Records that survive
These are the record series the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has microfilmed for Roane County, with the office that kept each and the earliest and latest years filmed. A span can include gaps.
Land and deeds
- Deed Index Direct · Register of Deeds1801–1990
- Deed Index Reverse · Register of Deeds1801–1990
- Deeds · Register of Deeds1801–1990
- Miscellaneous, Land Entry · Register of Deeds1807–1958
- Survey Books · Register of Deeds1807–1923
- Deed of School Property · School Board1869–1925
- Trust Deeds · Register of Deeds1872–1970
- Plat Book Index · Register of Deeds1890–1945
- Probate Deeds · Probate Records1913–1967
- Trust Deed Index · Register of Deeds1925–1956
- Deed Index · Register of Deeds1930–1962
- Misc., Road Plats · County Clerk1930–1958
- Plat Books · Register of Deeds1947–1968
- Trust Deed Index Direct · Register of Deeds1957–1989
- and 1 more series in the full listing
Wills
- Settlements and Wills · Probate Records1802–1974
- Wills · Probate Records1940–1989
Estates and guardianships
- Settlements, Guardian · Probate Records1871–1976
- Bonds, Administrators · Probate Records1875–1974
- Bonds, Executors · Probate Records1875–1968
- Bonds, Guardian · Probate Records1875–1982
- Estates, Claims · Probate Records1922–1968
- Probate Records · Probate Records1967–1986
- Probate Minutes · Probate Records1975–1986
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriages · County Clerk1801–1986
- Vital Records · County Clerk1881
Tax lists
- Tax Books · Trustee1879–1965
Military and pensions
- Misc., Militia Companies · County Clerk1806–1838
- Military Discharges · Register of Deeds1944–1968
Court orders and minutes
- Minutes · County Clerk1801–1975
- Minutes, Civil · Circuit Court1810–1986
- Minutes · Chancery Court1824–1987
- Minutes, Criminal · Circuit Court1836–1986
- Enrollments · Chancery Court1868–1874
- Minutes, Quarterly · County Clerk1912–1986
- Minutes · School Board1921–1968
- Minutes, Chamber · Chancery Court1951–1972
Roads
- Misc., Road Overseers · County Clerk1866–1889
Other records
- Misc., Notary Band Book · County Clerk1895–1907
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Physicians · County Clerk1902–1917
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Optometry · County Clerk1909–1952
- Miscellaneous, Charter · Register of Deeds1912–1968
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Dentist · County Clerk1919–1957
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Nurses · County Clerk1922–1956
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Chiropractic · County Clerk1923–1943
- Miscellaneous Records · Register of Deeds1932–1968
- Pro. Lic. Reg., Veterinarian · County Clerk1945–1958
Open TSLA's full microfilm listing (PDF)
Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives, county records microfilm listing. Some record titles reflect the segregated record-keeping of their time. Statewide birth and death registration began in 1914, after a brief statewide attempt in 1908–1912.
Where to find the records
- Roane County official website
Hours, addresses and phone numbers for the register of deeds, the county clerk and the chancery and circuit court clerks, and any online record search the county offers.
- The register of deeds
Deeds, mortgages and other land records, usually from the county's beginning.
- The county clerk
Marriage licenses and bonds and the county court's minutes. For most of the 1800s the county court also handled wills, estates and guardians.
- The chancery and circuit court clerks
Lawsuits, including the chancery suits families used to divide land and settle estates.
- TSLA: Roane County records on microfilm (PDF)free
Every filmed volume with its years and roll number, by office.
- Tennessee State Library and Archivesfree
The state archives in Nashville, with microfilm of county records from every county.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Tennessee, Roane" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: Knox County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Knox County
Later formed partly from Roane County: Bledsoe County, Loudon County, McMinn County, Monroe County, Morgan County, Rhea County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1801, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Tennessee's county court minutes record estate settlements, guardians, road orders and much more. When a will is missing, look there and in the chancery court, where families often went to divide land.