Alabama Vital Records: Difference between revisions

Early marriage records for the region that would become the Alabama Territory began in 1799. Licenses and '''bonds '''were registered in the '''Orphans Court '''in the county of the bride's residence. These early marriage records generally contain the name of bride and groom, name of the presiding official at the marriage and the signatures of two people who posted a marriage bond.

Early Marriage&nbsp;licenses and bonds were registered in the Orphans Court in the County of the bride's residence. In&nbsp;1844 the Orphans Court was renamed the '''Probate Court'''.&nbsp;From 1888 on, bonds were only required if the groom was under the age of 21 or the bride was under the age of 18. The county marriage records usually began within ten years of the creation of the county. Early marriage records may include the names of the bride and groom, date of marriage, '''bondsmen,''' and '''licensed officiant'''. Later, marriage records may include&nbsp;ages, occupations, and number of previous marriages for each spouse and the parents' names. The [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHL/frameset_library.asp Family History Library] has microfilms of the county marriage records for most [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localityrelated&columns=*%2C0%2C0&subject=356&subject_disp=Alabama Alabama Counties]. These films may be ordered and viewed at a&nbsp;nearby [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp Family History Center].<br>

|+ '''Information that may be included in Alabama Marriage Records'''

Nearly&nbsp;half of the counties in Alabama have had burned courthouses.&nbsp;A number of them have burned several times.&nbsp;Ten Alabama counties have had significant record loss by fire. However, not all records were lost. [http://myalabamagenealogy.com/index.htm#facts2 Alabama Burned Counties]