Alabama Archives and Libraries: Difference between revisions

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Most archives and libraries collect records about local residents (biographies, family histories, and local histories) and about nearby places (maps, gazetteers, and place-finding aids). They often compile reference helps and special indexes to important local sources. In many communities they serve as a meeting place for local historical and genealogical societies, and may be able to provide referrals to people who are willing to look up information in local records. Before you visit an archive or a library, contact them and ask for information on their collection, hours, services, and fees.
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Archives and Libraries|U.S. Archives & Libraries]]
| link3=[[Alabama, United States Genealogy|Alabama]]
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| link5=[[Alabama Archives and Libraries|Archives & Libraries]]<br>
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{{AL-sidebar}}
{{TOC left}}These repositories preserve sources, maintain indexes, and provide services to help genealogists document their ancestors who lived in Alabama.<br>


== Wiki Articles on Major Repositories in Alabama  ==
When one of these institutions is referred to elsewhere in this outline, return to this section for the address.


[[National Archives at Atlanta]]{{·}} [[Alabama Department of Archives and History]]{{·}} [[Alabama Historical Association]]{{·}} [[Auburn University Libraries]]{{·}} [[Birmingham Public Library]]{{·}} [[Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]]{{·}} Huntsville-Madison County Public Library{{·}} [[Mobile Municipal Archives]]{{·}} [[Mobile Public Library]]{{·}} [[Samford University Library]]{{·}} [[University of Alabama Libraries]]{{·}} [[Wallace State Community College Library]]{{·}} [[Dallas Public Central Library]] TX{{·}} [[Evans Memorial Library]] Aberdeen MS
The Family History Library has copies of many of the records found in archives and libraries, but most repositories will have additional sources.
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>


== Online Records of Alabama ==
Many archives and libraries have helpful sources for locating information about Alabama, such as maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids. They frequently have collections of previous research, such as family and local histories and biographies. Many have record-finding aids, such as guides to their own collections or inventories of records housed elsewhere in the state. Archives and libraries near state boundaries usually collect records relating to the adjacent states.


{| style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
The following archives, libraries, and societies have collections or services helpful to genealogical researchers:
| <div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Alabama Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>{{DCfollowup}}<br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1770 Alabama, Surname Files, 1901–2005] ($). Index. Alabama Department of Archives and History collection of newspaper clippings, obituaries, local and family histories, donated family research and records, extracts from censuses, etc.
*[http://www.alabamamosaic.org/ Alabama Mosaic] has digitized records from archives and libraries across the state, including oral histories and records, such as probate, naturalization, and military.[[Image:NARA Atlanta.jpg|thumb|right|280px|National Archives at Atlanta (Morrow, GA)]]


== National Repositories ==
'''Alabama Department of Archives and History'''<br>624 Washington Avenue<br>Montgomery, AL 36130-0100 <br>Telephone: 334-242-4435 <br>Fax: 334-240-3433 <br>''''''E-mail: '''[mailto:ndupree@archives.state.al.us ndupree@archives.state.al.us] <br>'''Internet address: '''[http://www.archives.state.al.us/ www.archives.state.al.us]<br>'''
===[[National Archives at Atlanta]]===
5780 Jonesboro Road<br>Morrow, Georgia 30260 USA<br>Phone: 770-968-2100<br>Fax: 770-968-2547<br>Email: [mailto:atlanta.archives@nara.gov atlanta.archives@nara.gov]<br>Internet: [http://www.archives.gov/southeast/ National Archives at Atlanta]
|}
{| style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|
:Records from over 100 federal agencies and courts in '''Alabama''', Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Also includes Vice Admiralty Courts of SC, evolution of federal courts, Constitutional rights, Revolutionary War, Civil War, reconstruction, World Wars I and II, and space exploration. Microfilms for censuses, diplomatic missions, military service records, bounty-land applications, passenger arrival lists, naturalizations, American Indians, and African Americans.<ref name="DB127">William Dollarhide and Ronald A. Bremer. ''America's Best Genealogy Resource Centers'' (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998), 127-28. {{WorldCat|39493985}}; {{FSC|728550|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J54d}}.</ref>
[[Image:Alabama Department of Archives and History.jpg|thumb|right|280px|AL Dept of Archives {{amp}} History in Montgomery]]
== Statewide Repositories ==
===Alabama Dept of Archives and History===
'''[[Alabama Department of Archives and History]]'''<br>
'''Mailing address:''' P.O. Box 300100<br>'''Street address:''' 624 Washington Avenue<br>Montgomery, AL 36130-0100 USA<br>Telephone: 334-242-4435 <br>Fax: 334-240-3433<br>Email: [mailto:n.dupree@archives.alabama.gov n.dupree@archives.alabama.gov]<br>Internet: [http://www.archives.alabama.gov/ Alabama Department of Archives and History]
|}
:Start here if you are researching Alabama ancestors. Every county has local records such as marriages, deeds, and the associated indexes.<ref name="DB11">Dollarhide and Bremer, 11.</ref>


