Banks County Probate Records

Banks County was created in 1858. It was named for Dr. Richard E. Banks, a circuit-riding physician who treated the settlers and native Americans of northern Georgia and South Carolina.

The early economy in Banks County was based on cotton and corn, but this gave way to beef and poultry production in the 1920's and textile manufacturing and poultry feeds by the 1960's. Today Banks County is growing rapidly thanks to the increase in the retail and tourism industries located at Banks Crossing (Exit 149, I-85 & US 441). Banks County was created by an act of the General Assembly signed by Gov. Joseph E. Brown on Dec 11, 1858.

According to that legislation, the county was to be laid out from portions of Franklin and Habersham counties on Feb. 1, 1859, with county officers elected the next month. Georgia's 129th county was named for Dr. Richard Banks, a noted Gainesville physician and surgeon who died three years earlier. The first county courthouse was completed in 1863. It was constructed of hand-made bricks in the Greek Revival style. It is on the National Register of Historical Places and now serves as a museum and office space.

Genealogy Tips

When researching Banks County, also search in Franklin County as that was the home of so many Revolutionary War Soldiers first arriving in Georgia.