Chamblee Genealogy
Chamblee genealogy records are kept at the DeKalb County Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. Chamblee has been an incorporated city since 1907, and the area has been part of DeKalb County since 1842. All marriage licenses, wills, estate files, land deeds, and court records for Chamblee families are filed at the DeKalb County courthouse. County records date back to 1842, providing researchers with deep collections of family data for this area.
Chamblee Quick Facts
DeKalb County Probate Court
The DeKalb County Probate Court is the primary source for Chamblee genealogy records. Marriage licenses go back to 1842. Wills, estate inventories, guardianship files, and letters of administration are also at the court. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has jurisdiction over estates and marriages for all of DeKalb County.
The courthouse address is 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Call (404) 371-2836. You can visit in person or send mail requests with a search fee. The DeKalb County website has forms, fee details, and office hours for the Probate Court.
DeKalb County records date from 1842. That is over 180 years of marriage, probate, and estate records available for Chamblee genealogy research.
| Address | 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (404) 371-2836 |
| Website | dekalbcountyga.gov |
Land Records and Superior Court
Land deeds, divorce files, and civil case records for Chamblee are at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. Land records date back to 1842.
Chamblee grew along the railroad line in the late 1800s. Land records from that period show who owned property near the tracks and in the town center. Deed books can trace property transfers from one generation to the next. Plat maps show lot boundaries and list neighboring landowners. These records help place families in specific locations over time. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, court records are public and open to anyone.
Divorce records at the Superior Court list children, property, and sometimes ages or birth dates. They are a useful secondary source when tracing Chamblee family lines.
DeKalb History Center
The DeKalb History Center in Decatur holds genealogy collections for the county. Their records include church records, photos, Superior Court Minutes Book A from 1836 to 1843, Superior Court Records from 1860 to 1910, and Decatur City Court Minute Books from 1923 to 1956.
For Chamblee genealogy, church records can be especially useful. Chamblee had active churches from its early days, and baptism and burial records from those congregations fill gaps before Georgia started statewide vital records in 1919. The History Center also has photos that can help identify family members and community connections.
The DeKalb County Courts public records page shows how to access court records for Chamblee and the rest of DeKalb County.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for Chamblee are from the Georgia Department of Public Health or local health offices. Georgia started statewide vital records in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for extras. Death certificates are the same.
Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, birth certificates are restricted to close family members. Death certificates are more available and useful for genealogy research. They list the person's name, death date, parents' names, and burial site.
The Virtual Vault has free death certificates from 1919 to 1943 online. FamilySearch has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943 at no cost. For records before 1919, the Georgia Archives may have microfilmed DeKalb County vital records.
Online Research Tools
Search Chamblee genealogy records from home. The E-Access to Court Records system lets you look up DeKalb County probate and court files online. Registration is free. Basic data costs nothing. Documents are $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 per page after.
FamilySearch has free Georgia records. Marriages from 1754 to 1960, probate records from 1742 to 1990, and death records from 1914 to 1943 are all indexed. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has old newspapers from the DeKalb area. Obituaries and legal notices in those papers can reveal details about Chamblee families.
The Georgia Archives at 5800 Jonesboro Road in Morrow has microfilmed DeKalb County records, census data on Ancestry.com (free in the search room), and military files. Call (678) 364-3710. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, public records are open for inspection.
Research Tips for Chamblee
Chamblee has been a city since 1907. Records from before that date are under DeKalb County with no city name attached. After 1907, you might find "Chamblee" listed in census records and city directories.
Census records from 1820 to 1950 cover DeKalb County. The 1850 census was the first to list all household members by name and age. Tax digests track families between census years. The 1890 census is mostly destroyed, so use other sources for that decade.
Chamblee also borders Gwinnett County to the north and Fulton County to the west. Families near the border may have records in more than one county. If you don't find what you need in DeKalb, check the neighboring counties. Cemetery records in the Chamblee area go back to the 1800s. Check FindAGrave and the DeKalb GAGenWeb project for transcriptions.
- Check cemetery records when vital records are missing
- Search church records for baptisms and burials
- Use tax digests between census years
- Look at Gwinnett or Fulton County if DeKalb records come up empty
- Try the DeKalb History Center for early court minutes
DeKalb County Genealogy Records
Chamblee is in DeKalb County. All marriage licenses, probate records, land deeds, and court cases are at the DeKalb County courthouse in Decatur. Records go back to 1842 when the county was formed.
Nearby Georgia Cities
These cities are near Chamblee and share DeKalb County genealogy resources.