About the Vital Records Index
The Valdosta Daily Times Vital Records Index is a record of birth announcements, death notices/obituaries, engagement announcements, and wedding announcements found in the Valdosta Daily Times from 1868-2010.
Currently, our volunteers are adding material each semester to bring the index up through the present. This dataset also includes GENDEX. Gendex is a genealogical index of death records for the Valdosta Daily Times from the years 1868-1988. It was originally created by Valdosta's South Georgia Regional Library in print form.
Odum Library holds the Valdosta Daily Times on microfilm for in-person research.
History of the Valdosta Daily Times
(Source: Valdosta & Lowndes County: through our eyes, 2017)
The Valdosta Daily Times traces its origins back to March 20, 1867, when it began as The South Georgia Times. Founded by Philip Coleman Pendleton, the newspaper initially served as a weekly publication aiming to support Valdosta's growth and community life during a critical period of regional rebuilding following the Civil War. Over the ensuing decades, the publication evolved, changing its name to The Valdosta Times and later transitioning to a bi-weekly format, reflecting its increasing role in the community's development.
In October 1905, prompted by intense public interest in local events such as the Rawlins murder trial, the newspaper officially became The Valdosta Daily Times, expanding its publication to daily frequency. This shift enabled it to provide timely, comprehensive coverage of important news and events in Valdosta and Lowndes County. Throughout the 20th century, notable figures such as editor C. C. Brantley and publisher E. L. Turner significantly shaped the paper, guiding it through major historical milestones and solidifying its position as an essential local institution.
Today, The Valdosta Daily Times continues its longstanding mission as Valdosta's primary source for local news, community updates, and historical reflection, remaining deeply embedded in the cultural and civic life of the region.
