Search Woodstock Genealogy Records

Woodstock genealogy records are kept at the Cherokee County courthouse in Canton. Marriage licenses, probate files, wills, and land deeds for Woodstock residents are all filed at the county level.

Cherokee County Probate Court

The Cherokee County Probate Court in Canton handles all marriage licenses, wills, and estate records for Woodstock. Records date back to 1832. The court keeps marriage licenses, wills, letters of administration, guardianship files, and estate inventories. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has jurisdiction over these record types.

Visit the courthouse in person during business hours. You can also call ahead to ask about specific records. Staff can help you search by name if you have a rough time frame. Mail requests are accepted too. Include the full name, approximate dates, and a return address with your request.

Cherokee County was created in 1831 from land ceded by the Cherokee Nation. The county organized its first government in 1832. That is when records begin. Some earlier records for this area may be in neighboring counties that existed before Cherokee was formed.

Land Records for Woodstock Genealogy

Land deeds for Woodstock go back to 1832. The Cherokee County Superior Court Clerk holds all deed books, plat maps, and property transfer records. Land records are public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Anyone can view them.

Deed records are useful for genealogy because they show where your ancestors lived. They also reveal family connections. When a father sold land to a son or a widow transferred property, those deeds name the people involved. Look for deeds of gift, which often went to family members. Cherokee County land records can fill gaps when other record types are missing.

The original Cherokee County land came through the 1832 Georgia Land Lottery. If your ancestors were in this area early on, check the lottery records. The Georgia Archives has the original lottery draws. These records list the name, county of residence, and lot number drawn. Winners received lots of 160 or 40 acres in the former Cherokee territory.

Vital Records for Woodstock

Birth and death records for Woodstock follow the state system. Georgia started statewide registration in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. For records after 1919, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. Birth certificates are $25 for the first copy.

Birth certificate access is limited. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, only the named person, parents, grandparents, adult children, adult siblings, spouses, or legal guardians can get a certified copy. Death certificates are easier to get. They list parents' names and birth dates, which makes them very useful for genealogy.

For death records from 1919 to 1943, check the Virtual Vault at the Georgia Archives. These are free to view online. FamilySearch also has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943 indexed and free to search. Both are good starting points for Woodstock genealogy before you visit the courthouse.

Cherokee County GAGenWeb

The Cherokee County GAGenWeb page has free genealogy resources posted by volunteers, including cemetery records, census data, and family files.

Volunteers share transcriptions of courthouse records, cemetery headstones, and other primary sources on this site. It is a good place to connect with other people researching Cherokee County families.

Online Resources for Woodstock Genealogy

Several free databases help with Woodstock research. FamilySearch has Georgia marriages from 1754 to 1960, probate records from 1742 to 1990, and death records from 1914 to 1943. All free.

The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has old newspapers from across the state. Obituaries, legal notices, and wedding announcements can fill in missing details. Search by name and date range for best results.

The statewide E-Access to Court Records system lets you search court cases online. Registration is free. Basic case data costs nothing to view. Full documents cost $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 per page after that. This is a good way to check Cherokee County records from home.

Research Tips for Woodstock Genealogy

Start with what you know. List names, dates, and places, then work back one generation at a time. Census records are usually the best next step after family knowledge.

Federal census records from 1840 to 1940 are available for Cherokee County. The 1830 census is the first one that includes Cherokee County, but it only lists heads of household. The 1850 census was the first to name every person in the household. Georgia's 1890 census was destroyed, so use tax digests to fill that gap.

The Georgia Archives in Morrow has microfilm copies of Cherokee County records. Free access to Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Fold3 is available in the search room. Address: 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Check cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Search church records for baptisms and burials in the Woodstock area
• Look at the 1832 Georgia Land Lottery records for early settlers
• Use tax digests to fill gaps left by missing census years
• Review estate inventories for family details and property lists

Cherokee County Records

Woodstock is in Cherokee County. All genealogy records for Woodstock are filed at the Cherokee County courthouse in Canton. Visit the full county page for more details.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Woodstock. Check records in nearby areas if your ancestors lived in this part of north Georgia.