Tennessee Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of death records, 1914-1963; also death records of the years 1964, 1965, and 1966; and death certificates, 1951-1963 from the Tennessee Division of Vital Records.

Learn more ». The collection includes a general index (with some volumes individually indexed) and images. The state of Tennessee began recording deaths in 1914.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Death
 * Name and age of deceased and date of death
 * Gender, race and marital status of deceased
 * Date and place of birth
 * Town, county and state where death occurred
 * Name of hospital or institution where death occurred
 * Cause of death
 * Occupation and residence of deceased
 * Length of stay in current locality
 * Names of parents, including maiden name of mother
 * Burial information
 * Name of informant, usually a spouse or relative
 * Funeral Home

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of death
 * The place where the death occurred
 * The names of family members and their relationships

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s death record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Search for birth and marriage records
 * Look for the family in census records
 * Search for a cemetery record
 * Search the local newspapers for an obituary

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames
 * Check for a different index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Tennessee.
 * Tennessee Guided Research
 * Tennessee Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.