Anderson County, Tennessee Genealogy


 * This article is about a middle Tennessee county. For other uses, see Anderson.

United States   Tennessee    Anderson County





East Tennessee county established in 1801.

County Courthouse
Anderson County Courthouse 100 North Main St. Clinton, Tennessee 37716 Phone: 865-457-5400

Anderson County Clerk Marriage and Probate Records 100N. Main St. Room 111 Phone: 865-457-6228

Anderson County Register of Deeds Land Records 100 North Main St. Room 205 Clinton, TN 37716 Phone: 865-457-6236

Anderson County Clerk of Circuit Court Court Records 100 N. Main St. Clinton, TN 37716 Phone: 865-463-6820

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

History


The county is named after Tennessee Senator Joseph Anderson (1757-1837).

Parent County
1801--Anderson County was created 6 November 1801 from Knox and Grainger Counties. County seat: Clinton

Record Loss
The two earliest federal censuses (1810 and 1820) do not survive.

Populated Places
Cities and Towns:

Research Guides

 * Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Anderson 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 Anderson County cemeteries, click here.

Anderson Co. TN Cemetery Records, part of the TNGenWeb Cemetery Database, lists many cemeteries in Anderson County, often with indexes and transcripts of the burials.

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

1800 - Lost, but a substitute is available, see Taxation.

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

1830


 * Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.

Court
Court records began in 1801.

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


 * Pellissippi Genealogical and Historical Society. Tennessee 200: Bicentennial History of Anderson County, 1796-1996. Jacksboro, Tenn.: Action Printing, 1997. FHL US/CAN Book 976.873 H2t.
 * 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


 * [Boyd] Bradford, Carol Hall. The Boyd Family History: The Descendants of John Boyd and Mary Elizabeth Leath, from Anderson County to Putnam County, TN. Cokeville, Tenn.: C.H. Bradford, 2003. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B692bch.
 * [Brummet] Brumit, Joseph L. Genealogical Extracts from Thomas Brummet (Brummitt/Brummett) U.S. Revolutionary War Service Pension Record R1368. Typescript, FHL US/CAN Film 1425298 Item 20.
 * [Chiles] Roberts, Pauline H. Outline of the Chiles Families Including Roland and Amelia Frost Chiles in Anderson and Nearby Counties, Tn. [Oliver Springs, Tenn.]: P. Roberts, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C437r.
 * [Cox] Roberts, Snyder E. Descendants of John Cox, 1758 Va. to 1814 Tn.: Revolutionary War Pensioner in Roane &amp; Anderson County, Tennessee. [Oak Ridge, Tenn.]: S. Roberts, 1988. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C839rs.
 * [Crass] Roberts, Pauline H. The Crass Families of Roane and Loudon Counties, Tennessee. Oliver Springs, Tenn.: P.H. Roberts, 1979. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C854r.
 * [Cross] Roberts, Snyder E. Descendants of Brittain Cross, 1776-1825 and Their Places in Anderson County History. [Oak Ridge, Tenn.]: S. Roberts, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C884r.
 * [Curnutt] Greenwood, Mary M. The Descendants of Callaway Curnutt: Anderson County, Tennessee. Terre Haute, Ind.: M. Greenwood, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C934g.
 * [Daugherty] Roberts, Snyder E. A Study of the Daugherty Families in Anderson and Surrounding Counties, Tennessee. n.p.: S.E. Roberts, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D265r.
 * [Frost] Roberts, Snyder E. Descendants of Joseph Frost, Sr.: from Amherst, Bedford, &amp; Washington Counties, Va. to Anderson County, Tn. and Elsewhere. n.p.: S.E. Roberts, 1989. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F929r.
 * [Hudson] Roberts, Snyder E. Descendants of Thomas Hudson, 1792-1877 in Anderson, Roane and Morgan Counties: and Associated Families. [Oak Ridge, Tenn.]: S. Roberts, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 8022.
 * [Jones] Roberts, Snyder E. Genealogical Work Papers on Three Prominent Jones Families of Anderson &amp; Roane Counties, TN. n.p.: S.E. Roberts, 1987. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 7364.
 * [Lee] Rowsey, Mrs. William E. et al. Indexes of Deeds--Lee, Lea, Lay, Leigh--from Counties of Tenn., Va., N. C. Muskogee, Oklahoma: Mrs. W.E. Rowsey Jr., 1982. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 L51rw.
 * [Portwood] Duermyer, Louis Ansel. Notes on the family of Page and Ann Portwood. Wilmington, Del.: Unknown, 1949. Available at FHL US/CAN Film 873447 Item 3; and online at Heritage Quest Online ($).
 * [Ridenour] Ridenour, James. The Ridenour Families of Union County, Tennessee, 1850-1930. Maynardville, Tenn.: Union County Historical Society (Tennessee), [2004?]. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8935 D2r.
 * [Seiber] Roberts, Snyder E. Descendants of Phillip Seiber, 1765-1845: in the Anderson County, Tennessee Area. [Oak Ridge, Tenn.]: S. Roberts, 1986. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Se41r.
 * [Webster] Roberts, Snyder E. Webster Families of Roane &amp; Anderson Counties, Tennessee. [Oak Ridge, Tenn.]: S. Roberts, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 8006.

