Statewide Resources

Authoritative starting points by category. For how-to method, use Research Guides. For local detail, open a county page.

Archives & government

Tennessee State Library & Archives
Cornerstone state repository for historical and genealogical research.
Library of Congress
Maps, newspapers, manuscripts.
National Archives
Federal military, census, and more.

FamilySearch — Tennessee Wiki
Portal to Tennessee research guidance and collections.
North Carolina Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for NC counties and border families.
South Carolina Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for SC counties and border families.
Virginia Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for VA counties, cities, and border families.
USGenWeb Archives — Tennessee
Volunteer transcriptions and archives.

TeVA Digital Collections
Digitized manuscripts, photos, and records from Tennessee institutions.

Start Here: Researching Tennessee Ancestors
A practical path from “I have a name and a place” to records that actually exist in Tennessee.
Counties, Districts & Formation
Why your ancestor is “missing” from a county that did not exist yet—and where to look instead.
Tennessee Archives & Repositories (quick start)
Quick orientation to TSLA, local clerks, and digital portals.
Census Research in Tennessee
Federal schedules, gaps, and how to use census evidence with Tennessee jurisdictions.
Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)
Statewide registration is late—here is how to prove life events in Tennessee.
Land & Property Records
Grants, entries, plats, deeds, and boundary language that place families on the ground.
Probate, Estates & Guardianship
Wills, administrations, inventories, and guardian bonds that name heirs and property.
Military Records (Revolution through 20th Century)
Tennessee paths for early wars, Civil War, and later conflicts.