:The Department of Archives and History (closed Mondays) has the following records: federal and state censuses; vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce); county records (deeds, wills, and other probate records); land, military, and military discharge records (DD214s); surname files; city directories; African-American records (Reconstruction to the present); American Indian records; and immigration and naturalization records.
The mailing address is:<br>P.O. Box 300100 <br>Montgomery, AL 36130-0100


===[[Alabama Historical Association]]===
The Department of Archives and History (closed Mondays) has the following records: federal and state censuses; vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce); county records (deeds, wills, and other probate records); land, military, and military discharge records (DD214s); surname files; city directories; African-American records (Reconstruction to the present); American Indian records; and immigration and naturalization records.
PO Box 456<br>Livingston, AL 35470 USA<br>Email: [mailto:alabamahistory@gmail.com alabamahistory@gmail.com]<br>Internet: [http://www.alabamahistory.net/ Alabama Historical Association]


:Holds annual meetings and publishes ''The Alabama Review''. ({{WorldCat|909782198}}).<ref>[http://www.alabamahistory.net/ Alabama Historical Association] (accessed 6 November 2015).</ref>
'''National Archives'''—Southeast Region (Atlanta)<br>5780 Jonesboro Road<br>Morrow, Georgia 30260<br>Phone: 770-968-2100<br>E-mail: '''[mailto://atlanta.archives@nara.gov/ atlanta.archives@nara.gov]'''<br>Internet address: '''http://www.archives.gov/southeast/'''
[[Image:Ralph Brown Draughon Library Auburn University.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Ralph B Draughon Library Auburn University]]


== Regional Repositories ==
'''Birmingham Public Library'''<br>2100 Park Place<br>Birmingham, AL 35203 <br>Telephone: 205-226-3665 <br>''''''E-mail: '''[mailto:jpate@bham.lib.al.us jpate@bham.lib.al.us] <br>'''Internet address: '''[http://www.bham.lib.al.us/ www.bham.lib.al.us/]'''
===[[Auburn University Libraries]]===
RBD Library Special Collections Department<br>231 Mell Street<br>Auburn University, AL 36849 USA<br>Telephone: 334-844-4500 or 800-446-0387<br>Email: [mailto:askalibrarian@auburn.edu askalibrarian@auburn.edu]<br>Internet: [http://libguides.auburn.edu/genealogy Genealogy]


:The R.B. Draughon library has a large genealogical collection including censuses, books and periodicals, local and state histories, family histories, passenger arrival lists, Confederate soldier lists, and genealogical website links.<ref name="DB11" /> <ref>[http://libguides.auburn.edu/content.php?pid=255786{{amp}}sid=2111985 Genealogy] in ''Auburn University Archives'' (accessed 8 November 2015).</ref>
'''Samford University Library'''<br>Special Collection Department<br>800 Lakeshore Drive<br>Birmingham, AL 35229 <br>Telephone: 205-726-2749 <br>Fax: 205-726-2642 <br>Internet address: '''http://library.samford.edu/about/special.html'''
[[Image:Linn-HenleyResearchLibrary.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Linn-Henley Research Library in Birmingham]]
===[[Birmingham Public Library]]===
Linn-Henley Research Library<br>2100 Park Place<br>Birmingham, AL 35203 USA<br>Telephone: 205-226-3665 <br>Email: [mailto:askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us]<br>Internet: [http://www.bplonline.org/ Birmingham Public Library online]