Land
Land records began in 1802. The original Anderson County Deed Books are held at the County Courthouse. The Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed Deed Books A to LZ (1802-1893) and Trust Deed Books 1 to 2 (1882-1892) in the 1970s. Copies of their microfilms are also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Films 979338-979355.

The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Anderson County land records. They offer a research service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Here are the indexes:


 * 1) Deed Book K: 1827-1842

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 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.

Naturalizations

 * Hutton, Edith Wilson. Anderson County, Tennessee: Divorces and Naturalizations, 1844 through 1920. Knoxville, Tenn.: E.W. Hutton, 1992. FHL US/CAN Book 976.873 V2hewi.

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 Anderson 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 Anderson 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.

East Tennessee Roots

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Anderson 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.

The Pellissippian

Several genealogical articles with abstracts of Anderson 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 Anderson 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.

Petitions

 * Curtis, Mary Barnett. Petitions of Anderson County, Tennessee. Fort Worth, Texas: American Reference Publishing Company, 197-?. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 A1 no. 35.

Prisons
Learn if your Anderson 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
Probate records began in 1827.

Taxation
The original Anderson County Tax Books 1838-1842, 1855-1865 and the Railroad Tax Book 1859-1865 are held at the County Courthouse. In the 1970s, the Tennessee State Library and Archives microfilmed these records. A copy of their film is also available at the Family History Library: FHL US/CAN Film 979356 Items 1-3.


 * [1801] Creekmore, Pollyanna. Early East Tennessee Taxpayers. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1980. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp and Silas Emmett Lucas's Revised Index FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4cp index. [Includes 1801 tax list.]
 * [1802] 1802 Tax List of Anderson Co., Tn. 198-?. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 A1 no. 92.
 * [1802] Petracek, Ruth. "Early Records of Anderson Co., Tennessee: 1802 Tax Record," The Mountain Empire Genealogical Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Fall 1983):158-160. FHL US/CAN Book 975 D25m v. 2 (1983).
 * [1802, 1805] Curtis, Mary Barnett. Early East Tennessee Tax Lists. Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing Company, 1964. FHL US/CAN Book 976.8 R4c. [Includes 1802 and 1805 tax lists.]
 * [1805] 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 1805 tax list.]
 * [1806] Tax List, 1806, Watauga Association of Genealogists Bulletin. Johnson City TN: 1976. Vol. 5 Iss. 1-2.
 * [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 Anderson County.]
 * [1836] Douthat, James L. Anderson County, 1836, Tennessee Civil Districts and Tax Lists. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 1993. FHL US/CAN Book 976.873 R4d.
 * [1837] Tax List Excerpt, 1837, Scott County Historical Society Newsletter. Huntsville TN: Summer 1993. Vol. 10 Iss. 4.
 * [1893] Notice to Delinquent Taxpayers, 1893, Pellissippian. Clinton TN: Jan 2007. Vol. 28 Iss. 1.

Vital Records
Birth

Birth records began in 1881

Marriage

Marriage records began in 1838

Divorce


 * Hutton, Edith Wilson. Anderson County, Tennessee: Divorces and Naturalizations, 1844 through 1920. Knoxville, Tenn.: E.W. Hutton, 1992. FHL US/CAN Book 976.873 V2hewi.

Death

Death records began in 1891

For deaths of Methodists in Anderson 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 includes additional records covering the 1830s, 1840s, 1910s and 1920s.]

Societies and Libraries
Pellissippi Genealogical Society 118 Hicks Street Clinton, TN 37716

Family History Centers
Clinch River Tennessee 111 Executive Park Dr Clinton, Anderson, Tennessee, United States Telephone: 865-494-8170 Hours: Sunday 9am-10am, 1pm-2pm, Wednesday7-9pm

Oak Ridge Tennessee 140 S Jefferson Circle Oak Ridge Anderson, Tennessee, United States Telephone: 865-483-6401 Hours: Wed 9 am-1pm, 6pm-8pm These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Web Sites

 * Anderson County, TN Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Anderson County, TN Genealogy Forum (GenForum)
 * Family History Library Catalog (FamilySearch)
 * RootsWeb Mailing List: TNANDERS-L (Anderson 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)