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James County, Tennessee History & Genealogy


      James County in 1902.

When was James County, TN Created?

James County was created by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly on January 30, 1871. Lands were taken from a small portion of Bradley County and the eastern third of Hamilton County. James County was named in honor of the Rev. Jesse J. James, the father of Elbert Abdiel James, who introduced legislation for the formation of the county. Ooltewah, a Muskogee variation of italwa meaning "town," was selected as the county seat.

The county went bankrupt in April 1919 and was reincorporated into Hamilton County by a vote of its citizens on December 11, 1919. Few records remain of what was once James County due largely to courthouse fires in 1890 and 1913. The few remaining James County records are now kept in Hamilton County. The third and final James County Courthouse is the major landmark of Ooltewah.

What counties were adjacent to James County, TN?

Bordering counties were Hamilton County, Tennessee (west), Bradley County, Tennessee (east), Catoosa County, Georgia (south) , Whitfield County, Georgia (southeast), and Meigs County, Tennessee (north).

What cities and towns were in James County, TN?

Cities and towns located in the county included Ooltewah, Apison, Collegedale, and Snow Hill.

What historical and genealogical records can I find in the James County Courthouse?


      The third courthouse of (the now defunct) James County in Ooltewah
      is now a private business.

The surviving records from James County are now kept at the courthouse located in Chattanooga in Hamilton County.

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for James County, TN?

A list of James County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives.

Where can I find someone to do historical or genealogical research in James County, TN?

Scott Searches/Historycatcher is a professional research service that offers historical and genealogical research in James County records, and regarding historical sites in the former James County. Projects can range from searching records & obtaining photocopies or digital scans of documents to more complex topical research and analysis, depending on need. Other services include an on-site photography service if you need photographs of cemetery markers, or other historically significant locations, and interviews with cooperative and knowledgable local persons, including high quality digital audio recordings, verbatim transcripts, or interview summaries.

Scott Searches/Historycatcher can also assist attorneys, estate administrators, professional genealogists, amateur family historians, reunion organizers, and individuals locate living relatives or descendants through specialized forensic genealogical services, and missing persons investigations.

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