Title: Tennessee Genealogical Research
Author: Schweitzer, George K., Ph.D., Sc.D.
Publishing Information: Self Published, 1986, 138 pgs
General Statement:
Although this book is nearly 40 years old and does not include any online research options, much of what is discussed will be helpful for Tennessee researchers. Dr. Schweitzer has written numerous well-received genealogy research guidebooks and this one is no different.
Basic Review:
As an early Tennessee researcher, I have found this book, over the years, to be helpful. The book includes general background information on Tennessee including information on migration routes; the types of records that you might find and where they are located; and county listings with details such as date of formation, records, and information on record losses. Unfortunately, there is no index, but the chapters are short and the Table of Contents is detailed.
Chapters:
I Tennessee Background:
Details on geography, settlements, military, transportation routes, and additional suggested readings. Miscellaneous hand-drawn maps are also included.
II Types of Records:
Discussion on records groups from Bible Records to Death Records, Genealogical Periodicals, Manuscripts, Territorial Papers, etc.
III Record Locations:
In this chapter, Dr. Schweitzer suggests that you review the holdings of several archives and libraries before visiting the county of your ancestors.
Although this section related to The Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Family History Library discusses physically visiting the library some of their collections are now online so some of what you read about in this chapter may possibly be found online. For example, there is an ‘Index of Family Bible Records’ online at the Tennessee State Library and Archives that includes online images as well as other online database collections that could be of help.
IV County Listings:
Counties are listed alphabetically and include information on various record holdings as well as date of formation and years of lost records, local libraries, and for some, titles of local county history books. For example, the Hickman County history listing includes ‘A History of Hickman County’ by J.D. and D.L. Spence which can be read online on familysearch.org.
MCGS Librarian

Genealogy, Tennessee