Welcome
to the Heart of East Tennessee!

Jefferson County, formed in 1792 from Hawkinsand Greene Counties, is located in East Tennessee, one of the state's three "grand divisions."   Jefferson is bordered by "sister" counties Knox and Grainger, and its "children," Cocke, Sevier, and Hamblen Counties.

The Jefferson County TNGenWeb site went "live" in July, 1996.  Since that time, thousands of genealogists and historians have stopped by to gather information about their families and the communities.

Many of them left information for other researchers.  If you have transcribed data to share, please contact the site hostess (e-mail link at the bottom of the page).  Additionally, check the "Help Wanted" page to see what transcription projects are on-going.

Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions
about Jefferson County Research

• Question:   Is Dandridge really the second-oldest town in Tennessee?
  Answer:  It depends on the source and the benchmark being used.  Dandridge's government was formed in 1783.  Its claim to be the second-oldest city has recently been disputed by the county's official historian, but the subject is open to debate.
  
  
• Question:  Where did Dandridge get its name?
  Answer:  Dandridge, the county seat, was named for George Washington's beloved wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.  It is the only city in the United States that bears that name.
  
  
• Question:  Are the first two volumes of Stories in Stone (cemetery transcriptions) available?
  Answer:  They are currently out-of-print.  The Jefferson County Genealogical Society has talked about reprinting them.

	Jefferson County's flag, which features the 156-year-old Courthouse, was designed and painted by local artist Helen Lowe in celebration of the Tennessee Bicentennial in 1996.  The original full-color painting is on display at the Jefferson County Museum in Dandridge.  Limited edition, signed-and-numbered reprints are available.  Contact the Jefferson County Genealogical Society for details.