Tennessee Tidbits 1778-1914, Volume I - Court Minute Genealogy

In this review of Tennessee Tidbits, 1778-1914, Volume I the bottom line is simple: this is a researcher's reference book rather than a casual history read. Compiled from original court minutes, the volume is invaluable for genealogists tracing births, deaths, divorces and other vital facts where no indexed records exist. The reviewer found the book's greatest strength is its page-by-page extraction of records from multiple Tennessee counties, making it a practical tool for filling gaps in family trees when official indexes are incomplete or absent.

Key Features

• Primary source extraction: The compiler went through court minutes page by page to capture items often missing from indexes, providing raw records useful to genealogists.
• County coverage: Volume One includes records from Blount, Davidson, Dickson, Fayette, Giles, Greene and Hardin Counties, giving focused depth for researchers with roots there.
• Additional county references: Entries reference people in many other counties and states, which helps connect family lines beyond the main counties listed.
• Vital records preserved: The book records birth dates, death notices, divorces and naturalizations when those events appear in court minutes, often supplying the only available evidence.
• Research convenience: Presenting scattered court entries in a single volume saves time compared with reading original minute books yourself.

Who It's For

This volume is best for serious genealogists, family historians and local historians researching Tennessee families between 1778 and 1914, especially if they have ancestors in the listed counties or suspect ancestors appear in court minutes. It works well as a reference volume to consult when other indexed sources come up short.

Casual readers or those seeking a narrative state history should look elsewhere; this book is a compiled collection of court-derived snippets rather than a flowing historical account. It is not designed as a beginner textbook on genealogy methodology.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates hard-to-find court-minute entries into a single searchable resource.
• Includes records that may be the only surviving evidence for certain births, deaths and legal actions.
• Provides county-specific extracts that speed targeted research in Blount, Davidson and other listed counties.

Cons

• Not a narrative history; users seeking context will need additional sources.
• Coverage is limited to the counties included in Volume One, so researchers with ancestors elsewhere may find only occasional references.

Specifications

Title	Tennessee Tidbits, 1778-1914, Volume I
Compiler/Brand	Marjorie Hood Fischer
Content source	Extracted court minutes and records
Included counties	Blount, Davidson, Dickson, Fayette, Giles, Greene, Hardin, Haywood, Hickman, Humphreys, Lincoln, Putnam, Rutherford, Washington, Williamson
Primary topics	Births, deaths, divorces, naturalizations and other genealogical entries
Time span	1778-1914

Our Verdict

Tennessee Tidbits, Volume I is a focused, high-value reference for genealogists tracking Tennessee ancestors where court minutes are the only source. It saves time by gathering dispersed entries into one place and is especially worth buying for researchers with family in the listed counties or for those facing gaps in indexed records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include indexes for the court minutes?
Answer. The compiler assembled entries from unindexed or partially indexed minute books, so the book itself functions as a compiled index of selected records rather than reproducing full minute books.

Which counties are covered in Volume One?
Answer. Volume One includes records from Blount, Davidson, Dickson, Fayette, Giles, Greene, Hardin, Haywood, Hickman, Humphreys, Lincoln, Putnam, Rutherford, Washington and Williamson Counties.

Will this replace original court records?
Answer. No; this book is a compilation of extracts that helps locate and document entries, but original court minutes remain the primary source for full context and verification.