Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Pierce County, Georgia
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
????? County Georgia Map
VEIW FULL SIZED SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Browse Georgia Counties

Pierce County was created from Appling and Ware counties on Dec. 18, 1857 by an act of the General Assembly. According to that act, the county's original boundaries were specified as:

Commencing at the south-west corner of the ninth district of Ware, thence the line between the 8th and 9th district to the line of the 4th and 5th district, thence the line between the 4th and 5th to the Appling county line; thence a direct line to Lightsey's Ford, on Big Creek, in Appling county; thence the creek down to the Little Satilla River; thence down the river to the Wayne county line; thence the Wayne line to the line of Charlton county; thence the line of Charlton to the south-east corner of the 9th district of Ware; thence the district line to the south-west corner of the 9th district.

Georgia's 120th county was named for Pres. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), whose term as fourteenth president had ended earlier that year. Portions of Pierce County were used to create Bacon County (1914) and Brantley County (1920).

The legislation creating Pierce County named James Walker, Ransom Thomas, James Harper, Allen Strickland and Netheldred Byrd as commissioners with authority to designated the location of the county seat (which was to be "as near the centre of the county as is convenient or practicable"). The commissioners were also empowered to purchase land, lay it out into town lots, sell the lots, and contract for construction of a courthouse. Election of justices of the inferior court and other county offices was scheduled for the first Monday in March 1858. If, by that time, the commissioners had not selected a county seat and performed their other duties, these responsibilities would be assumed by the inferior court. In 1858, either the commissioners or inferior court picked a train depot on the new Atlantic and Gulf Railroad as the county seat. The legislation creating Pierce County had directed that the county seat be designated Blackshear, so the town that grew up around the depot became known as Blackshear. The name honors Gen. David Blackshear (1764-1837), who was involved in the War of 1812 and Creek Indian Wars. On Dec. 16, 1859, the General Assembly incorporated Blackshear.

The legislation creating Pierce County provided that until a county seat was selected and a courthouse built, county courts would be conducted at the house of Mrs. Nancy Stewart. In 1858, a courthouse was built in Blackshear -- but this structure burned in 1875. That same year, a new courthouse was built at the location of the present courthouse. This building was torn down and replaced by the current courthouse in 1902. The building was remodeled in the 1970s, with a rear addition constructed in 1975.

Cities and Towns Includes the cities of Blackshear, Bristol, Mershon, Offerman and Patterson. The Official County Government Website is located at ?

Back to top

Pierce County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Georgia Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

Pierce County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1875 and Land Records from 1875 and is located at P.O. Box 679, Blackshear, Georgia; 31516-0679; (912) 449-2022. The Superior Court, Georgia's general jurisdiction trial court, has exclusive constitutional authority over felony cases, cases regarding title to land and equity, declaratory judgments, habeas corpus, mandamus, adoptions, name changes, divorces, child custody, and child support enforcement. The clerk is responsible for recording deeds and maintaining the chain of title to all property in the county. The County Courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1875, All records were destroyed.

Pierce County Clerk of Probate Court has Marriage Records from 1875 , Probate Records from 1857 and is located at P.O. Box 406, Blackshear, GA 31516-0406; 912-449-2029 / FAX 449-2024. The jurisdiction of Probate Court are all legal proceedings that deal with Wills, Estates, Guardianships of minor children, Involuntary Committals Hearings, Filing of Wills for saf, Issuance of Marriage License, ect... The office of the probate judge is the county office where the most significant genealogical records are created and maintained in Georgia. The County Courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1875, some records were destroyed.

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Pierce County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Vital Records in Georgia

Pierce County Health Department has Birth and Death Records since January 1919 and is located at 715 Ware Street, Blackshear, Georgia 31516-1545; (912) 449-2032. You may go to any county health department in the State of Georgia to obtain a certificates can be issued while you wait. Contact Clerk of Superior Court For County Divorce Records (See Pierce County Court Records for Address and Phone number) in the county where divorce was granted, and Contact Probate Judge For County Marriage Records (See Pierce County Court Records for Address and Phone number) in county where license was issued.

