Rhea County, Tennessee Genealogy
Guide to Rhea County, Tennessee ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Rhea County was named for the Tennessee politician and Revolutionary War veteran John Rhea. The county is located in the east-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Rhea County Courthouse
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
County Courthouse Phone: 423-775-7808
County Clerk Phone: 423-775-7808
County Register of Deeds Phone: 423-775-7841
County Clerk has marriage records from 1808.
Register of Deeds has land records.[3]
Rhea County, Tennessee Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1908 | 1808 | 1908 | 1815 | 1808 | 1825 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
1869 and 1927 Fires damaged courthouse records.[5]
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Tennessee county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Tennessee County Boundary Maps" (1777-1985) may be viewed at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
Cities | ||
Towns | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Historic communities | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Additional Information
East Tennessee county.
The county is named after U.S. Congressman John Rhea (1753-1832) from Tennessee.[8]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- East Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1778 to 1911. 2000. By Alan N. Miller. Baltimore, Md.: Clearfield Company. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 U2m. Online at MyHeritage ($). Includes Rhea County.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
See Tennessee Cemeteries for more information. |
Additional Cemetery Resources
- Tennessee Cemeteries - Hometown Locator
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1810 | 2,504 | — |
1820 | 4,215 | 68.3% |
1830 | 8,186 | 94.2% |
1840 | 3,985 | −51.3% |
1850 | 4,415 | 10.8% |
1860 | 4,991 | 13.0% |
1870 | 5,538 | 11.0% |
1880 | 7,073 | 27.7% |
1890 | 12,647 | 78.8% |
1900 | 14,318 | 13.2% |
1910 | 15,410 | 7.6% |
1920 | 13,812 | −10.4% |
1930 | 13,871 | 0.4% |
1940 | 16,353 | 17.9% |
1950 | 16,041 | −1.9% |
1960 | 15,863 | −1.1% |
1970 | 17,202 | 8.4% |
1980 | 24,235 | 40.9% |
1990 | 24,344 | 0.4% |
2000 | 28,400 | 16.7% |
2010 | 31,809 | 12.0% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal population censuses of Rhea County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Tennessee Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than nationwide online indexes.
See Tennessee Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.
See Rhea County, TN census assignments, including links to transcribed files. The USGenWeb Census Project®.
1810-1891
- Tennessee, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1810-1891 at Ancestry — index $
1810 Lost, but a substitute is available:
- Sherrill, Charles A. The Reconstructed 1810 Census of Tennessee: 33,000 Long-lost Records from Tax Lists, Court Minutes, Church Records, Wills, Deeds and Other Sources. Mt. Juliet, Tenn.: C.A. Sherrill, 2001. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2s 1810.
1820 Lost[9]
1820 Manufactures
The original manufactures schedules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Tennessee are kept at NARA, Washington, D.C. FS Library copies: FS Library US/CAN Films 1024517-1024518.
- National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2m 1820. Covers this county.
- 1820 Census of Manufactures: Rhea County, East Tennessee Roots, Vol. 6, No. 1 ():37. For availability, see Rhea.
1830
- Broyles, Betty J. A Compendium of Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee, 1808 through 1850. n.p.: n.p., 1980. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 V2b. Includes 1830 census.
- Hutcherson, Willis Reed. Population Schedule of the United States Census of 1830 for Rhea County, Tennessee. Rockwood, TN: Unknown, 1965. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 X2p; online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Ancestry ($). Free Lookups
- Sistler, Byron H. 1830 Census, East Tennessee. Evanston, Ill.: n.p., 1969. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2p 1830.
1840
- Broyles, Betty J. A Compendium of Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee, 1808 through 1850. n.p.: n.p., 1980. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 V2b. Includes 1840 census.
- Hutcherson, Willis Reed. Population Schedule of the United States Census of 1830 [and 1840] for Rhea County, Tennessee. Rockwood, TN: Unknown, 1965. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 X2p; online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Ancestry ($). Free Lookups
1840 Revolutionary War Pensioners
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FS Library US/CAN Film 2321. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Tennessee, Eastern District, Rhea County on page 154.
1850
- Broyles, Betty J. A Compendium of Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee, 1808 through 1850. n.p.: n.p., 1980. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 V2b. Includes 1850 census.
- Hutcherson, Willis and Pollyanna Creekmore. 1850 Rhea County, Tn. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: J.L. Douthat, 1983. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2h. Free Lookups Available!
1850 Agricultural Census
- Broyles, Bettye J. Rhea County: 1850, 1870, and 1880 Agricultural Production Census. n.p.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1999. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 X2b.
