Access Pierce County Genealogy

Pierce County genealogy records go back to 1857, the year the county was formed from Appling and Ware counties. The Probate Court in Blackshear holds marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and guardianship records. Pierce County is in southeast Georgia, and its courthouse has served the area for over 160 years. The Superior Court Clerk maintains land deeds, divorce files, and civil case records. For anyone tracing family roots in this part of the state, the courthouse at 3550 Savannah Highway in Blackshear is where to start.

Pierce County Probate Court Records

The Pierce County Probate Court holds marriage and estate records for genealogy. Marriage licenses date from 1857 to the present. The court also has wills, letters of administration, guardianship files, and estate inventories. The courthouse is at 3550 Savannah Highway in Blackshear.

Marriage records from the mid-1800s are among the oldest documents at the Pierce County Probate Court. A license shows both names, and often the ages and parents of the couple. This helps confirm family links that census records alone may not prove. Estate records fill in more gaps. When someone died, the court filed a will or appointed an administrator. These documents list heirs and property. Annual returns show what an estate was worth over time. Guardianship records help when children were orphaned. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30, the Probate Court has full jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses.

For records before 1857, check Appling County and Ware County. Pierce was formed from parts of both, so earlier records for this area are at those courthouses.

Note: Call before visiting to confirm the courthouse is open and records are available.

Pierce County Superior Court Genealogy

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk holds land records, divorce files, and civil and criminal case records from 1857. Deed books show property transfers. Plat maps show property lines. Divorce records often name children and include birth dates or ages. Civil cases can reveal family disputes that identify relatives you did not know about.

Land records are a strong source for Pierce County genealogy. Families in southeast Georgia often held the same land for generations. Property transfers between family members show up in the deed books. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, court records in Georgia are open to the public. You can visit the clerk's office in person or send a request by mail.

Vital Records for Pierce County Genealogy

Birth and death certificates for Pierce County are available from 1919 forward. Georgia's statewide vital records system began that year under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Before 1919, there are no official vital records for Pierce County. Church records, cemetery transcriptions, and family Bibles are the best alternatives for that period.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are restricted to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult siblings, adult children, spouses, or legal guardians. Death certificates are more broadly available for genealogy. The cost is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each extra. The Virtual Vault has free Georgia death certificates from 1919 to 1943. FamilySearch has indexed records from 1914 to 1943.

Note: Compliance with the 1919 registration law was spotty in rural counties like Pierce for the first few years, so some early records may be missing.

Pierce County GAGenWeb Genealogy

The Pierce County GAGenWeb page is a free volunteer-run genealogy resource. It has cemetery records, census transcriptions, family trees, and other data shared by researchers.

Volunteers post records they find at courthouses and in private collections. This is a good first stop before traveling to Blackshear. The site also links to related Appling County and Ware County pages, which is useful for pre-1857 research.

Other free resources include Georgia Historic Newspapers and the Georgia Archives in Morrow. The Georgia Archives has pre-1900 Pierce County records on microfilm and offers free access to Ancestry.com in their search room.

Genealogy Tips for Pierce County

Start with what you know and work backward. Write down names, dates, and places for your Pierce County family. Census records come next for most researchers.

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 show Pierce County since it was formed in 1857. The 1890 census was destroyed. For that decade, use tax digests to track your ancestors. Pre-1900 Pierce County records are on microfilm at the Georgia Archives, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

• Check Appling County and Ware County for records before 1857
• Search cemetery records when vital records are missing
• Look at church records for baptisms and burials
• Review estate records for family connections

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, copy fees from public agencies are capped at 10 cents per page for standard letter or legal size documents. Court records may have different rates set by local rules.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pierce County. If your ancestors moved within southeast Georgia, check neighboring county records. County borders shifted over time, especially in the 1800s.