Paulding County Genealogy Lookup

Paulding County genealogy records go back to 1832, the year the county was formed from Cherokee County lands after the Cherokee removal. The Probate Court and Superior Court Clerk in Dallas hold marriage records, wills, estate files, land deeds, and court cases that help trace family lines in northwest Georgia. Paulding County has grown fast in recent decades, but its courthouse still holds nearly two centuries of records for family researchers. Whether you need a marriage license from the 1840s or a deed from the 1900s, the records are in Dallas.

Paulding County Probate Court Records

The Paulding County Probate Court is the main place to find marriage and estate records for genealogy. Marriage licenses go back to 1832. The court also keeps wills, letters of administration, guardianship files, and estate inventories. The courthouse is at 280 Constitution Boulevard in Dallas.

Marriage records from the 1830s and 1840s are among the oldest documents at the Paulding County Probate Court. A marriage license gives you names, ages, and sometimes parents of the couple. Estate records are just as helpful. When someone died, the court appointed an administrator or filed a will. These files list heirs and property. Annual returns show estate values over time. Guardianship records are useful when children were orphaned or when a minor inherited property. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses.

You can visit in person or send a request by mail. Include the full name of the person, approximate dates, and what type of record you need. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds up the process.

Note: Include a phone number with mail requests so staff can contact you if they have questions.

Paulding County Superior Court Genealogy

The Paulding County Superior Court Clerk holds land records, divorce files, and civil and criminal case records from 1832 forward. Deed books show land transactions between family members. Plat maps show exact property boundaries. Divorce records name children and list property. These records add depth to any Paulding County family tree.

Land grants from the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery are especially important for Paulding County genealogy. When the county was created, land was distributed by lottery to Georgia citizens. If your ancestor drew a lot in Paulding County, there should be a record of it. The Georgia Archives has lottery records online through Ancestry.com, and FamilySearch also has some of these indexed. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most court records are open to the public.

Note: The 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery records are key to early Paulding County genealogy and are available at the Georgia Archives.

Vital Records for Paulding County Genealogy

Birth and death certificates for Paulding County are available from 1919 to the present. Georgia started requiring vital records statewide that year under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Before 1919, you need to rely on church records, cemetery records, and family documents. Paulding County did not participate in the 1875 Vital Records Act, so there are no early birth records from that period.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are restricted to certain family members and legal representatives. Death certificates are more broadly available. The cost is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each extra copy. The Virtual Vault has Georgia death certificates from 1919 to 1943 for free. FamilySearch has indexed death records from 1914 to 1943 at no cost.

Paulding County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The Paulding County GAGenWeb page is a free resource run by volunteers. It includes cemetery transcriptions, census data, family trees, and other records shared by genealogy researchers.

This site connects you with other people researching Paulding County families. Volunteers post courthouse records, library finds, and private collections. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive is another free source with obituaries and legal notices from old Paulding County papers.

Genealogy Research Tips for Paulding County

Start with what you know and work backward. Write down all the names, dates, and places you have for your Paulding County ancestors. Census records are the best next step for most researchers.

Federal census data from 1840 to 1940 is at the Georgia Archives through Ancestry.com, which is free in their search room. The 1840 census is the first to list Paulding County. The 1850 census is the first to name every person in the household. Keep in mind that the 1890 census was destroyed. For that decade, use tax digests to find your ancestors in Paulding County. Pre-1900 records are on microfilm at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. Post-1900 records are at the courthouse in Dallas.

• Check the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery for early settlers
• Search cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Look at church records for baptisms and burials
• Review estate records for family connections
• Use the Vanishing Georgia photo collection at the Georgia Archives

The Georgia Archives is at 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Paulding County. Family lines often cross county borders, so check nearby records if you hit a dead end. Georgia had frequent boundary changes in the 1800s.