:Book, periodicals, maps, and family folders.<ref name="DB11" />
'''Mobile Public Library'''<br>Local History Dept. <br>704 Government Street<br>Mobile, AL 36602-1499 <br>Telephone: 334-208-7093 <br>Fax: 334-208-5866 <br>E-mail: '''[mailto:mpllhg@acan.net mpllhg@acan.net]'''<br>Internet address: '''[http://www.mplonline.org/ www.mplonline.org]'''


===[[Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]]===
'''William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library'''<br>University of Alabama <br>Second Floor<br>Mary Harmon Bryant Hall<br>500 Hackberry Lane<br>Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266 <br>Telephone: 205-348-0500 <br>Fax: 205-348-1699 <br>E-mail: '''[mailto:archives@bama.ua.edu archives@bama.ua.edu]'''<br>Internet address: '''[http://www.lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole/ www.lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole/]'''
350 N Wood Ave<br>Florence, AL 35630<br>Telephone: 256-764-6564<br>Email: [http://www.flpl.org/contact/ Contact us] form<br>Internet: [http://www.flpl.org/ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]  


:They have very good collections of American Civil War records, genealogy, and local history.<ref name="DB11" />
The mailing address is:<br>P.O. Box 870266 <br>Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266


===Huntsville-Madison County Public Library===
Special Collections<br>915 Monroe St SW<br> Huntsville, AL 35801 USA<br>Telephone: 256-532-5969<br>Email: [mailto:hhrdept@hmcpl.org hhrdept@hmcpl.org]<br>Internet: [http://hmcpl.org/departments/hhr Special Collections]


:This library has the best genealogical collection for Alabama families. It is a good place to start research for Alabama sources during any time period. They also have a good southern states collection.<ref name="DB11" />


===[[Mobile Municipal Archives]]===
'''Auburn University'''<br>Special Collections Department<br>Auburn University Libraries<br>231 Mell Street<br>Auburn University, AL 36849<br>Phone: 334-844-4500 or 800-446-0387<br>Internet: '''http://www.lib.auburn.edu/special/'''
'''Mailing address:''' P.O. Box 1827<br>'''Street address:''' 457 Church Street<br>Mobile, Alabama 36633-1827 USA<br>Telephone: 251-208-7740<br>Fax: 251-208-7428<br>Email: [mailto:archives@cityofmobile.org archives@cityofmobile.org]<br> Internet: http://www.cityofmobile.org/archives/ Municipal Archives<br>


:Includes records of early Alabama/Florida settlers: Spanish, French, and Anglo especially during the Spanish period. This is the premier library for Gulf Coast settlers from Louisiana to Florida.<ref name="DB11" />
''''''<br>The library has a large genealogical collection and a helpful worldwide web site.
[[Image:Mobile Public Library 2008.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Mobile Public Library]]
===[[Mobile Public Library]]===
Local History Dept. <br>704 Government Street<br>Mobile, AL 36602-1499 USA<br>Telephone: 334-208-7093 <br>Fax: 334-208-5866 <br>Email: [mailto:mpllhg@acan.net mpllhg@acan.net]<br>Internet: [http://www.mplonline.org/ Mobile Public Library Online]


