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Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/welcome-to-the-family-history-library Family History Library], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Alabama.  
Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/welcome-to-the-family-history-library Family History Library], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Alabama.  


*Ward, Robert David. ''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1991. {{FHL|643691|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 H23w}}
*Ward, Robert David. ''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1991. {{FHL|643691|item|disp=FS Library book 976.1 H23w}}


*Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985.) {{WorldCat|12356760|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|299450|item|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}}
*Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985.) {{WorldCat|12356760|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|299450|item|disp=FS Library book 973 H23bi}}


*Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. {{WorldCat|315166|At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|252458|item|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}
*Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. {{WorldCat|315166|At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|252458|item|disp=FS Library book 973 A3ka}}


==State Histories Useful to Genealogists==
==State Histories Useful to Genealogists==
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Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, [https://www.accessgenealogy.com/alabama/alabama-history.htm especially older histories] published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Alabama are:  
Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, [https://www.accessgenealogy.com/alabama/alabama-history.htm especially older histories] published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Alabama are:  


*''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' Two Volumes. Madison, Wisconsin: Brant and Fuller, 1893. {{FHL|216594|item|disp=FHL film 934817; book 976.1 H2m}} A digitized version is available through the FamilySearch Catalog entry.
*''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' Two Volumes. Madison, Wisconsin: Brant and Fuller, 1893. {{FHL|216594|item|disp=FS Library film 934817; book 976.1 H2m}} A digitized version is available through the FamilySearch Catalog entry.


*Brown, Lynda W. ''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. {{FHL|730251|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 H2bL}} This contains information about American Indian tribes; European exploration and colonization; territorial and formative periods; and Antebellum, Confederate, Reconstruction, and later periods. Each chronological period is subdivided into subjects, such as education, arts, diaries, industry, migrations, and religion.
*Brown, Lynda W. ''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. {{FHL|730251|item|disp=FS Library book 976.1 H2bL}} This contains information about American Indian tribes; European exploration and colonization; territorial and formative periods; and Antebellum, Confederate, Reconstruction, and later periods. Each chronological period is subdivided into subjects, such as education, arts, diaries, industry, migrations, and religion.


For 1798 to 1819, ''[[The Territorial Papers of the United States]]'' contain petitions, memorials, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama:  
For 1798 to 1819, ''[[The Territorial Papers of the United States]]'' contain petitions, memorials, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama:  


*''The Territorial Papers of the United States''. 26 volumes. National Archives Microfilm Publication, M0721. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1934–1962. {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL films 929376–91; book 973 N2udt}} See volumes five and six on {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 929379}} for records of the Territory of Mississippi, which included present-day Alabama. These volumes cover 1798 to 1817 and include lists of residents for 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812 (lists of aliens in 1812), 1814, and 1815. Volume 18 on {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 929386}} has records pertaining to the Territory of Alabama, including land sales, employment and dismissal, commission, power of attorney, postmaster correspondence, government business, court, election candidate, and Indian affairs records. Each volume is indexed. Records are digitized and available through the FamilySearch Catalog entry.
*''The Territorial Papers of the United States''. 26 volumes. National Archives Microfilm Publication, M0721. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1934–1962. {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FS Library films 929376–91; book 973 N2udt}} See volumes five and six on {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FS Library film 929379}} for records of the Territory of Mississippi, which included present-day Alabama. These volumes cover 1798 to 1817 and include lists of residents for 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812 (lists of aliens in 1812), 1814, and 1815. Volume 18 on {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FS Library film 929386}} has records pertaining to the Territory of Alabama, including land sales, employment and dismissal, commission, power of attorney, postmaster correspondence, government business, court, election candidate, and Indian affairs records. Each volume is indexed. Records are digitized and available through the FamilySearch Catalog entry.


For the period to 1821 see:  
For the period to 1821 see:  


*Beers, Henry Putney. ''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, 1989. {{FHL|591607|item|disp=FHL book 976.3 H23b}} Section III discusses the history, government, and land and church records of the area of Louisiana that is in present-day Alabama.
*Beers, Henry Putney. ''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, 1989. {{FHL|591607|item|disp=FS Library book 976.3 H23b}} Section III discusses the history, government, and land and church records of the area of Louisiana that is in present-day Alabama.


*Pickett, Albert James. ''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period''. Sheffield, Alabama: R.C. Randolph, 1896. {{FHL|192476|item|disp=FHL film 924406; book 976.1 H2p}}This book lists historical events in chronological order, from the early history to about 1820. Digitized version available through FamilySearch Catalog entry.
*Pickett, Albert James. ''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period''. Sheffield, Alabama: R.C. Randolph, 1896. {{FHL|192476|item|disp=FS Library film 924406; book 976.1 H2p}}This book lists historical events in chronological order, from the early history to about 1820. Digitized version available through FamilySearch Catalog entry.


*Owen, Thomas McAdory. ''History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography.'' 4 vols. Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1921. Digital versions at: [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/449100-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-1?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 1 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/432463-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-2?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 2 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/427457-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-3?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 3 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/451580-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-4?offset=1 Vol. 4 FamilySearch Digital Library].
*Owen, Thomas McAdory. ''History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography.'' 4 vols. Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1921. Digital versions at: [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/449100-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-1?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 1 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/432463-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-2?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 2 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/427457-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-3?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= Vol. 3 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/451580-history-of-alabama-and-dictionary-of-alabama-biography-vol-4?offset=1 Vol. 4 FamilySearch Digital Library].
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The following are only a few of the many sources that are available:  
The following are only a few of the many sources that are available:  


*Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' (Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983.) {{WorldCat|9392978|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|531408|item|disp=FHL book 973 H2alm}}This book provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.
*Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' (Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983.) {{WorldCat|9392978|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|531408|item|disp=FS Library book 973 H2alm}}This book provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.


*''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976.) {{WorldCat|2507380|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|76529|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 H2ad}}Includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations.
*''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976.) {{WorldCat|2507380|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|76529|title-id|disp=FS Library book 973 H2ad}}Includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations.


*Van Doren, Charles Lincoln; Robert McHenry, ''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. (Springfield, Mass.: G and C Merriam, 1971.) {{WorldCat|142893|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|280192|item|disp=FHL book 973 H2v}} Includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.
*Van Doren, Charles Lincoln; Robert McHenry, ''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. (Springfield, Mass.: G and C Merriam, 1971.) {{WorldCat|142893|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|280192|item|disp=FS Library book 973 H2v}} Includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.


*American Historical Association, ''Writings on American History'' (Washington, D.C.:American Historical Association,1960-1960) {{WorldCat|1770230|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|244514|item|disp=FHL book 973 H23w}}Full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ& Google Books]
*American Historical Association, ''Writings on American History'' (Washington, D.C.:American Historical Association,1960-1960) {{WorldCat|1770230|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|244514|item|disp=FS Library book 973 H23w}}Full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ& Google Books]


'''Draper Manuscript Collection.''' Look for Alabama ancestors 1740-1830 in the '''[[Draper Manuscript Collection]]'''. These manuscripts cover the history of the "trans-Allegheny West," a region including the west Carolinas and Virginia, all the Ohio River Valley, and part of the upper Mississippi Valley. There are 491 volumes of partially-indexed manuscripts, papers, and books.  
'''Draper Manuscript Collection.''' Look for Alabama ancestors 1740-1830 in the '''[[Draper Manuscript Collection]]'''. These manuscripts cover the history of the "trans-Allegheny West," a region including the west Carolinas and Virginia, all the Ohio River Valley, and part of the upper Mississippi Valley. There are 491 volumes of partially-indexed manuscripts, papers, and books.  
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