Echols County Genealogy Lookup

Echols County genealogy records date back to 1858, when the county was formed from Clinch and Lowndes counties in Georgia's far south. The Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Statenville hold marriage licenses, wills, estate papers, land deeds, and court records that help trace family lines in this sparsely populated corner of the state. Echols County is one of the smallest counties in Georgia by population, but its records cover a tight-knit community of families who have been here for generations. The courthouse in Statenville is the center for all county genealogy research.

Echols County Probate Court Genealogy

The Echols County Probate Court is the main source for marriage and estate records. Marriage licenses date to 1858. The court also keeps wills, letters of administration, guardianship records, and estate inventories. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses in Echols County.

Because Echols County has always been small, the records are relatively compact. This can be a blessing for genealogy researchers. There are fewer records to search through, and the families tend to intermarry, which means connections show up often. You can visit the courthouse in Statenville to look through records in person. Staff can help you find what you need. The court also takes mail requests.

Note: Echols County has limited staff, so it helps to call ahead before visiting the courthouse. Hours may be shorter than larger counties.

Echols County Court Records and Genealogy

The Echols County Clerk of Superior Court holds land records, divorce files, and civil and criminal case records from 1858 to the present. Land deeds can show where your ancestors lived. Divorce records often name children, list property, and give ages. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most court records in Georgia are open to the public.

Land records in Echols County are particularly useful because so many early residents were farmers and ranchers who owned large tracts of land. The pine forests and flatlands of south Georgia attracted settlers who made a living from timber and livestock. Property transfers in the deed books tell a story of family growth and movement that other records simply cannot match.

Tax digests from the 1860s and 1870s show who owned property and how much they had. These records are especially useful before statewide vital records began in 1919. If census records leave gaps, tax digests can confirm that your ancestors were still in Echols County during a given year.

Vital Records for Echols County Genealogy

Georgia started statewide birth and death records in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. The Echols County vital records office in Statenville issues birth and death certificates from 1919 forward. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy. Death certificates are the same.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are restricted to close family members. Death certificates are more widely available. For deaths from 1919 to 1943, check the Georgia Virtual Vault for free online access. FamilySearch has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943 at no cost.

When vital records are not available, estate records, cemetery inscriptions, and church records can fill gaps. In a small county like Echols, church records are often very detailed because the congregations were small and everyone knew each other.

Note: Marriage records from 1952 to 1996 were also filed at the state level with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Echols County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The Echols County GAGenWeb page is a free volunteer-run genealogy resource with cemetery transcriptions, census data, and family connections from across the county.

This site is a good way to connect with other researchers working on Echols County families. Since the county is small, the genealogy community tends to be close and willing to share information.

Other free resources include the Georgia Historic Newspapers archive and FamilySearch databases for Georgia marriages, probate records, and death records. Pre-1900 Echols County records are on microfilm at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The address is 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260.

• Check cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
• Search church records for baptisms and burials
• Look at Family Bible records at the Georgia Archives
• Use tax digests to track property ownership over time

Echols County was formed from Clinch and Lowndes counties. For ancestors before 1858, check those parent counties. The Okefenokee Swamp lies partly in Echols County, and families near the swamp borders may also appear in Clinch or Ware county records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, copy fees from public agencies are capped at 10 cents per page for standard documents.

Cities in Echols County

Echols County includes Statenville and a handful of small communities. All genealogy records are maintained at the Echols County Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Statenville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Echols County. If your ancestors moved in this area of south Georgia or crossed into north Florida, check neighboring records.