:They have a very good genealogy department in its own separate building.<ref name="DB11" />
To learn more about the history and record-keeping systems of Alabama counties, use the 14 inventories of county archives, published by the Historical Records Survey from 1938 to 1942. These were published for: Clay, Colbert, Conecuh, Cullman, Greene, Hale, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Madison, Marengo, Sumter, Talladega, Wilcox, and Winston counties. The Family History Library has the inventories for Colbert, Conecuh, Cullman, Hale, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Marengo, and Talladega counties. To find these in the Family History Library Catalog see:
[[Image:Samford University2.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Samford University in Birmingham. The Library is in the center of the image.]]
===[[Samford University Library]]===
Special Collection Department<br>800 Lakeshore Drive<br>Birmingham, AL 35229 USA<br>Telephone: 205-726-2749<br>Fax: 205-726-2642<br>Email: [mailto:reference@samford.edu reference@samford.edu]<br>Internet: [http://library.samford.edu/ Samford University Library]


:This is one of the finest collections in the South. They have both original and secondary sources primarily for Alabama and the Southeast USA. They also have a good Irish manuscript and local histories for Kerry and Cork. They have an especially strong Baptist collection including congregational and mission records, maps, local histories, genealogical periodicals, and newspapers.<ref name="DB11" />
ALABAMA, [COUNTY]- ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES


===[[University of Alabama Libraries]]===
=== [[Burned Counties Research|Courthouse Fires]] ===
'''Mailing address:''' P.O. Box 870266 <br>'''Street address:''' Hoole Special Collections Library<br>Mary Harmon Bryant Hall, 2nd floor<br>500 Hackberry Lane<br>Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266 USA<br>Telephone: 205-348-0500 <br>Fax: 205-348-1699 <br>Email: [mailto:archives@bama.ua.edu archives@bama.ua.edu]<br>Internet: [https://www.lib.ua.edu/#/home University of Alabama Libraries]<br>


:The '''''Alabama Collection ''''' strength is local and county history materials about Alabama and its history, life and culture, including the American Civil War.<ref>[http://guides.lib.ua.edu/c.php?g=39549{{amp}}p=2334386 Using the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library: Books] in ''University Libraries'' (accessed 8 November 2015).</ref> The '''''Americana Collection ''''' features books, manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, and artifacts from late 17th century to 2009 focused on Alabama, the American Civil War, presidential history, and the American South.<ref>[http://guides.lib.ua.edu/c.php?g=339933 Using the A.S. Williams III Americana Collection: Overview] in ''University Libraries'' (accessed 8 November 2015).</ref>
Fires occurred in many county courthouses. If records are missing , you can often find cemetery records, censuses, church records, newspapers, Bible records, military service and pension records, delayed birth certificates, or records in neighboring counties that have similar information. Sometimes landowners registered their deeds after a courthouse fire. The following list shows when courthouses were damaged by fire:


===[[Wallace State Community College Library]]===
*
'''Mailing address:''' P.O. Box 2000<br>'''Street address:''' 801 Main Street NW<br>Hanceville AL, 35077-2000 USA<br>Telephone: Library 256-352-8260, Genealogy 256-352-8263<br>Email: [mailto:library@wallacestate.edu library@wallacestate.edu]<br>Internet: [http://www.wallacestate.edu/library Wallace State Community College Library]
** Baker 1870
** Butler 1853
** Calhoun 1861, 1865
** Cherokee 1882
** Chilton 1870
** Choctaw 1871
** Clay 1875
** Coffee 1877
** Conecuh 1868, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1900
** Coosa 1900
** Covington 1839, 1847, 1878, 1895
** Crenshaw 1898
** Dale 1869, 1885
** Fayette 1866, 1916
** Franklin 1890


:The genealogy collection is centered on Alabama, its neighboring states, the Old South, Kentucky, the Civil War and Cherokee Indians. They have books, periodicals, microfilm, CD-ROM disks, computer programs, family folders, and access to 2.5 million [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] microfilms.<ref>[https://www.wallacestate.edu/library/genealogy Genealogy] in ''Wallace State Community College'' (accessed 8 November 2015).</ref>
*
** Geneva 1898
** Greene 1868
** Jackson 1864, 1920
** Jefferson 1870
** Lawrence 1859
** Limestone 1862
** Marengo 1848, 1965
** Marion 1866, 1883
** Mobile 1823, 1840, 1872
** Monroe 1832
** Morgan 1926, 1938
** Pickens 1864, 1876
** Pike 1828


