When you begin to research an early Tennessee ancestor, it is very important to take time to learn about the history of the area. Which county was the area in when your ancestors were there? Who were the first settlers; what drew them to the area and why? What was the predominant religion? This information can provide clues for not only finding your ancestors, but understanding potential migration paths.
Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee From the Earliest Time to the Present, (1887) including its Early Explorations and Pre-historic Races, also its Aboriginal and Pioneer Annals, which includes county histories for 82 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, is one source for early historical information. It provides a nineteenth century perspective along with information on early settlers and settlement locations, and the significant geographical features, climate, crops and roads that influenced settlement. The county histories also discuss the growth of churches, schools, businesses and county government.
Other sources for county history information include the Tennessee County History Series published by the Memphis State University Press in the 1980’s, books published by county historical societies, and county websites. TSLA has two very useful resources: the Bibliography of Local History Sources and the County Genealogical “Fact Sheets."
Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee From the Earliest Time to the Present, (1887) including its Early Explorations and Pre-historic Races, also its Aboriginal and Pioneer Annals, which includes county histories for 82 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, is one source for early historical information. It provides a nineteenth century perspective along with information on early settlers and settlement locations, and the significant geographical features, climate, crops and roads that influenced settlement. The county histories also discuss the growth of churches, schools, businesses and county government.
Other sources for county history information include the Tennessee County History Series published by the Memphis State University Press in the 1980’s, books published by county historical societies, and county websites. TSLA has two very useful resources: the Bibliography of Local History Sources and the County Genealogical “Fact Sheets."
