Historic Trip to Stewart County (Paris, Henry: how much, live in, military)

[VM1138]

I recently discovered a Civil War connection to my family, which lived in Stewart County at the time. I don't know much about them except what little I can garner from the Internet, since I live a good distance from Tennessee. However, as a Civil War buff, I'm excited to learn more about the possibility of my ancestor serving in the war.

My question is this: Do any local groups or places (like the library) have good historic records? Documents, microfilm, that sort of thing. And second, how friendly are the people down there? I plan on doing some exploring (a cemetery is named after my ancestors, I want to find out why, and a historic town with no real record seems to have been named after them, too) and might need to approach locals for help.

And I guess most importantly, how much has Stewart County changed? I know absolutely nothing about it. Is it an urban area? Rural? Am I wasting my time taking a trip down to connect with my past?

[danielj72]

It is a rural area, and its full of history from the war. Im sure you know that Fort Donelson national battlefield is in that area, and fort Henry. If your interested in history the area itself is worth the trip, so if you have a local connection It gives you more incentive to visit. I dont live in that part of the state so I dont know that much about the local area, but I am sure if you contact the national park at Donelson they can direct you to the best local resources. Good luck

[BirdieBelle]

Stewart County does have some fascinating historic sites. But genealogy research has changed a LOT in the past decade. Just join Ancestry.com. They have millions of historic records online, including census, military, land grant, cemeteries, etc. I have been a member for 3 years now and have traced my family tree back to the Middle Ages.

Also, there are other websites where volunteers have documented and photographed cemeteries. Start with FindAGrave.com and look at other GenWeb sites.

I would not travel here unless you have well-supported family trees and maps of old homeplaces. There is no need to try to go to the courthouse, archives or library to look at microfilm when those documents are already online at Ancestry.com. And without a plan, you'll just be driving around Stewart County wondering where everyone lived.

[VM1138]

Thanks, I've already used the Internet as much as I can. I can find only one record of his service and it gives me nothing but his unit. Usually there are local resources that haven't been digitized yet, especially in rural areas, and these are what I'm hoping to find.

[VM1138]

Plus, as a historian, there's something extremely satisfying about making the trip and seeing things in person.

[BirdieBelle]

In that case, the Stewart Cty Historical society is the place to inquire.
I understand the opposition to Internet searching. It has helped me save time and gas, though, by letting me do some "weeding out" ahead of time.

Since you know your relative's unit, you can trace that unit's action online and find out where he actually served. Though units were mustered by county, he may nit have served at Ft. Henry or Ft. Donelson and saw a LOT of action. It is worth the trip regardless. Nearby Paris Landing State Park is lovely and has an amazing buffet.

[BirdieBelle]

In that case, the Stewart Cty Historical society is the place to inquire. I think the courthouse burned during the war .
I understand the opposition to Internet searching. It has helped me save time and gas, though, by letting me do some "weeding out" ahead of time.

Since you know your relative's unit, you can trace that unit's action online and find out where he actually served. Though units were mustered by county, he may not have served at Ft. Henry or Ft. Donelson. Its not all rural but more small town and saw a LOT of action. It is worth the trip regardless. Nearby Paris Landing State Park is lovely and has an amazing buffet.

Ft. Donelson has an excellent museum also. The state keeps some archive info and records online at www.tn.gov/tsla/history/county/factstewart.htm

[VM1138]

That link is exactly what I was looking for regarding microfilm, thanks!

[kamoshika]

If you haven't already come across it in your online research, TNGenWeb is an outstanding resource:
Stewart County, Tennessee Genealogy
Stewart County Tennessee Genealogy Research Databases
Stewart County, Tennessee Archives