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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.
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{{TOC left}}These repositories preserve sources, maintain indexes, and provide services to help genealogists document their ancestors who lived in Alabama.<br>


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


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


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.
== Online Records of Alabama ==


The following archives, libraries, and societies have collections or services helpful to genealogical researchers:
{| style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
| <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)]]


'''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 Repositories ==
===[[National Archives at Atlanta]]===
5780 Jonesboro Road<br>Morrow, Georgia 30260 USA<br>Phone: 770-968-2100<br>Fax: 770-968-2547<br>E-mail: [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>E-mail: [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 mailing address is:<br />P.O. Box 300100 <br />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.


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.
===[[Alabama Historical Association]]===
PO Box 456<br>Livingston, AL 35470 USA<br>E-mail: [mailto:alabamahistory@gmail.com alabamahistory@gmail.com]<br>Internet: [http://www.alabamahistory.net/ Alabama Historical Association]


'''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/'''
:Holds annual meetings and publishes ''The Alabama Review''. ({{WorldCat|909782198}}).<ref>[http://www.alabamahistory.net/ Alabama Historical Association] (accessed 6 November 2015).</ref>
[[Image:Ralph Brown Draughon Library Auburn University.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Ralph B Draughon Library Auburn University]]


'''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/] '''
== Regional Repositories ==
===[[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>E-mail: [mailto:askalibrarian@auburn.edu askalibrarian@auburn.edu]<br>Internet: [http://libguides.auburn.edu/genealogy Genealogy]


'''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'''
: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>
[[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>E-mail: [mailto:askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us]<br>Internet: [http://www.bplonline.org/ Birmingham Public Library online]


'''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] '''
:Book, periodicals, maps, and family folders.<ref name="DB11" />


'''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/]'''
===[[Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]]===
350 N Wood Ave<br>Florence, AL 35630<br>Telephone: 256-764-6564<br>E-mail: [http://www.flpl.org/contact/ Contact us] form<br>Internet: [http://www.flpl.org/ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library]  


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


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


<div id="footer"> </div>
: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" />


The library has a large genealogical collection and a helpful worldwide web site.
===[[Mobile Municipal Archives]]===
'''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>E-mail: [mailto:archives@cityofmobile.org archives@cityofmobile.org]<br> Internet: http://www.cityofmobile.org/archives/ Municipal Archives<br>


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:
: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" />
[[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>E-mail: [mailto:mpllhg@acan.net mpllhg@acan.net]<br>Internet: [http://www.mplonline.org/ Mobile Public Library Online]


ALABAMA, [COUNTY]- ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES
:They have a very good genealogy department in its own separate building.<ref name="DB11" />
[[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>E-mail: [mailto:reference@samford.edu reference@samford.edu]<br>Internet: [http://library.samford.edu/ Samford University Library]


=== Courthouse Fires ===
: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" />


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:
===[[University of Alabama Libraries]]===
'''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>E-mail: [mailto:archives@bama.ua.edu archives@bama.ua.edu]<br>Internet: [https://www.lib.ua.edu/#/home University of Alabama Libraries]<br>


** Baker 1870
: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>
** 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
===[[Wallace State Community College Library]]===
** Greene 1868
'''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>E-mail: [mailto:library@wallacestate.edu library@wallacestate.edu]<br>Internet: [http://www.wallacestate.edu/library Wallace State Community College Library]
** 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
: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>
** 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.
== Outside of Alabama Repositories ==
[[Image:Dallas Public Central Library.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Dallas Public Central Library in Texas]]
===[[Dallas Public Central Library]]===
1515 Young St.<br>Dallas, Texas 75201-9987 USA<br>Telephone: 214-670-1400<br>E-mail: [mailto:genealogy@dallaslibrary.org genealogy@dallaslibrary.org]<br>Internet: http://dallaslibrary2.org/genealogy/index.php


=== Computer Networks and Bulletin Boards ===
: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>


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


* Search databases.
: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" />
* 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.


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:
== Courthouse Fires  ==


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.
[[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>


“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
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|+ 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
|}


“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]]
== References  ==
 
{{reflist}} {{Alabama|Alabama}}
 
[[Category:Alabama_Archives_and_Libraries]]

Latest revision as of 17:04, 16 March 2023

Alabama Wiki Topics
Alabama flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Alabama Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

These repositories preserve sources, maintain indexes, and provide services to help genealogists document their ancestors who lived in Alabama.

Wiki Articles on Major Repositories in Alabama

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





Online Records of Alabama

Links to online databases and indexes that may include vital records, biographies, cemeteries, censuses, histories, immigration records, land records, maps, military records, naturalizations, newspapers, obituaries, or probate records.

