Find Jefferson County Genealogy

Jefferson County genealogy records go back to 1796, making it one of the original Georgia counties with deep historical roots. The county seat of Louisville once served as Georgia's state capital from 1796 to 1806. The Probate Court holds marriage records, wills, estate files, and guardianship documents spanning more than two centuries. The Superior Court Clerk maintains land deeds, divorce records, and civil case files. If you have ancestors who lived in the Louisville area or anywhere in Jefferson County, the courthouse records offer a rich source of family history information.

Jefferson County Probate Court Records

The Jefferson County Probate Court is the main source for marriage licenses, wills, estate inventories, and guardianship files. Marriage records go back to 1796. The court also holds letters of administration, annual returns, and bonds that help trace family connections over time.

Visit the courthouse in Louisville to search these records in person. The staff can help you find what you need. You can also send requests by mail. Include the names and dates you are looking for along with a check or money order for search and copy fees. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Standard copies run about $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to check current fees.

Louisville's time as the state capital means some early Jefferson County records may overlap with state government records from that era. This can be a useful detail for researchers looking at the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Note: Pre-1900 Jefferson County records are also available on microfilm at the Georgia Archives in Morrow.

Jefferson County Superior Court Genealogy

The Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk holds land records, divorce files, and civil and criminal case files from 1796 to the present. Land deeds are some of the most useful genealogy records. They show who bought and sold property, and plat maps show the exact boundaries of old farms and lots. If your ancestors owned land in Jefferson County, these records can tell you a lot about their lives.

Divorce records are another good source. These files often name children, list property, and provide ages or birth dates. Criminal and civil cases can also mention family members or residential details. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most court records in Georgia are public. You can request copies from the Clerk of Superior Court in Louisville. The Georgia Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 limits standard copy fees to 10 cents per page.

Vital Records for Jefferson County Genealogy

Georgia started statewide vital records registration in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth and death certificates from 1919 forward are available through the Jefferson County Health Department or the Georgia Department of Public Health. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra. Death certificates are priced the same.

For records before 1919, other sources are needed. The Georgia Archives has death certificates from 1919 to 1943 online for free through the Virtual Vault. FamilySearch has Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943. For the period from 1796 to 1919, check cemetery records, church records, old newspapers, and estate files at the courthouse.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are limited to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult children, adult siblings, spouses, or legal guardians. Death certificates are more accessible for genealogy purposes.

Jefferson County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The Jefferson County GAGenWeb page is a free volunteer-run genealogy resource. It has cemetery transcriptions, census records, family trees, and other documents shared by researchers. This site can connect you with people working on the same Jefferson County families.

Volunteers post records from courthouses, libraries, and archives. Bible records, old photographs, and transcribed documents are common finds on these pages.

Additional free resources for Jefferson County genealogy include FamilySearch with Georgia marriages from 1754 to 1960 and probate records from 1742 to 1990. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has over a million pages of old Georgia papers with obituaries and legal notices.

Note: Because Louisville served as Georgia's capital, some Jefferson County records from the 1796 to 1806 period may also appear in state government archives.

Research Tips for Jefferson County

Start with the facts you already have. Write down names, dates, and places for your Jefferson County family and work backward. Census records are the best next step for most people. Federal census data from 1820 to 1940 is at the Georgia Archives through Ancestry.com (free in the search room).

Keep in mind that the 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1890 censuses for Georgia were destroyed. For those missing years, use Jefferson County tax digests to place your ancestors. The 1850 census was the first to name every household member with ages. Since Jefferson County was created in 1796, you may find family in the earliest surviving census records for east-central Georgia.

Pre-1900 Jefferson County records are on microfilm at the Georgia Archives in Morrow (5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260). Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For post-1900 records, go to the Louisville courthouse. The Georgia Archives offers free access to Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and Fold3 in the search room.

• Check cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Look at church records for baptisms and burials
• Review estate records for birth or death date clues
• Search old newspapers for obituaries and legal notices
• Use tax digests from destroyed census years

Jefferson County boundaries have shifted over the years. The Virtual Vault has "Georgia Counties: Their Changing Boundaries" to help track your ancestors across county lines.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes the city of Louisville, which serves as the county seat. All genealogy records for cities in Jefferson County are held at the Jefferson County Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Louisville. No cities in Jefferson County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. Ancestors who moved around east-central Georgia may have records in multiple counties. Check neighboring county records when your trail goes cold in Jefferson County.