Evans Genealogy Records Search

Evans genealogy records are at the Columbia County courthouse. The Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk hold marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and land deeds going back to 1790.

Columbia County Probate Court

The Columbia County Probate Court is in Evans at 100 Courthouse Square. This court keeps marriage licenses, wills, estate records, guardianship files, and letters of administration. Marriage records go back to 1790. Probate files start the same year. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has full jurisdiction over these types of records.

Columbia County is one of Georgia's original counties. It was created in 1790. That gives it some of the oldest records in the state. These early records are valuable for genealogy. The county has gone through several seat changes over the years. The courthouse is now in Evans, but older records were kept at earlier county seats like Appling.

You can visit the Probate Court in person to search records. Staff will help you look up records by name. Call ahead to check hours and fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Mail requests are also accepted.

Land Records in Evans

Land records for Evans and Columbia County go back to 1790. The Superior Court Clerk holds deed books, plat maps, and all property transfer records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, land records are open to the public.

Columbia County's early land records are especially useful for genealogy. The county borders the Savannah River, and early settlers received land grants from both the colonial government and the new state of Georgia. Land bounty grants for Revolutionary War service are in the early deed books. If your ancestor served in the Revolution and settled in this part of Georgia, the Columbia County land records may have their grant.

Property transfers within families show up in the deed books too. Fathers giving land to sons, widows selling property, and estate divisions all name family members. These records fill gaps when vital records do not exist. Copy fees are set by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 at 10 cents per page for standard copies from public agencies. Court records may vary, so ask the clerk.

Vital Records for Evans Genealogy

Statewide vital records in Georgia started in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. For birth and death certificates after that year, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. Birth certificates cost $25. Death certificates are the same.

Birth certificates have access limits under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26. Only the named person, parents, grandparents, adult children, siblings, spouses, or legal guardians can order certified copies. Death certificates are more open. They list parents' names and birth dates. That makes them very useful for building family trees.

For pre-1919 records, look at church records, cemetery inscriptions, and old newspaper notices. Columbia County had several early churches that kept baptism and burial records. The Virtual Vault at the Georgia Archives has free death certificates from 1919 to 1943 online. FamilySearch has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943.

Columbia County GAGenWeb

The Columbia County GAGenWeb page provides free genealogy records posted by volunteers, including cemetery lists, census data, and family research files.

This site connects you with other researchers working on Columbia County families. Volunteers share courthouse transcriptions, headstone photos, and other primary source data.

Online Resources for Evans Genealogy

FamilySearch has Georgia marriages from 1754 to 1960 and probate records from 1742 to 1990. These are free to search and view. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has old papers with obituaries and legal announcements.

The E-Access to Court Records system lets you search Columbia County court cases online. Registration is free. Basic case data costs nothing. Full documents cost $2.50 for page one and $1.00 per additional page.

Evans is close to Augusta, which has additional genealogy resources. The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library has a strong genealogy collection. The Reese Library at Augusta University also has local history materials. Both are free to visit.

The Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of Columbia County records going back to the 1790s. Free access to Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Fold3 is available in the search room. The archives are at 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260.

• Check Revolutionary War land grants for early Columbia County settlers
• Search cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Look at church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials
• Use tax digests when census records have been destroyed
• Review estate files for lists of heirs and property

Columbia County Records

Evans is the county seat of Columbia County. All genealogy records for this area are at the courthouse on Courthouse Square. Visit the full county page for more details.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Evans. If your ancestors were in the Augusta area, check records in nearby locations too.