== Outside of Alabama Repositories ==
*
[[Image:Dallas Public Central Library.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Dallas Public Central Library in Texas]]
** Randolph 1897
===[[Dallas Public Central Library]]===
** Sumter 1901
1515 Young St.<br>Dallas, Texas 75201-9987 USA<br>Telephone: 214-670-1400<br>Email: [mailto:genealogy@dallaslibrary.org genealogy@dallaslibrary.org]<br>Internet: http://dallaslibrary2.org/genealogy/index.php
** Walker 1865, 1877, 1886, 1932
** Winston 1891


:Outstanding genealogical collection with records for Texas, Oklahoma, the South including '''Alabama''', Mid-Atlantic, and New England states.<ref name="DB107">Dollarhide and Bremer, 107.</ref>
The above list was compiled from ''Research in Alabama'' by Wendy L. Elliott and ''Researching in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide'' by Marilyn Davis Barefield.


===[[Evans Memorial Library]]===
=== Computer Networks and Bulletin Boards ===
105 North Long Street<br>Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730 USA<br>Telephone: 622-369-4601<br>Fax: 622-369-2971<br>Email: [mailto:eml@tombigbee.lib.ms.us eml@tombigbee.lib.ms.us]<br>Internet: [http://www.tombigbee.lib.ms.us/evans/ Evans Memorial Library]


:This is an outstanding regional library with records of the South, including '''Alabama''' oral histories, church records, newspapers, maps, military records, Chickasaw Indians, African Americans, fraternal histories, scrapbooks, manuscripts and photos.<ref name="DB11" />
Computers with modems are important for obtaining information from selected archives and libraries. In a way, computer networks themselves serve as a library. The Internet, certain computer bulletin boards, and commercial on-line services help family history researchers:


== Courthouse Fires  ==
* Search databases.
* Search computer libraries and on-line catalogs.
* Locate other researchers.
* <span></span>Send and receive e-mail.
* <span></span>Post queries.
* <span></span>Join in computer chat and lecture sessions.


[[Image:Fire.png|left|45px|Fire.png]]Fires or other disasters occurred in many county courthouses. If records are missing , you can often find substitute records such as cemetery records, censuses, church records, newspapers, Bible records, military service and pension records, delayed birth certificates, or records in neighboring counties that have similar information. See [[Burned Counties Research]]. Sometimes landowners re-registered their deeds after a courthouse fire. The following list shows when Alabama courthouses were damaged by fire or other disasters:<ref>Marilyn Davis Barefield, ''Researching in Alabama: a Genealogical Guide'' (Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1998), 25. {{WorldCat|42306439}}; {{FSC|817729|item|disp=FS Library Book 976.1 D27b 1998}}.</ref> <ref>Wendy L. Elliott, ''Research in Alabama'' (Bountiful, Utah: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1987). {{WorldCat|607423538}}; {{FSC|672266|item|disp=FS Library Fiche 6117558 (2 fiche); Book 976.1 D27e}}.</ref>
You can find computerized research tips and information about ancestors from Alabama in a variety of sources at local, state, national, and international levels. The list of sources is growing rapidly. Most of the information is available at no cost. Internet addresses are subject to change. The following sites link you to many more network and bulletin board sites:


