Alabama Divorce Records: Difference between revisions
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==Online Resources== | |||
*Alabama. Bureau of Vital Statistics. ''County Divorce Reports, 1818–1929<nowiki>; Index, 1908–1937.</nowiki>'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988–1990. (On 11 FamilySearch Library {{FSC|631927|title-id|disp=films beginning with 1530489}}.) The indexes are on films {{FSC|631927|title-id|disp=1653550–51}}. These records are at the [https://www.archives.alabama.gov/ Alabama Department of Archives and History]. The records are arranged by year, then by county. They may list the date and place of birth and marriage . | |||
{{ | *Alabama. Department of Health. (Montgomery, Alabama). ''Divorces, 1938–1992; Index, 1950–1959.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1993. (On 337 FamilySearch Library {{FSC|690132|title-id|disp=films beginning with 1892719}}.) The index for 1950 to 1959 is on {{FSC|690132|title-id|disp=film 1908984}}. | ||
==Print Publications== | |||
*Hageness, MariLee Beatty. ''Alabama Divorces 1818–1868, State Legislature.'' Alabama Genealogical Sources; AL1004. Anniston, Alabama: M.L. Hageness, 1995. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|784186|title-id|disp=book 976.1 V2hm; fiche 6038873}}.) This book alphabetically lists the persons who were divorced with the divorce date and county. | |||
== Background == | |||
In the early 1800s, the legislature, the circuit courts, and city courts granted divorces. Divorce records may indicate the date and place of the marriage being dissolved. Circuit or city courts have handled most divorce proceedings. | In the early 1800s, the legislature, the circuit courts, and city courts granted divorces. Divorce records may indicate the date and place of the marriage being dissolved. Circuit or city courts have handled most divorce proceedings. | ||
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Alabama-Divorce-Records&id=1174388 Alabama divorces] were settled in county chancery courts until 1915. The state legislature was also empowered to authorize divorce decrees. In 1915 the chancery courts were merged with the circuit court in each county. The | [http://ezinearticles.com/?Alabama-Divorce-Records&id=1174388 Alabama divorces] were settled in county chancery courts until 1915. The state legislature was also empowered to authorize divorce decrees. In 1915 the chancery courts were merged with the circuit court in each county. The FamilySearch Library is microfilming divorce records of local chancery courts. | ||
Statewide registration of divorces began in 1950. Copies are on microfilm or may be obtained from the Center for Health Statistics Records Services (see the address in the "[[Alabama Birth, Marriage, and Death Records|Vital Records]]" section). | Statewide registration of divorces began in 1950. Copies are on microfilm or may be obtained from the Center for Health Statistics Records Services (see the address in the "[[Alabama Birth, Marriage, and Death Records|Vital Records]]" section). | ||
== Information in the Records == | |||
Divorce records may include: | |||
* | *Petitions, which started the process, include at least names of parties and the grievance. May include date and place of marriage. | ||
*Certificates or registers contain date marriage was dissolved and names of parties. | |||
* | *Case files contain the papers created and include marriage and divorce details, residences, and name changes. May include children's names, ages, birth dates. | ||
*''See [[United States Divorce Records|United States Divorce records]] for more information.'' | |||
* | |||
==Strategy== | |||
*Divorces can be difficult to locate. The divorce may have occurred in another county. Try all the residences of both the husband and wife. | |||
*[[United States Newspapers|Newspapers]] often printed information about separations and divorces in the area to help you determine if a divorce exists. | |||
*Many couples simply separated, leaving no divorce record. | |||
*''See [[United States Divorce Records|United States Divorce Records]] for more information.'' | |||
[[Category:Alabama | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Alabama, United States]][[Category:Divorce Records]] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 4 March 2025
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Online Resources
- Alabama. Bureau of Vital Statistics. County Divorce Reports, 1818–1929; Index, 1908–1937. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988–1990. (On 11 FamilySearch Library films beginning with 1530489.) The indexes are on films 1653550–51. These records are at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The records are arranged by year, then by county. They may list the date and place of birth and marriage .
- Alabama. Department of Health. (Montgomery, Alabama). Divorces, 1938–1992; Index, 1950–1959. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1993. (On 337 FamilySearch Library films beginning with 1892719.) The index for 1950 to 1959 is on film 1908984.
Print Publications
- Hageness, MariLee Beatty. Alabama Divorces 1818–1868, State Legislature. Alabama Genealogical Sources; AL1004. Anniston, Alabama: M.L. Hageness, 1995. (FamilySearch Library book 976.1 V2hm; fiche 6038873.) This book alphabetically lists the persons who were divorced with the divorce date and county.
Background
In the early 1800s, the legislature, the circuit courts, and city courts granted divorces. Divorce records may indicate the date and place of the marriage being dissolved. Circuit or city courts have handled most divorce proceedings.
Alabama divorces were settled in county chancery courts until 1915. The state legislature was also empowered to authorize divorce decrees. In 1915 the chancery courts were merged with the circuit court in each county. The FamilySearch Library is microfilming divorce records of local chancery courts.
Statewide registration of divorces began in 1950. Copies are on microfilm or may be obtained from the Center for Health Statistics Records Services (see the address in the "Vital Records" section).
Information in the Records
Divorce records may include:
- Petitions, which started the process, include at least names of parties and the grievance. May include date and place of marriage.
- Certificates or registers contain date marriage was dissolved and names of parties.
- Case files contain the papers created and include marriage and divorce details, residences, and name changes. May include children's names, ages, birth dates.
- See United States Divorce records for more information.
Strategy
- Divorces can be difficult to locate. The divorce may have occurred in another county. Try all the residences of both the husband and wife.
- Newspapers often printed information about separations and divorces in the area to help you determine if a divorce exists.
- Many couples simply separated, leaving no divorce record.
- See United States Divorce Records for more information.