Russell County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Russell 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
Russell County was created on 18 December 1832 and was named for Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians.[2] Its county seat is Phenix.[3] It is located in the east-central area of the state.
County Courthouse
Russell County Courthouse
501 14th St
Phenix City, Alabama 36867
Phone: 334-298-0516
Fax:
334-297-6250
Russel County Website
County Health Department has birth and death records.
Clerk Circuit Court has divorce and court records.
Judge of Probate has marriage probate and land records.[4]
Russell 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 |
| 1934 | 1833 | 1934 | 1832 | 1832 | 1837 | 1816 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Russell County:[7]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
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| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- Russell County Bible Records at USGenWeb Archives Project
Biographies
- Northern Alabama, Historical and Biographical. Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land, 1888. Pg. 214. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, HathiTrust.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 13,513 | — |
| 1850 | 19,548 | 44.7% |
| 1860 | 26,592 | 36.0% |
| 1870 | 21,636 | −18.6% |
| 1880 | 24,837 | 14.8% |
| 1890 | 24,093 | −3.0% |
| 1900 | 27,083 | 12.4% |
| 1910 | 25,937 | −4.2% |
| 1920 | 27,448 | 5.8% |
| 1930 | 27,377 | −0.3% |
| 1940 | 35,775 | 30.7% |
| 1950 | 40,364 | 12.8% |
| 1960 | 46,351 | 14.8% |
| 1970 | 45,394 | −2.1% |
| 1980 | 47,356 | 4.3% |
| 1990 | 46,860 | −1.0% |
| 2000 | 49,756 | 6.2% |
| 2010 | 52,947 | 6.4% |
| 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
- Russell 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
Funeral Homes
- Battle and Battle Funeral Home in Phenix City
- Colonial Funeral Home and Crematory in Phenix City
- Stovall Funeral Home in Hurtsboro
- Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Phenix City
- Taylor Funeral Home in Phenix City
- Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix 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.
The FamilySearch Catalog has a collection of images of Russell County land records entitled, "Deed and mortgage records, 1833-1904; general index, 1836-1908."
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 Russell 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)
- 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 Russell 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 Russell County:
- - 6th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H [subsequently, Company C]
- - 6th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company J "Russell Volunteers" [subsequently, Company F]
- - 15th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company A (Cantey Rifles)
- - 17th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G
- - 33rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K
- - 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company I and K
- - 37th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D
- - 39th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E
- - 45th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D and F
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
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
Obituaries
Other Records
Voter Registration
- 1834-1981 Alabama Voter Registration and Poll Tax Cards, 1834-1981 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and some images
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1753–1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry ($)
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images; coverage may vary
- 1826-1915 Index and Probate Estate Case Files, 1826-1915, Russell County, Alabama(*); Probate and County Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1828-1873 Images of Wills 1828-1839; 1850-1873 at Southeastern Genealogy ($)
- 1830-1976 Alabama Estate Files, 1830-1976(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images; coverage may vary
- 1837-1942 Probate Records, 1837-1942(*); Probate and County Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1838-1847 Orphans' Court Minutes, 1838-1847(*); Orphans' and County Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1838-1942 Will Records, 1838-1942(*); Probate and County Courts at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1843-1848 Russell County, Alabama, Orphans Court Docket Book, 1843-1848(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1900 Estate Case File Index, 1900, Russell County, Alabama(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
- 1865-1866 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry - index ($). Russell County is in District 2.
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 $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth
- 1881-1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1930 Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, and some images
Marriage
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 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 ($)
- 1809-1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and some images
- 1816-1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1818-1936 Alabama County Marriages, 1818-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1834-1895 Russell County Marriage Index 1834-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch [8]
Death
- 1881-1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1881-1974 Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry ($)
- 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
Divorce
FamilySearch Catalog
- Births, 1909-1913; deaths, 1909-1941
- Delayed birth certificates, 1943-1962
- Marriage records and licenses, 1834-1950
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
- Auburn Alabama FamilySearch Center
- Columbus Georgia FamilySearch Center
- Chattahoochee Valley Public Library -multiple locations - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Russell County. For state-wide library facilities, see Alabama Archives and Libraries.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College Learning Resource Center
Owen Hall
2602 College Drive
Phenix City, AL 36869
Phone: 334-230-5184
Email: lrc@cv.edu
Website
Facebook
Phenix City-Russell County Library
1501 17th Avenue
Phenix City, AL 36867
Phone: 334-297-1139
Email: pcrcl1501@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Museums
Societies
Genealogical Society of East Alabama
205 South 10th Street
PO Box 2892
Opelika, AL 36803-2892
Email: gsofea@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Russell County ALGenWeb.
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- USGenWeb Archives Project. Record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Russell 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, "Russell, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_County,_Alabama 6/26/2017.
- ↑ 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), Russell County, Alabama. Page 37 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), 33.
- ↑ 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, "Russell County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_County,_Alabama, accessed 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/c/cf/Igialabamals.pdf.