- Green, Linda L. Tennessee 1850 Agricultural Census. 2 vols. Woodbridge, Va.: L.L. Green, 2000. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 X2g v. 1 ff. Rhea County is included in Vol. 1.
1860
- Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b. Free Lookups Available!
1870
- Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b. Free Lookups Available!
1870 Agricultural Census
- Broyles, Bettye J. Rhea County: 1850, 1870, and 1880 Agricultural Production Census. n.p.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1999. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 X2b.
1880
- Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b. Free Lookups Available!
- Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. 1880 Census, Rhea County, Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: Byron Sistler & Associates, 1991. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2s 1880.
1880 Agricultural Census
- Broyles, Bettye J. Rhea County: 1850, 1870, and 1880 Agricultural Production Census. n.p.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1999. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 X2b.
1891 Male Voters
- 1891 Tennessee Enumeration of Male Voters 1891 at Ancestry — index $
1900
- Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b. Free Lookups Available!
1920
- Tallent, Seth, Henrietta Tallent and Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society. Rhea County, Tennessee, 1920 Census. Spring City, Tenn.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1995. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2t.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records include baptisms, marriages and burials, as well as information about family members and clues about family migration.For additional information about church records, religions, and religious archives in Tennessee, see Tennessee Church Records.
- Rhea County Church Records
- - FamilySearch Catalog - Rhea County Church Records
- Church histories tell when a church started in the area, who the early members were, give data about church leaders, etc.
- - FamilySearch Catalog - Rhea County Church History
- If the records you need are not through the FamilySearch Library, contact the church(es) in the area where your ancestor lived.Two sites that give information about churches in Rhea County are:
- - List of Rhea County churches with addresses and phone numbers (Yellowbook)
- - List of Rhea County churches (TN HomeTownLocator)
- Rhea County Churches and Schools. Free Lookups Available!
Baptist
- 1807-1937 - Salem Baptist Church Records. Dayton, 1807-1937. Manuscript. TSLA Reel #465.
- 1807-1900 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville: Sitler and Associates, 1979. vol. 2 FS Library 976.8 K29s Index to original Salem Baptist Church Records. Dayton, 1807-1937.
Methodist
- Historical Records Project. Quarterly Conference of the Washington Circuit of the Holston Conference Methodist Church South, Rhea County, Tennessee. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1940. Manuscript. FS Library 24790 Item 3
Episcopal
- Green, William. Life and Papers of A.L.Pl Green, D.D.. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Methodist Pulblishing House, 1877. Free digital copy.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
- County Court Minutes 1834-1840. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- County Court Minutes 1840-1844. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- County Court of Rhea County Minutes: January 1853 - October 1866. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- County Court of Rhea County Minutes: October 1866 - December 1871. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- County Court of Rhea County Minutes: December 1871 - April 1876. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- Rhea County, Tennessee County Court Minute Book April 1876 - August 1881. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
Law and Legislation
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850: Index to Names. January 25, 2005. In addition to creating new laws, legislative acts were often required to obtain a divorce, grant legitimacy to a child, or for appointments to or grant payments for public service. The TSLA has created an index to names that appear in these acts covering the years 1796 to 1850. Online searchable index at TSLA.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
During the War of 1812, American officials reported finding a total of 6 British aliens, many of whom had families, living in Rhea County.
- Kenneth Scott. British Aliens in the United States During the War of 1812. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979, 372-378 (see East Tennessee). FS Library US/CAN 973 W4s; digital version at Ancestry ($)
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
General
- As of August 2010, a query for persons born in Rhea, Tennessee at World Connect, results in more than 25,000 entries.
Bibliography
- Edmonds - Yadon, Laurence J. The Newton J. Edmonds Family of Rhea County, Tennessee and Greene, Laclede and Webster Counties, Missouri. Tulsa, Oklahoma: L.J. Yadon II, 1980. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 Ed58y.
- Shultz - Reagan, Donald B. Smoky Mountain Clans. 3 vols. Knoxville, Tenn.: D.B. Reagan, 1978-1983. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273R22b 1978. The Shultz family is discussed in Vol. 2.
- Smith - Mayes, C. Vale. A Genealogy and History of Smith Family of Rhea Co. Tn. and Barry Co. Mo. with Their Related Families, 1772-1982. n.p.: C.V. Mayes, 198?. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sm61m.
