.

Local Histories

 * Holt, Edgar A. and Joy Bailey Dunn. Claiborne County. Memphis, Tenn.: Memphis State University Press, 1981. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 H2h.

Occupations

 * Miller, Alan N. East Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1778 to 1911. Baltimore, Md.: Printed for Clearfield Company, Inc., by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2000. FHL US/CAN 976.8 U2m. Digital version at World Vital Records ($). Purchase at Genealogical.com. [Includes Claiborne County.]
 * Tennesse Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines. Coal Mines and Mining--Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee: A.B. Travel, 1883. Free digital copy.

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 records of Claiborne County, Tennessee 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.

East Tennessee Roots

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Claiborne County, Tennessee records have been published in East Tennessee Roots (10 vols.). A subject index to these articles is available online. Surname indexes to Volumes 9 and 10 are also available online. The Family History Library has collected most issues of East Tennessee Roots FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 D25e.

Reflections

The Claiborne County Historical Society was founded in 1982 and publishes a quarterly entitled "Reflections." The Family History Library has current volumes beginning with Volume 5. For further information see website: Claiborne County Historical and Genealogical Society. Reflections is indexed in the PERiodical Source Index (PERSI).

The Pellissippian

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Claiborne County, Tennessee records were published in the The Pellissippian (25 vols., 1980-2004), the quarterly of the Pellissippi Genealogical and Historical Society. The society has posted tables of contents for all 25 volumes on their website. They also have back issues available for purchase. The Family History Library has acquired the first 20 volumes FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 D25p.

Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin

Genealogical articles with abstracts of Claiborne County, Tennessee records have been published in the Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin (39+ vols., 1972-present), the journal of the Watauga Association of Genealogists. The organization has posted tables of contents for most volumes on their website. Back issues are available for purchase. The Family History Library has a complete collection FHL US/CAN Books 976.897 B2w, including Margaret W. Hougland and Betty Jane Hylton's Bulletin Subject Index: The First Thirty Years, 1972-2001 (Johnson City, Tenn.: Watauga Association of Genealogists, 2002) FHL US/CAN Book 976.897 B2w index 1972-2001.

Prisons
Learn if your Claiborne 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 Claiborne County probate records. They offer a research service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:
 * 1) Inventories and Settlements of Estates, Wills: Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions: 1812-1814


 * Claiborne County, Tennessee, Bonds and Letters of Administration, December 1878 - August 1921. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. s.d. Available at World Vital Records ($). Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.
 * Claiborne County Will Books Vol. 1-1848-1851. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. s.d. Available at World Vital Records ($). Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.
 * Claiborne County Will Books Vol. 2-1851-1855. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. s.d. Available at World Vital Records ($). Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.
 * Claiborne County Will Books Vol. 3-1855-1865. Kentucky: Simmons Historical Publications. s.d. Available at World Vital Records ($). Available for purchase at Simmons Historical Publications.

Taxation
The original Claiborne County Tax Books covering the years 1850 to 1900 (gaps) were microfilmed by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. A copy of their film is also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 898419.

The following Claiborne County tax records have been abstracted:


 * [1803] Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists. Evanston, Ill.: B. &amp; B. Sistler, 1977. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4s. [Includes 1803 tax list.]
 * [1803] Curtis, Mary Barnett. Early East Tennessee Tax Lists. Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing Company, 1964. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4c. [Includes 1803 petition.]
 * [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 Claiborne County.]
 * [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 Claiborne County.]
 * [1836] Douthat, James L. Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1836 Tennessee Civil District and Tax List. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1993. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 R4d.
 * [1839] Lemasters, Paul W. and Claiborne County Historical Society. Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1839 Tax List. n.p.: Claiborne County Historical Society, 199-?. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 R48L.
 * [1857] District No. 10, 1857, Pathways. Maynardville TN: Sep 2002. Vol. 21 Iss. 3.

Transportation

 * Stage Book Belonging to Harman Roberts, Sr., Claiborne Co., Tennessee, 1846-1848. MSS.; FHL US/CAN Film 898421.

Vital Records
Death


 * Wiefering, Edna and Cleveland Public Library. Claiborne County, Tennessee, Vital Statistics, 1914 through 1925. Cleveland, Tenn.: Cleveland Public Library, 1993. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8944 V2w.

For deaths of Methodists in Claiborne 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.]

Societies and Libraries
Claiborne County Historical Society P.O. Box 32 Tazewell, TN 37879 Telephone: (423) 526-5737 Also found at

Family History Centers
Cumberland Gap Tennessee 2063 Highway 63 Arthur, Claiborne, Tennessee, United States Telephone: 423-869-2481 Hours: By appt These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Web Sites

 * Claiborne County, TN Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Claiborne County, TN Genealogy Forum (GenForum
 * Claiborne County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
 * Family History Library Catalog (FamilySearch)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: TNCLAIBO-L (Claiborne County, Tennessee List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: ETN-L (East Tennessee List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: ETN-OZ-L (East Tennessee Migrants to Ozarks Region List)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: UPPEREASTTN-L (Upper East Tennessee List)