Records that survive
These are the record series the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has microfilmed for Scott 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 Deeds1850–1986
- Deed Index (Reverse) · Register of Deeds1850–1986
- Deeds · Register of Deeds1850–1986
- Land Entries · Register of Deeds1850–1889
- Surveyor's Book · Register of Deeds1850–1909
- Trust Deeds · Register of Deeds1892–1986
- Trust Deed Index · Register of Deeds1911–1948
Wills
- Wills · Probate Records1929–1983
Estates and guardianships
- Settlements, Adm. Exec. Guard · Probate Records1892–1938
- Estates, Claims Against · Probate Records1923–1950
- Bonds, Administrators · Probate Records1947–1985
- Bonds, Executors · Probate Records1947–1972
- Bonds, Guardian · Probate Records1947–1987
- Inventories · Probate Records1953–1971
- Inventories and Settlements · Probate Records1971–1988
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Index · County Clerk1854–1970
- Marriages · County Clerk1854–1987
Tax lists
- Tax Books · Trustee1875–1983
Military and pensions
- Military Discharges · Register of Deeds1919–1987
Court orders and minutes
- Minutes · Circuit Court1850–1928
- Minutes · County Clerk1856–1987
- Minutes · Chancery Court1858–1987
- Minutes, Monthly · County Clerk1927–1986
- Minutes, Civil · Circuit Court1928–1986
- Minutes, Criminal · Circuit Court1929–1987
- Minutes · Oneida, City of1939–1988
- Minutes · School Board1946–1988
- Minutes, Chambers · Chancery Court1961–1972
- Minutes · Huntsville, City of1965–1988
- Minutes · Winfield, City of1983–1988
Other records
- Pro. License, Physicians/Nurses · County Clerk1905–1968
- Leases, Oil and Gas · Register of Deeds1915–1939
- Miscellaneous Records · Register of Deeds1921–1986
- Cash Journal · Trustee1944–1972
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
- Find Scott County's official website
We haven't checked this county's website yet, so this opens a web search. Look for an address ending in .gov, then find the register of deeds, the county clerk and the chancery and circuit court clerks.
- 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: Scott 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, Scott" 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: Anderson County, Campbell County, Fentress County, Morgan County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Anderson County, Campbell County, Fentress County, Morgan County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1849, 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.