Murray County, Georgia History & Genealogy

When was Murray County, GA Created?

Murray County was established on December 3, 1832 from Cherokee County. The county was named in honor of Thomas W. Murray (1790 - 1832), famous state legislator. You can read a summary narrative history of the county in The New Georgia Encyclopedia..

What is the County Seat of Murray County, GA?

The County Seat, since 1913, has been located in Chatsworth and the current county government website is www.murraycountyga.org/. Spring Place was the county seat prior to then, and the site of the historic (Cherokee Chief) James Vann farm, and an early Moravian mission to the Cherokee Nation. The county seat was later moved to Chatsworth which had developed as a transportation hub along the railroad line between Etowah, TN and Cartersville, GA.

What counties are adjacent to Murray County, GA?

Bordering Counties are Polk County, TN (northeast), Fannin County (northeast), Gilmer County (east), Gordon County (south), Whitfield County (west), Bradley County, TN (northwest).

What cities and towns are in Murray County, GA?

Cities, towns and historic communities located in Catoosa County include Ball Ground, Carters (Quarters), Chatsworth, Cisco, Crandall, Eton, Spring Place, Ramhurst, Sumac, Tennga.

What natural and historical attractions and features are located in Walker County, GA?

The Chief Vann House Historic Site at Spring Place. Constructed in 1805 for James Vann, a Cherokee chief, the two-story red brick home was built alongside the Federal Road, a major early path in northwest Georgia.

Fort Mountain State Park. A 3,712-acre (15 km²) park in the Cohutta Mountains.

Another major asset is the Chattahoochee National Forest, which occupies a large portion of northeastern Murray County. Within the forest is the Cohutta Wilderness Area, a roadless, mountainous landscape featuring several of Georgia's premier backpacking trails.

Carters Lake, on the Coosawatee River, was formed by the Carter Dam, which is the largest earth-rock dam east of the Mississippi. The 3,200-acre (13 km²) lake attracts fishermen, boaters and campers. It was named after Farrish Carter (also namesake of Cartersville, GA), a large antebellum landowner whose summer home (originally built by Cherokee Nation Treasurer John Martin) Carter's Quarter, still stands in Murray County off Hwy 411 about 9 miles south of Chatsworth.

Lake Conasauga located near the summit of Grassy Mountain was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 and is the highest lake in Georgia at 3,150 feet (960 m) above sea level.

A listing of National Register of Historic Places listings in Murray County, Georgia can be found HERE. The online Murray County Museum maintains a list of landmarks lost, which includes a listing of historic structures no longer extant.

What historical and genealogical records can I find in the Murray County Courthouse?

The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Murray County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Georgia Corthouse Records Research Guide.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it's up to the person to carry out the research. If you need historical or genealogical research, click HERE.

• Murray County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Address: 121 N 4th Ave, Chatsworth, GA 30705
  • Phone: (706) 517-1400
  • A Look at the History of Murray Co. Courthouse in Georgia
• Murray County Clerk of Superior Court has jurisdiction over cases for title to land and equity, felony cases, adoptions, divorces, , child support and custody enforcement. The clerk also is tasked with recording deeds and maintaining the chain of title to all property in the county.
  • Phone: (706) 278-5897
  • Land Records: 1833
  • Court Records: 1833
• Murray County Clerk of Probate Court responsibilities include legal proceedings forh Wills, Estates, Guardianships of minor children, Involuntary Committals Hearings, Issuance of Marriage License, ect.. The county probate judge's office is the office where the most valuable genealogical records are created and maintained in the state of Georgia.
  • Phone: (706) 695-3812
  • Marriage Records: 1842
  • Probate Records: 1840
• Murray County Assessor's Office

Where can I find Murray County, GA Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?

Murray County vital records can be found at the Georgia Department of Health which has copies for copies of birth and death records since Jan 1919, copies of marriage since June 9, 1952 to 1996 and a Divorce records index since June 9, 1952. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Georgia for current fees and application process, and any privacy restrictions.

You can download an application for copies of Murray Co. Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate or Death Certificates to mail.

The Murray County Health Department can issue Birth, Marriage and Death certificates while you wait. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court for Divorce Records and the Probate Judge for Marriage Records.

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Murray County, GA?

A list of Murray County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Georgia Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies.

• Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, 715 Chattanooga Ave, Dalton, GA 30720; (706) 278-0217
• Murray County Museum
• Chief Vann House Historic Site (Robert E. Chambers Interpretive Center) , 82 Ga. Highway 225 N Chatsworth, GA 30705; 706-695-2598

Where can I find someone to do historical or genealogical research in Murray County, GA?

Generally the staff of public offices and local libraries and historical and genealogical societies cannot undertake extensive or detailed research for individuals beyond limited index lookups, etc. Each office can advise as to their policy. Scott Searches/Historycatcher is a professional research service that offers historical and genealogical research in Murray County, GA. Projects can range from searching records & obtaining photocopies or digital scans of documents to more complex topical research and analysis, depending on need. Other services include an on-site photography service if you need photographs of cemetery markers, or other historically significant locations, and interviews with cooperative and knowledgable local persons, including high quality digital audio recordings, verbatim transcripts, or interview summaries.

Scott Searches/Historycatcher can also assist attorneys, estate administrators, professional genealogists, amateur family historians, reunion organizers, and individuals locate living relatives or descendants through specialized forensic genealogical services, and missing persons investigations.