{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
Howells, Cyndi. “U.S.- Alabama- AL.” In Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet [Internet site]. Puyallup, Wash.: Cyndi Howells, 1 March 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at [http://www.cyndislist.com/al.htm www.cyndislist.com/al.htm], this list has links to other Alabama genealogy sites and describes more resources than any other site on the Internet.
|+ Alabama County Courthouse Disasters
| Baker 1870<br>Butler 1853<br>Calhoun 1861, 1865<br>Cherokee 1882<br>Chilton 1870<br>Choctaw 1871<br>Clay 1875<br>Coffee 1877
| Conecuh 1868, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1900<br>Coosa 1900<br>Covington 1839, 1847, 1878, 1895<br>Crenshaw 1898<br>Dale 1869, 1885<br>Fayette 1866, 1916<br>Franklin 1890<br>Geneva 1898
| Greene 1868<br>Jackson 1864, 1920<br>Jefferson 1870<br>Lawrence 1859<br>Limestone 1862<br>Marengo 1848, 1965<br>Marion 1866, 1883<br>Mobile 1823, 1840, 1872
| Monroe 1832<br>Morgan 1926, 1938<br>Pickens 1864, 1876<br>Pike 1828<br>Randolph 1897<br>Sumter 1901<br>Walker 1865, 1877, 1886, 1932<br>Winston 1891
|}


== References  ==
“Alabama USGenWeb.” In The USGenWeb Project [Internet site]. N.p., 29 December 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at [http://www.rootsweb.com/~algenweb/ www.rootsweb.com/~algenweb/], this lists genealogical databases, libraries, bulletin boards, and other resources available on the Internet for each county, state, and country. For


{{reflist}} {{Alabama|Alabama}}
“United States Resources: Alabama” In RootsWeb [Internet site]. N.p., 30 November 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at [http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/usa/al.html www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/usa/al.html], this list of sites and resources includes a large, regularly updated research coordination list. For more information see [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/alabama-resources-from-rootsweb.com Alabama Resources from RootsWeb.com] and [[Mailing Lists at RootsWeb - Alabama]]


[[Category:Alabama_Archives_and_Libraries]]
[[Category:Alabama]]

Revision as of 12:05, 19 December 2007

Most archives and libraries collect records about local residents (biographies, family histories, and local histories) and about nearby places (maps, gazetteers, and place-finding aids). They often compile reference helps and special indexes to important local sources. In many communities they serve as a meeting place for local historical and genealogical societies, and may be able to provide referrals to people who are willing to look up information in local records. Before you visit an archive or a library, contact them and ask for information on their collection, hours, services, and fees.

When one of these institutions is referred to elsewhere in this outline, return to this section for the address.

The Family History Library has copies of many of the records found in archives and libraries, but most repositories will have additional sources.

Many archives and libraries have helpful sources for locating information about Alabama, such as maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids. They frequently have collections of previous research, such as family and local histories and biographies. Many have record-finding aids, such as guides to their own collections or inventories of records housed elsewhere in the state. Archives and libraries near state boundaries usually collect records relating to the adjacent states.

The following archives, libraries, and societies have collections or services helpful to genealogical researchers:

'Alabama Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Telephone: 334-242-4435
Fax: 334-240-3433
'
E-mail: ndupree@archives.state.al.us
Internet address: www.archives.state.al.us

The mailing address is:
P.O. Box 300100
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100

The Department of Archives and History (closed Mondays) has the following records: federal and state censuses; vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce); county records (deeds, wills, and other probate records); land, military, and military discharge records (DD214s); surname files; city directories; African-American records (Reconstruction to the present); American Indian records; and immigration and naturalization records.

National Archives—Southeast Region (Atlanta)
5780 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, Georgia 30260
Phone: 770-968-2100
E-mail: atlanta.archives@nara.gov
Internet address: http://www.archives.gov/southeast/

'Birmingham Public Library
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203
Telephone: 205-226-3665
'
E-mail: jpate@bham.lib.al.us
Internet address: www.bham.lib.al.us/

Samford University Library
Special Collection Department
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Telephone: 205-726-2749
Fax: 205-726-2642
Internet address: http://library.samford.edu/about/special.html

Mobile Public Library
Local History Dept.
704 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602-1499
Telephone: 334-208-7093
Fax: 334-208-5866
E-mail: mpllhg@acan.net
Internet address: www.mplonline.org

William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library
University of Alabama
Second Floor
Mary Harmon Bryant Hall
500 Hackberry Lane
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266
Telephone: 205-348-0500
Fax: 205-348-1699
E-mail: archives@bama.ua.edu
Internet address: www.lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole/

The mailing address is:
P.O. Box 870266
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266


Auburn University
Special Collections Department
Auburn University Libraries
231 Mell Street
Auburn University, AL 36849
Phone: 334-844-4500 or 800-446-0387
Internet: http://www.lib.auburn.edu/special/

'
The library has a large genealogical collection and a helpful worldwide web site.

