Pickens County Genealogy Search

Pickens County genealogy records date back to 1853, when the county was created from Cherokee and Gilmer counties. The Probate Court in Jasper holds marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and guardianship records for family research. Pickens County sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in north Georgia. The Superior Court Clerk keeps land deeds, divorce records, and civil case files that add depth to any family tree. Whether your ancestors were marble quarry workers or mountain farmers, the courthouse in Jasper is the starting point.

Pickens County Probate Court Records

The Pickens County Probate Court is the primary source for marriage and estate records. This court has marriage licenses from 1853 to the present. Wills, letters of administration, guardianship records, and estate inventories are also on file. The courthouse is in Jasper.

Marriage records are among the most requested items at the Pickens County Probate Court. Each license shows the names of the couple and often their ages or parents. These details help confirm family ties that census data alone may not show. Estate records are equally important for genealogy. When someone died, the court filed a will or letters of administration. These documents list heirs, property, and debts. Annual returns and inventories give a year-by-year picture of what an estate was worth. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses in Pickens County.

For records before 1853, check Cherokee County and Gilmer County since Pickens was formed from those two counties.

Note: Call before visiting to check hours and confirm record availability.

Pickens County Superior Court Genealogy

The Pickens County Superior Court Clerk holds land records, divorce files, and civil and criminal case records from 1853 forward. Deed books and plat maps show property boundaries and land sales. Divorce records often name children and include ages or birth dates. Civil cases can reveal family disputes that identify relatives.

Land records are especially useful for Pickens County genealogy because much of the land was used for farming and later marble quarrying. Property changed hands frequently, and each transfer left a paper trail at the courthouse. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most court records are open to the public. You can request copies in person or by mail from the clerk's office in Jasper.

Note: Land records before 1853 are at the Cherokee County and Gilmer County courthouses.

Vital Records for Pickens County Genealogy

Birth and death certificates for Pickens County start in 1919. That is when Georgia began its statewide vital records system under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Before 1919, there are no official birth or death records for Pickens County. Church records, cemetery transcriptions, and family Bibles are the best substitutes for that period.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are limited to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult siblings, adult children, spouses, or legal guardians. Death certificates are easier to get for genealogy purposes. Certified copies cost $25 for the first and $5 for each extra. Free death records from 1919 to 1943 are available at the Virtual Vault. FamilySearch also has indexed Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943.

Pickens County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The Pickens County genealogy community benefits from the Georgia Probate Courts Directory, which lists contact details for every probate court in the state, including Pickens County.

This directory helps researchers find the right office for marriage records, wills, and estate files. It is maintained by the Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia and is updated regularly.

Other free online resources include FamilySearch, which has Georgia marriages from 1754 to 1960, probate records from 1742 to 1990, and death records from 1914 to 1943. The Georgia Historic Newspapers archive has over one million pages of old Georgia newspapers. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds pre-1900 Pickens County records on microfilm.

Pickens County Genealogy Research Tips

Start with what you know. Write down names, dates, and places for your Pickens County family. Then work backward. Census records are the best next step for most people.

Federal census data from 1860 to 1940 is at the Georgia Archives through Ancestry.com, free in their search room. The 1860 census is the first to list Pickens County since it was formed in 1853. The 1890 census was destroyed. For that decade, use Pickens County tax digests. Pre-1900 records are on microfilm at the Georgia Archives, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Check Cherokee and Gilmer counties for records before 1853
• Search cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Look at church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials
• Review estate records when birth or death dates are unknown
• Use tax digests for years when census records are unavailable

Pickens County boundary changes matter for genealogy. Use the "Georgia Counties: Their Changing Boundaries" resource at the Virtual Vault to see which county your ancestors were in for any given year.

Fees for Pickens County Records

Fees vary for Pickens County genealogy records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the Georgia Open Records Act sets standard copy fees at 10 cents per page. Court records may have different rates. Certified copies of birth and death certificates are $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.

Call the Pickens County Probate Court at (706) 253-8763 to confirm current fees before sending payment. Pay by money order or certified check for mail requests. Cash is usually accepted in person.

Note: Fees can change without advance notice, so always verify before you submit a request.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pickens County. Family lines often crossed county borders in the north Georgia mountains. Check neighboring county records if your trail goes cold in Pickens County.