FULTON COUNTY, GA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

Official History of Fulton County by Walter Gerald Cooper (1934) – 930 Pages
Source: Family Search
Book ID: CH.2025.06.24.2328.FS

Fulton County, Georgia: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of the metro Atlanta area in north-central Georgia, Fulton County is one of the most historically significant counties in the state. For genealogists, its past is defined by its origins as the transportation hub “Terminus,” its pivotal and destructive role during the Civil War, and a massive, unique expansion in 1932 that absorbed two entire neighboring counties.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Fulton County’s complex relationship with its parent county and the two former counties it annexed is a critical piece of information for researchers tracing family lines in the metro Atlanta region.

  • Year of Creation: 1853.
  • Parent County: It was formed entirely from the western half of DeKalb County. Researchers seeking records that pre-date 1853 must consult the records of DeKalb County.
  • Original Territory & Major Territorial Changes: Unlike most counties that lose territory to create “daughter” counties, Fulton County grew dramatically. The most significant territorial change in its history occurred on January 1, 1932, when, as a cost-saving measure during the Great Depression, Fulton County annexed two entire counties:
    • Milton County (to the north): All records for this area prior to 1932 are filed under Milton County.
    • Campbell County (to the south): All records for this area prior to 1932 are filed under Campbell County.This triple-county heritage means researchers must know the specific location and time period to search in the correct county’s records.
  • Boundary Changes: Aside from the monumental 1932 annexations, the county’s boundaries have seen minor adjustments but have been largely stable since that time.
  • Bordering Counties:
    • Cherokee County (north)
    • Forsyth County (north)
    • Gwinnett County (east)
    • DeKalb County (east)
    • Clayton County (south)
    • Fayette County (south)
    • Coweta County (southwest)
    • Carroll County (west)
    • Douglas County (west)

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the area was a borderland between the Creek (Muscogee) Nation to the south and the Cherokee Nation to the north, with the Chattahoochee River serving as a rough boundary. The land was ceded to Georgia through treaties in the 1820s and 1830s, leading to the forced removal of Native American populations known as the Trail of Tears.
  • First Pioneers and Settlement: The area’s settlement was driven by the railroad. In 1837, the site was chosen as the southern terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, and the settlement was named “Terminus.” It was renamed Marthasville in 1843 and incorporated as “Atlanta” in 1847. The county was created six years later and named for Robert Fulton, the acclaimed inventor of the steamboat.
  • Civil War Significance: Fulton County and the city of Atlanta were at the epicenter of the Civil War’s western theater. As a critical railway hub and a major industrial and supply center for the Confederacy, Atlanta was a primary target for the Union army. In 1864, the “Atlanta Campaign” under Union General William T. Sherman brought a series of bloody battles to the county’s doorstep, including the Battle of Peachtree Creek, the Battle of Atlanta, and the Battle of Ezra Church. After a month-long siege, Sherman captured the city in September 1864. Before beginning his infamous “March to the Sea” in November, he ordered the destruction of all military and industrial assets, leading to a fire that consumed much of the city.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records.

  • County Seat: Atlanta, Georgia. This has been the only county seat since the county’s formation.
  • Record Loss & Preservation: Fulton County is a “burned” county, which presents a significant challenge for genealogists. The courthouse was destroyed by fire during the turmoil of Sherman’s occupation in 1864. Many surviving records were then destroyed in another courthouse fire in 1917. As a result, records from before the Civil War are extremely scarce, and later records can be incomplete.
  • Location of Records:
    • Fulton County Courthouse: Located at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. This is the repository for surviving historical records. Due to record loss, researchers often need to supplement their work with other resources.
    • Georgia Archives: Located in Morrow, GA, this is the primary state archive and an essential resource for any Fulton County researcher. It holds state-level records, including tax digests, land records, and military files that can help fill the gaps left by the courthouse fires.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Georgia began in 1919. Records can be requested from the Fulton County Vital Records office or the Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records.
    • Marriage Records: The collection of marriage licenses is largely incomplete before 1917 due to the courthouse fires. The most reliable records begin after this date.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System: The Central Library in downtown Atlanta houses a significant genealogy and local history collection, including city directories, newspapers on microfilm, and published family histories that are invaluable for research in a burned county.

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