- Walker - Bowman, G. Ralph. Some Descendants of Captain George Walker, 1745-1833: of Fauquier, Virginia; Burke County, North Carolina; Knox, Rhea & Bledsoe Counties, Tenn. n.p.: G.R. Bowman, 1978, 2004. FS Library FAM HIST Book 929.273 W152bg. Digital version available at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Wasson - Murray, J.L. Ancestry of James S. Murray of Campbell County, Tennessee and the Wasson Family of Rhea County, Tennessee. MSS., microfilmed in 1983. FS Library US/CAN Film 1033940 Item 6.
- Young - Stein, Carl F. Some Descendents of James Pickens Young 1815: of Polk, Rhea, Hamilton, Blount, & Knox Counties, Tenn., Cherokee, & Gaston Counties, North Carolina. Family Group Sheets. FS Library US/CAN Film 2055385 Item 2.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
In 1969, TSLA microfilmed original Rhea County Deed Books A to M (1808-1879). FS Library copies: FS Library US/CAN Films 589479-589483.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- Gray, David H. and Bettye J. Broyles. Rhea County, Tennessee, Deed Books. 2 vols: Deed Books A to E (1809-1831), Deed Book F (1831-1838). Dayton, Tenn.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1987. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 R2r v. 1 ff. Free Lookups Available!
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- A Compendium of Rhea & Meigs, Tn 1801-1850. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- The History of Rhea County. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Tennessee (1777-1985)
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
- 1835 Pension Roll at TNGenWeb.
- 1852 Rejected or Suspended Pensions at TNGenWeb.
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. FS Library US/CAN Book 973 X2pc 1840; FS Library US/CAN Film 2321. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Tennessee, Eastern District, Rhea County on page 154.
- Revolutionary & Military Pensioners, 1840, Ansearchin' News, Vol. 25, No. 3 (Fall 1978).
Additional resources include:
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." Digital version at Ancestry. Tennessee entries abstracted online at Tennesseans in the Revolutionary War at TNGenWeb. Includes veterans from this county; Tennessee section begins on page 381.
War of 1812
- Embry, Hermione D. "War of 1812 - Tennessee Pensioners on List - January 2, 1883," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 8, No. 2 (Apr. 1961):49-52. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 B2a v. 8 (1961); digital version at journal website. Includes Rhea County pensioners (p. 50).
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1891-1965 Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Regiments. Men in Rhea County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Rhea County:
Confederate Soldiers
- 1st Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Carter's) - CSA - Companies A and D.
- 16th Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry (Neal's) - CSA - Company C.
- 19th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry - CSA - Company D.
- 26th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (3rd East Tennessee Volunteers) - CSA - Company E.
- 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (Gillespie's) (5th East Tennessee Volunteers) - CSA - Company B.
Union Soldiers
- 9th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry - Company B.
Additional sources for Civil War soldiers from Rhea County:
- Worsham, William J. Old Nineteenth Tennessee regiment, C.S.A. June, 1861-April, l865. Knoxville, Tennessee: Press of Paragon Printing Co., 1902. Free digital copy.
- USGenWeb Archives, Rhea County Tennessee Archives. Civil War Records.
- Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Rhea County. Includes soldier's name, county, pension #, unit or widow.
- United States Pension Bureau, List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883: Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for... (Washington Printing Office; 1883), (accessed 1 Feb 2012). Online at Internet Archive. Rhea County, page 369-370.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Many Tennessee newspapers are filmed and available at TSLA. Most of these newspapers may be accessed by interlibrary loan to libraries within Tennessee, although there are some newspapers which are not available in or outside of Tennessee. For further information regarding interlibrary loan policies and newspapers not available for interlibrary loan click here. For a list of newspapers available at the archives for Rhea County click on the following cities or towns:
- 1847 - 1851 - Smith, Jonathan K.T. Genealogical Abstracts from Reported Deaths, the Nashville Christian Advocate. [1847-1914] 10 vols. [Jackson, Tenn.]: J.K.T. Smith, 1997-2003. FS Library US/CAN Books 976.855/N1 V48s 1847-1851 ff; digital versions at David Donahue Memorial: Tennessee Records Repository. Website expands upon the publications and includes deaths from the 1830s, 1840s, 1910s and 1920s. (Largely Methodist?)
- 1800s-Current Tennessee, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Prisons[edit | edit source]
- 1831-1850 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
- 1851-1870 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary 1851-1870 at Tennessee State Library and Archives
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Genealogical periodicals can contain unique sources and can be local, regional, or statewide. The following periodicals cover this county:
- Ansearchin' News: Quarterly magazine of the Tennessee Genealogical Society. For a keyword search, go to the county index. Read previous issues on their website; FS Library Book 976.8 B2a.