To learn more about the history and record-keeping systems of Alabama counties, use the 14 inventories of county archives, published by the Historical Records Survey from 1938 to 1942. These were published for: Clay, Colbert, Conecuh, Cullman, Greene, Hale, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Madison, Marengo, Sumter, Talladega, Wilcox, and Winston counties. The Family History Library has the inventories for Colbert, Conecuh, Cullman, Hale, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Marengo, and Talladega counties. To find these in the Family History Library Catalog see:

ALABAMA, [COUNTY]- ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES

Courthouse Fires[edit | edit source]

Fires occurred in many county courthouses. If records are missing , you can often find cemetery records, censuses, church records, newspapers, Bible records, military service and pension records, delayed birth certificates, or records in neighboring counties that have similar information. Sometimes landowners registered their deeds after a courthouse fire. The following list shows when courthouses were damaged by fire:

    • Baker 1870
    • Butler 1853
    • Calhoun 1861, 1865
    • Cherokee 1882
    • Chilton 1870
    • Choctaw 1871
    • Clay 1875
    • Coffee 1877
    • Conecuh 1868, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1900
    • Coosa 1900
    • Covington 1839, 1847, 1878, 1895
    • Crenshaw 1898
    • Dale 1869, 1885
    • Fayette 1866, 1916
    • Franklin 1890
    • Geneva 1898
    • Greene 1868
    • Jackson 1864, 1920
    • Jefferson 1870
    • Lawrence 1859
    • Limestone 1862
    • Marengo 1848, 1965
    • Marion 1866, 1883
    • Mobile 1823, 1840, 1872
    • Monroe 1832
    • Morgan 1926, 1938
    • Pickens 1864, 1876
    • Pike 1828
    • Randolph 1897
    • Sumter 1901
    • Walker 1865, 1877, 1886, 1932
    • Winston 1891

The above list was compiled from Research in Alabama by Wendy L. Elliott and Researching in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide by Marilyn Davis Barefield.

Computer Networks and Bulletin Boards[edit | edit source]

Computers with modems are important for obtaining information from selected archives and libraries. In a way, computer networks themselves serve as a library. The Internet, certain computer bulletin boards, and commercial on-line services help family history researchers:

  • Search databases.
  • Search computer libraries and on-line catalogs.
  • Locate other researchers.
  • Send and receive e-mail.
  • Post queries.
  • Join in computer chat and lecture sessions.

You can find computerized research tips and information about ancestors from Alabama in a variety of sources at local, state, national, and international levels. The list of sources is growing rapidly. Most of the information is available at no cost. Internet addresses are subject to change. The following sites link you to many more network and bulletin board sites:

Howells, Cyndi. “U.S.- Alabama- AL.” In Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet [Internet site]. Puyallup, Wash.: Cyndi Howells, 1 March 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at www.cyndislist.com/al.htm, this list has links to other Alabama genealogy sites and describes more resources than any other site on the Internet.

“Alabama USGenWeb.” In The USGenWeb Project [Internet site]. N.p., 29 December 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at www.rootsweb.com/~algenweb/, this lists genealogical databases, libraries, bulletin boards, and other resources available on the Internet for each county, state, and country. For

“United States Resources: Alabama” In RootsWeb [Internet site]. N.p., 30 November 1999 [cited 1 March 2000]. Available at www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/usa/al.html, this list of sites and resources includes a large, regularly updated research coordination list. For more information see Alabama Resources from RootsWeb.com and Mailing Lists at RootsWeb - Alabama