Georgia State Vital Records, Center for Health Statistics Office is located at State Dept of Human Resources, 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319-3640 (404) 679-4730 info, (877) 572-6343; Fax: (404) 524-4278. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Birth records are available from 1919 to the present. For earlier records in Atlanta or Savannah or other cities or counties, write to the Vital Records Office (see above) in county where event occurred. Fees are listed below. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates.
  • Death Certificates: Certified copies of death records are available from 1919 to the present. Death certificates are available to the general public. For earlier records in Atlanta or Savannah or other cities or counties, write to the Vital Records Office (see above) in county where event occurred. Fees are listed below. You can download an application online for Death Certificates. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index
  • Marriage Certificates: Centralized State records since June 9, 1952. Certified copies of marriage documents up to 1966 are issued at State office. Contact the Pierce County Probate office for marriages in Pierce County occurring before June 9, 1952, and all other counties will be forwarded to appropriate Probate Judge in county where license was issued.The state office does no record marriage license or applications after July 1, 1997.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

Ordering Vital Records by Mail -The fee to search for a birth, Marriage or Death certificate is $10.00, which includes one certified copy of the certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $5.00. Make certified checks and money orders should be made payable to "Vital Records, GA. DHR". Please do not send cash or checks. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to:Vital Records, 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319-3640. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates or Death Certificates.

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Pierce County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Georgia

Federal Population Schedules that exist for Georgia are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. The 1820 census is the earliest enumeration of Georgia's population to have survived, making it necessary to substitute other lists for the missing censuses. Land lottery, military and tax lists, and other records, are available as census substitutes and supplements for the 1820 and earlier censuses.

The first three census schedules for Georgia (1790, 1800 & 1810) are missing. A total of seventeen volumes of 1790-1820 censuses were lost by the federal government, evidently before 1895, and the cause is unknown. Tax lists for various years for a few of the counties have been published.. These can be used as a substitution for the first three census schedules. Additionally, Wills, deeds, tax digests, court minutes, voter lists, and newspapers can be searched to locate ancestors during this period The 1820 schedules for Franklin, Rabun, and Twiggs Counties are missing.

Georgia conducted state censuses for various years from 1787 to 1866. Only a relatively few of these returns survive, and they are only lists of heads of households with some minor statistical information. The returns prior to 1852 have been published in various sources. Later census returns, when they survive, are almost all on microfilm at the Georgia Department of Archives and History . The Georgia Census, 1790-1890 contains the following indexes: 1790 Tax Substitute Index; 1792-1819 Tax Lists Index; 1800 Oglethorpe County Territorial Census Index; 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860 & 1870 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1838 & 1845 State Census Index; ,1860 Slave Schedule; 1890 Veterans Schedule.

There are many other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in the state of Georgia. There are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Census Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Pierce County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Georgia

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Military Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Pierce County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Georgia Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Submit a website for Pierce Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Pierce County Genealogical and Historical Society, Post Office Box 443, Blackshear, GA 31516 PCHGS has an onsite Heritage Museum and Genealogical Library, located at the Scoiety's headquesrters. Meetings are held the third Thursday of every month at the Blackshear Railroad Depot. PCHGS offers an email list - to subscribe, send an email to: piercecounty-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  • Georgia Department of Archives and History, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260;
    For history, genealogy, or other research: Reference Services Tel: (678) 364-3710 , [EMAIL]
  • Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker Str, Savannah, GA 31401; 912-651-2125
  • Georgia Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 54574, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-0575, [EMAIL]
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
Back to top

Pierce County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Georgia

There are many churches and cemeteries in Pierce County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Pierce County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches and cemeteries free for viewing or download here.

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Pierce County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Georgia

 

Back to top

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Pierce County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Pierce County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2011 N2Genealogy.com,