- East Tennessee Roots: Published by East Tennessee Roots The table of contents for some issues are available on their website; FS Library Book 976.8 D25e.
- Rhea Notes: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society Facebook Page. FS Library US/CAN 976.8834 B2r
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1779-2008 Tennessee Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 at Ancestry $
- 1825-1969 Rhea County portion of Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; handwritten indexes may be found at the front or back of some volumes.
- 1825-1840; 1852-1881; 1881-1902 Images of Wills & Inventories 1825-1840; 1852-1881; 1881-1902 at SouthEasternGenealogy $
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1808 - 1851 - Bell, Annie W.B. Rhea County, Tennessee, Wills, 1808-1851. Typescript, pre-1935. FS Library US/CAN 940062 Item 4.
- 1810 - 1881 - Broyles, Bettye J. Rhea County, Tennessee Wills, Inventories, Estate Settlements and Guardian Reports 1810-1881. n.p.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1989. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 P2r. Free Lookups Available!
- 1825 - 1860 - Historical Records Project (W.P.A.). Will Books, 1825-1860, Rhea County, Tennessee. Typescript, TSLA. Microfilmed in 1940. FS Library US/CAN Films 24791, 24788. Includes inventories and administrations for certain years.
- 1825 - 1861 - Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Tennessee Wills & Administrations 1779-1861. Nashville, Tenn. Byron Sistler & Associates, Inc., 1990. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 P22s. Includes an index to this county's probate records.
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Bryan College Yearbooks - misc. volumes between the 1940s-present. Freely available via the Internet Archive.
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
In 1969, the TSLA microfilmed the original Rhea County Tax Lists 1832-1834. FS Library copy: Minute Book C, FS Library US/CAN Film 1012164.
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1808-1809 Tax List, 1808-9, Rhea Notes, Vol. 1, No. 3 (May 1987).
- 1808, 1819 Sistler, Byron and Barbara Sistler. Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists. Evanston, Ill.: B. & B. Sistler, 1977. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 R4s. Includes 1808 and 1819 tax lists.
- 1808, 1819 Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists (Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing Company, 1964), FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8 R4c. Includes 1808 and 1819 tax lists.
- 1808-1850 Broyles, Bettie J. A Compendium of Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee, 1808 through 1850. 1980. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.883 V2b; online: free surname index and purchase details.
- 1808-1809 Tax List, 1808-9, Rhea Notes, Vol. 1, No. 3 (May 1987).
- 1808 "1808 Tax Lists of Rhea County," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb.
- 1809 Tax List, 1809, Rhea Notes, Vol. 9, Nos. 3-4 (May 1995).
- 1810 Tax List, 1810, Rhea Notes, Vol. 1, No. 4 (Jul. 1987).
- 1810 Tax List, 1810, Rhea Notes, Vol. 9, Nos. 5-6 (Sep. 1995).
- 1811 Tax List, 1811, Rhea Notes, Vol. 1, No. 5 (Sep. 1987); Vol. 1, No. 6 (Nov. 1987).
- 1814 Tax List, 1814, Rhea Notes, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Mar. 1988).
- 1814 "Direct Federal Tax-Delinquent Property Owners Listed for 1814," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 43, No. 3(Fall 1996):115-120. For possible FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Rhea. Includes Rhea County.
- 1815 Tax List, 1815, Rhea Notes, Vol. 2, No. 3 (May 1988).
- 1816-1817 Tax List, 1816, 1817, Rhea Notes, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Jul. 1988).
- 1818 Tax List, 1818, Rhea Notes, Vol. 2, No. 5 (Sep. 1988).
- 1819-1829 Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County Tax Lists, 1819 through 1829. Chattanooga, Tenn.: B.J. Broyles, 199-?. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 R4bb.
- 1823 Thornton, Mabel H. "Rhea County, Tennessee, Tax List-1823," Ansearchin' News, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Jan. 1964):9-20. For FS Library and online access, as well as indexes, see Rhea.
- 1832-1834 Wells, Carol. Rhea County, Tennessee: Tax Lists, 1832-1834 and County Court Minutes, Colume D: 1829-1834. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1996. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 P2w.
- 1832-1834 Wells, Carol. Tennessee. CD-ROM. FS Library Computer US/CAN Desktop CD-ROM no. 680 v. 2. Includes 1832-1834 tax lists.
- 1833 Vincent, Don. Missouri Heartlands, Family Records. 2 vols. 1991-1993. FS Library US/CAN Book 977.8 D2vd. Includes Rhea County 1833 tax list.
