Burned Counties in Tennessee

Courthouse fires and other natural disasters caused records held in certain Tennessee counties to be permanently lost. These are termed “burned counties.”  For a complete list, visit “Lost Records: Courthouse Fires and Disasters in Tennessee” at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. 

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Pictured is the fourth Putnam County Courthouse,  taken sometime in 1900, probably not long after its construction was completed. The third court house in the county caught fire and burned on 13 May 1899. Many of the records housed in the court house were destroy.

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Here are some tips for research in burned counties:

• Create a detailed family group record to use as your guide.  Research the family as well as their friends, associates, and neighbors.
• Check for relevant records in counties surrounding your burned county.
• Look at records held by the state and federal government, such as land grants, censuses, and pension records from wars.
• Also check church records, newspapers, as well as published county histories and biographies.