Historical and Genealogical Research

For about three years I have researched Georgia courthouse disasters. The goal is to publish the definitive guide to the subject. So far I have documented almost 100 disaster events in 80 counties. Out of all the counties, one has me completely stumped. Can you help figure this out?

Paulding County, Georgia, was created on 3 December 1832 from original Cherokee County. It is located west of Atlanta, one county over from Alabama. On 1 April 1852, Polk County was cut from Paulding, taking the western half of the parent county.

Deed records begin in 1848, wills in 1850, and probate minutes in 1866. Marriages are the only record that appear to survive from the start of the county.

According to the GeorgiaInfo history about Paulding County, the first courthouse was built in Van Wert and “reportedly this structure later burned.” Whatever happened, the county borrowed money and constructed a new courthouse in the 1850s. The current courthouse was built in 1892.

I have been unable to locate a contemporary record of this possible courthouse fire. Searches in Columbus, Milledgeville, and Macon newspapers have yielded no information. I have yet to find any mention of what happened in Superior or Inferior Court minutes (reading page by page).

If you know anything about the loss of Paulding County records, let me know. If you can prove what happened with contemporary documents (primary sources), I will credit you in the book.