- 1836 "Rhea County, Tennessee 1836 Plat Map and Civil District Descriptions," available online, courtesy: TNGenWeb.
- 1837 Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County: Taxable Property and Polls for 1837. n.p.: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1992. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 R4b; online: free surname index and purchase details.
- 1850-1900 Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b; online: free surname index and purchase details. Free Lookups Available!
- 1866 Broyles, Bettie J. Rhea County, Tennessee 1866 Tax List. Spring City, Tennessee: Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 R4bbj; online: free surname index and purchase details.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1828-1939 Tennessee Births and Christenings 1828-1939 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1869-1909 Tennessee Delayed Birth Records 1869-1909 at Ancestry $
- 1908-1912 Rhea County Vital Statistics: Record of Births 1908-1912. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- 1908-1912 Tennessee, Birth Records (ER Series), 1908-1912 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1924-1939 Rhea County Vital Statistics: Record of Births 1924-1939. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Online indexes and Records
- 1625-1966 Tennessee, United States Marriages at Findmypast $
- 1780-2002 Tennessee State Marriages 1780-2002 at Ancestry $
- 1780-2002 Tennessee State Marriage Index 1780-2002 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1790-1962 Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950 - at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection. Covers all counties in Tennessee.
- 1796-1950 Tennessee Marriages 1796-1950 (Indexes only) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1812-1920 Rhea County Marriage Index 1812-1920 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch [10]
- 1838-1888 Tennessee Civil Marriages, 1838-1888 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1851-1900 Tennessee Marriages 1851-1900 at Ancestry $
- 1980-2014 Marriage Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Book Abstracts and Indexes
- 1808-1859 Marriages of Rhea County, Tennessee, 1808-1859. FS Library US/CAN 976.8834 V2w
- 1808-1861 Early East Tennessee Marriages. 2 vols. FS Library US/CAN 976.8 V2s v. 1. Indexes names of brides, grooms, marriage dates for this county for specified years.
- 1850-1900 Rhea County, Tennessee, Census, Marriage, and Tax Records, 1850 through 1900. 1982. FS Library US/CAN Book 976.8834 X2b. Free Lookups
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1874-1955 Tennessee Deaths and Burials 1874-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1908-1933 Tennessee Deaths, 1908 - 1933 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1908-1958 Tennessee Death Records 1908 - 1958 at Ancestry $
- 1908-1912 Tennessee Death Records 1908-1912 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1933 Tennessee Death Records 1914-1933 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1914-1966 Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1925-1939 - Rhea County Vital Statistics: Record of Deaths 1925-1939. TNGenWeb Free Lookups Available!
- 1949-2014 Death Records Index 1949-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1796-1850 Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850 at Tennessee State Library & Archives - index
- 1980-2014 Divorce Records Index 1980-2014 at Shelby County Register of Deeds - index
Online Titles
- W.P.A. Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Tennessee. Nashville, Tenn.: The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1941. FamilySearch Books Online
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Rhea County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Chattanooga Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- McMinneville Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Crossville Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Loudon Tennessee FamilySearch Center
- Art Circle Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Chattanooga Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Cleveland Bradley County Public Library History Branch - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Rhea County. For state-wide library facilities, see Tennessee Archives and Libraries.
Clyde W. Roddy Library
371 First Ave.
Dayton, Tennessee 37321
Phone: 423-775-8406
Email: info@clyderoddy.org
Facebook
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Rhea County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Tennessee Societies.
Rhea County Historical & Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 31
Dayton, TN 37321
Email: rchgsarchives@gmail.com
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Rhea County, TN Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Rhea County, TNGenWeb (USGenWeb)
- Rhea County TN Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical "Fact Sheets" About Tennessee Counties: Rhea County, courtesy: TSLA. (Identifies published county histories, published local records, census records, newspapers and local records on microfilm, and select manuscripts.)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Rhea County, Tennessee" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhea_County,_Tennessee, accessed 03 Jan 2019
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Lost Records: Courthouse Fires and Disasters in Tennessee in Tennessee State Library and Archives in Tennessee Secretary of State (accessed 13 March 2016).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Tennessee.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Rhea County, Tennessee," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhea_County,_Tennessee, accessed 10 December 2019.
- ↑ "List of counties in Tennessee," Wikipedia.
- ↑ Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists: a compiled list of residents of the area covered in 22 east Tennessee counties for which there is [sic] no census records prior to 1830 (Fort Worth, Texas: Arrow Printing, 1964) [FS Library 976.8 R4c].
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at Media:Igitennesseel.pdf.