  • 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.
  • Alabama Mosaic has digitized records from archives and libraries across the state, including oral histories and records, such as probate, naturalization, and military.
    National Archives at Atlanta (Morrow, GA)

National Repositories

National Archives at Atlanta

5780 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, Georgia 30260 USA
Phone: 770-968-2100
Fax: 770-968-2547
E-mail: atlanta.archives@nara.gov
Internet: National Archives at Atlanta

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.[1]
AL Dept of Archives & History in Montgomery

Statewide Repositories

Alabama Dept of Archives and History

Alabama Department of Archives and History
Mailing address: P.O. Box 300100
Street address: 624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100 USA
Telephone: 334-242-4435
Fax: 334-240-3433
E-mail: n.dupree@archives.alabama.gov
Internet: 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.[2]
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.

Alabama Historical Association

PO Box 456
Livingston, AL 35470 USA
E-mail: alabamahistory@gmail.com
Internet: Alabama Historical Association

Holds annual meetings and publishes The Alabama Review. (WorldCat 909782198).[3]
Ralph B Draughon Library Auburn University

Regional Repositories

Auburn University Libraries

RBD Library Special Collections Department
231 Mell Street
Auburn University, AL 36849 USA
Telephone: 334-844-4500 or 800-446-0387
E-mail: askalibrarian@auburn.edu
Internet: 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.[2] [4]
Linn-Henley Research Library in Birmingham

Birmingham Public Library

Linn-Henley Research Library
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203 USA
Telephone: 205-226-3665
E-mail: askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us
Internet: Birmingham Public Library online

Book, periodicals, maps, and family folders.[2]

Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

350 N Wood Ave
Florence, AL 35630
Telephone: 256-764-6564
E-mail: Contact us form
Internet: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

They have very good collections of American Civil War records, genealogy, and local history.[2]

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

Special Collections
915 Monroe St SW
Huntsville, AL 35801 USA
Telephone: 256-532-5969
E-mail: hhrdept@hmcpl.org
Internet: 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.[2]

Mobile Municipal Archives

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1827
Street address: 457 Church Street
Mobile, Alabama 36633-1827 USA
Telephone: 251-208-7740
Fax: 251-208-7428
E-mail: archives@cityofmobile.org
Internet: http://www.cityofmobile.org/archives/ Municipal Archives

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.[2]
Mobile Public Library

Mobile Public Library

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

They have a very good genealogy department in its own separate building.[2]
Samford University in Birmingham. The Library is in the center of the image.

Samford University Library

Special Collection Department
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229 USA
Telephone: 205-726-2749
Fax: 205-726-2642
E-mail: reference@samford.edu
Internet: 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.[2]

University of Alabama Libraries

Mailing address: P.O. Box 870266
Street address: Hoole Special Collections Library
Mary Harmon Bryant Hall, 2nd floor
500 Hackberry Lane
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266 USA
Telephone: 205-348-0500
Fax: 205-348-1699
E-mail: archives@bama.ua.edu
Internet: University of Alabama Libraries

The Alabama Collection strength is local and county history materials about Alabama and its history, life and culture, including the American Civil War.[5] 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.[6]

Wallace State Community College Library

Mailing address: P.O. Box 2000
Street address: 801 Main Street NW
Hanceville AL, 35077-2000 USA
Telephone: Library 256-352-8260, Genealogy 256-352-8263
E-mail: library@wallacestate.edu
Internet: Wallace State Community College Library

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 FamilySearch Library microfilms.[7]

Outside of Alabama Repositories

Dallas Public Central Library in Texas

Dallas Public Central Library

1515 Young St.
Dallas, Texas 75201-9987 USA
Telephone: 214-670-1400
E-mail: genealogy@dallaslibrary.org
Internet: http://dallaslibrary2.org/genealogy/index.php

Outstanding genealogical collection with records for Texas, Oklahoma, the South including Alabama, Mid-Atlantic, and New England states.[8]

Evans Memorial Library

105 North Long Street
Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730 USA
Telephone: 622-369-4601
Fax: 622-369-2971
E-mail: eml@tombigbee.lib.ms.us
Internet: 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.[2]

Courthouse Fires

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:[9] [10]

Alabama County Courthouse Disasters
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

References

  1. ↑ William Dollarhide and Ronald A. Bremer. America's Best Genealogy Resource Centers (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1998), 127-28. WorldCat 39493985; FS Library Ref Book 973 J54d.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Dollarhide and Bremer, 11.
  3. ↑ Alabama Historical Association (accessed 6 November 2015).
  4. ↑ Genealogy in Auburn University Archives (accessed 8 November 2015).
  5. ↑ Using the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library: Books in University Libraries (accessed 8 November 2015).
  6. ↑ Using the A.S. Williams III Americana Collection: Overview in University Libraries (accessed 8 November 2015).
  7. ↑ Genealogy in Wallace State Community College (accessed 8 November 2015).
  8. ↑ Dollarhide and Bremer, 107.
  9. ↑ Marilyn Davis Barefield, Researching in Alabama: a Genealogical Guide (Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1998), 25. WorldCat 42306439; FS Library Book 976.1 D27b 1998.
  10. ↑ Wendy L. Elliott, Research in Alabama (Bountiful, Utah: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1987). WorldCat 607423538; FS Library Fiche 6117558 (2 fiche); Book 976.1 D27e.
v • d• e
Links to Alabama-related articles
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