Monroe County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Monroe County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Monroe County was created on 29 June 1815 and was named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.[2] Its county seat is Monroeville[3] It is located in the southwestern area of the state.
County Courthouse
Monroe County Courthouse Square
65 North Alabama Avenue
Monroeville, AL 36460
Phone: 251-743-2283
Fax: 251-575-5933
Monroe County Website
Courthouse Fire destroyed all records prior to 1833
Probate Judge has marriage probate and land record from 1832[4]
Monroe County, Alabama Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1881 | 1832 | 1908 | 1833 | 1832 | 1832 | 1816 |
Record Loss
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Monroe County had a destructive courthouse fire in 1833. See Research in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide page 28 for suggested alternative sources to overcome this loss. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Monroe County:[7]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
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| Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- Monroe County, Alabama Bible Records at Access Genealogy
- Monroe County, Alabama Bible Records at Alabama Genealogy
- Monroe County Bible Records at USGenWeb Archives Project
Biographies
- Northern Alabama, Historical and Biographical. Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land, 1888. Pg. 237. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 8,838 | — |
| 1830 | 8,782 | −0.6% |
| 1840 | 10,680 | 21.6% |
| 1850 | 12,013 | 12.5% |
| 1860 | 15,667 | 30.4% |
| 1870 | 14,214 | −9.3% |
| 1880 | 17,091 | 20.2% |
| 1890 | 18,990 | 11.1% |
| 1900 | 23,666 | 24.6% |
| 1910 | 27,155 | 14.7% |
| 1920 | 28,884 | 6.4% |
| 1930 | 30,070 | 4.1% |
| 1940 | 29,465 | −2.0% |
| 1950 | 25,732 | −12.7% |
| 1960 | 22,372 | −13.1% |
| 1970 | 20,883 | −6.7% |
| 1980 | 22,651 | 8.5% |
| 1990 | 23,968 | 5.8% |
| 2000 | 24,324 | 1.5% |
| 2010 | 23,068 | −5.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State Census
- 1855 Alabama State Census, 1855 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1866 Alabama State Census, 1866 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Church Records
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Alabama denominations, view the Alabama Church Records wiki page.
- 1831-1994 Alabama, Church Records, 1831-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
- 1846-1860 Court Case Files, 1846-1860, Monroe County, Alabama(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1909-1919 Court Minutes, 1909-1919(*); Chancery Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Monroe County, Alabama Loose Papers at Alabama Genealogical Society – index; links to FamilySearch images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 1865-1872 Alabama, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- See obituary abstracts from the African-American newspaper, The Eagle, in the Newspaper section below. Section below also contains community news, marriage and birth announcements.
Funeral Homes
- Banks Memorial Funeral Home and Cremations in Monroeville
- Johnson Funeral Home and Monuments in Monroeville
- Jones Unity Funeral Home in Monroeville
- Monroe Chapel in Frisco City
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Monroe County see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Monroe County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2009. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes surname index. FS Library Book 976.125 E7b.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Monroe County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Monroe County (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Alabama Maps and Blueprints Collection at Alabama Department of Archives and History – maps can be browsed by location or subject
Migration
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- ca.1918-ca.1962 Alabama, Military Discharge Records, ca.1918 - ca.1962 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, images at partner site
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, images at partner site
- 1861-1865 Civil War Service Database at Alabama Department of Archives and History - index
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry
- 1871-1880 Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1880-1930 Alabama, Confederate Pension Applications, ca. 1880-1930's at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Alabama Civil War and Reconstruction Newspapers at Alabama Department of Archives and History
Regiments. Men in Monroe County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Monroe County:
- - 1st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company E "J. Powell's Dragoons"
- - 1st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company H "Sandy Williams' Guards"
- - 2nd Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company H
- - 2nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C
- - 3rd Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company B [formerly, Co. "M", Wirt Adams' Cavalry]
- - 4th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry (Russell's), Company A [formerly 3rd TN Cavalry]
- - 5th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D "Monroe Guards"
- - 17th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H
- - 23rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E
- - 36th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F and G
- - 42nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company A and H
- - 42nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H
World War I
- 1917-1919 Alabama, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1917-1918 Alabama World War I Service Records at Alabama Department of Archives and History - alpha index by name and images
- 1917-1918 Alabama World War I Gold Star Files at Alabama Department of Archives and History - alpha index by name and images
World War II
- 1940-1945 Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1940-1966 Alabama Active Military Service Reports at Alabama Department of Archives and History - alpha index by name and images
Naturalization and Citizenship
- 1855-1969 Alabama, U.S. District Court Naturalization Records, 1855-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Northern and Southern Districts of Alabama
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Alabama, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Alabama Civil War and Reconstruction Newspapers at Alabama Department of Archives and History
- Alabama Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
Obituaries
Other Records
Voter Registration
- 1834-1981 Alabama Voter Registration and Poll Tax Cards, 1834-1981 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, index & images
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1753–1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry ($)
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images; coverage may vary
- 1816-1933 Record of Orders, 1816-1821, 1833-1933(*); Orphans' and Probate Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1830-1976 Alabama Estate Files, 1830-1976(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images; coverage may vary
- 1840-1930 Alabama, Monroe County, Monroeville, Probate Record, 1840-1930(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1896-1958 Alabama, Monroe County, Monroeville, Estate Case Files, 1896-1958(*); Probate and Circuit Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
- 1816 Inhabitants of Alabama in 1816. Broken Arrow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1955. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library. Includes Monroe County.
- 1865-1866 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry - index ($). Monroe County is in District 1.
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Alabama State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth
- 1881–1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1930 Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and some images
- Monroe County Births at ALGenWeb
Marriage
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1800-1969 Alabama, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1969 at Ancestry ($)
- 1802-1825 Alabama, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1802-1825 at Ancestry ($)
- 1809-1920 Alabama, U.S., Compiled Marriages from Selected Counties, 1809-1920 at Ancestry ($)
- 1809–1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and some images
- 1816–1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1818-1936 Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1833-1895 Monroe County Marriage Books A and B Index 1833-1895. Batch M593381 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1895 Monroe County Marriage Books C and D Index 1881-1895. Batch M593382 at FamilySearch
- Marriages at ALGenWeb
Death
- 1881–1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1974 Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry ($)
- 1908-1959 Alabama, U.S., Death Index, 1908-1959 at Ancestry ($)
- 1908-1974 Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- Deaths at ALGenWeb
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Alabama Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Ave
PO Box 300100
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 334-242-4435
Email: mark.palmer@archives.alabama.gov
Website
Facebook
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Atmore Alabama FamilySearch Center
- Camden Alabama FamilySearch Center
- Monroe Alabama FamilySearch Center
- West Florida Public Library - Century Branch - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Monroe County. For state-wide library facilities, see Alabama Archives and Libraries.
Monroe County Public Library
121 Pineville Road
Monroeville, AL 36460
Phone: 251-743-3818
Email: director@moncolib.org
Website
Facebook
Museums
Monroe County Heritage Museum
31 N Alabama Ave
Monroeville, AL 36460
Phone: 251-575-7433
Email: mchm@frontiernet.net
Website
Facebook
Publication: Quarterly Newsletter
Societies
Websites
- USGenWeb project may have maps, name indexes, history, or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Monroe County, ALGenWeb. May have genealogical resources; part of the national USGenWeb Project
- USGenWeb Archives Project. Record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Monroe County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Monroe, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_County,_Alabama 6/013/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Monroe County, Alabama. Page 39 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 34.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Monroe County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_County,_Alabama, accessed 23 October 2018.