We are very proud of our local history collection.

A volunteer is available on Thursday mornings to assist visitors.

The Tennessee Room

The Tennessee Room at the library houses a collection of local history and genealogical information. Since the department is a reference collection, materials are not available for check out or interlibrary loan.

Copies

A photocopier for copying materials is located between the Tennessee Room and the Circulation Desk. Copies are black/white only and cost $.15 each. You pay for your copies at the circulation desk.

Microfilm Reader/Printers

In addition, there are two microfilm readers in the Tennessee Room that have copy capability. Cost per copy is $.25.

Computers

There are two  public access computers in the Tennessee Room that may be used to access Heritage Quest. Patrons may also access this database from any of the library’s other public access computers; remote access is also possible.

The Collection

Materials available in the genealogy department include the following:

Ancestor Charts

Automated Card Catalog with surnames from ancestor charts, family histories, book titles and subjects, microfilm, and family history files. Call numbers preceded by TENN refer to materials in this department.

Local Cemetery Records

Census Indexes- 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1870 for Henderson County, TN, and 1820-1880 Tennessee State Indexes

Civil War, Confederate Pension Applications-indexed

Civil War Questionnaires, 5 volumes, indexed

Civil War, Tennesseean’s in Civil War, 2 volumes-indexed

Family Histories

Files on Miscellaneous Henderson County Data such as Church record abstracts, old letters, pension records, etc.

History of Henderson County, by Auburn Powers

History of Henderson County, by Goodspeed

History of Henderson County, by Tillman Stewart

History of Scotts Hill, by Gordon Turner

Microfilm of Census through 1930, Court Records, Land Grants, Local Newspapers, and Vital Records

Tax list 1836 and 1862

Old Courthouse Records (Prior to 1890)- The courthouse burned in 1895 but some old records still exist, several of them go back to 1861. The oldest deed book goes back to 1856-1858, but there are several old volumes missing. Marriages and wills do not start until 1865. Births and deaths start at 1908.