Alabama Locality Guide
Welcome to the Alabama Locality Guide developed by Sleuth Matron. All rights are reserved. You are welcome to use this report, and if you print it out, please do not alter the text. Please only share as is.
Alabama The Beautiful
The Beginning
​ Alabama has a rich history that dates back to the time when it was home to many native tribes. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers arrived, followed by the French who acquired it in the early eighteenth century. The British then won the territory in 1763 but lost it in the American Revolutionary War. Spain held Mobile as part of Spanish West Florida until 1813, and in 1795, the United States acquired the area through the Treaty of San Lorenzo. Statehood was granted in 1817 when the Alabama Territory was established, and in 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state.
During the Civil War, Alabama seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. Montgomery served as the Confederacy's first capital. After the war, Alabama remained segregated until the 1960s. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, Alabama was at the center of the movement.
In the early 20th century, Alabama's economy was heavily dependent on cotton. However, since then, the state has diversified its agricultural production and developed industrially.
Alabama boasts diverse geography, with the Tennessee Valley in the north and Mobile Bay in the south. The state is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State after its state bird, and it is also known as the "Heart of Dixie" and the "Cotton State".
Settlements
Since 2020, Alabama has 461 incorporated cities and towns. Here are some early settlements in Alabama:
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1687: English traders from Carolina traded for deerskins with Native Americans in the Alabama River valley
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1702: The French established a settlement on the Mobile River, near its mouth, and built Fort Louis
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16th century: Alabama became a Spanish territory
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Early 18th century: The French acquired Alabama
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1763: The British won the territory but lost it in the American Revolutionary War
Significant Events
January 20, 1702: French settlement of Mobile begins. It's the first European settlement in what is now Alabama; It marks the arrival of a new people who, over time, would come to displace the Indians.
March 27, 1814: Battle of Horseshoe Bend. An army led by Andrew Jackson inflicted a "decisive, crushing defeat" on Creek warriors. This battle marked the end of Indian domination of this land. After this battle, Alabama started opening up for massive settlement.
Culture
It's important to understand the complex cultural landscape of Alabama. The state's history is deeply intertwined with Old Dixie and the desire for autonomy. While the Confederate flag is a common sight and many white locals have strong feelings about the state's role in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, we must also recognize and celebrate Alabama's rich African-American heritage. It's important to approach these topics with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the challenges and struggles faced by all who call Alabama home.
Vital Records
Some records for a given county or for the state of Alabama may have been burned or lost and may be unavailable.
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Before 1881, no government agencies recorded any births. It wasn't until 1908 that the State of Alabama began requiring the registration of births on a state level. However, early registration during this period was inconsistent. By 1927, most births had been recorded. Although early birth registers and certificates may not include the child's name, they often contain other important information. It is more common to find the child's name in records from the 1920s onwards. It's worth noting that birth certificates are considered confidential for 125 years after birth. You can contact the Alabama Department of Public Health if you need copies of your original birth records.
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In 1799, a law passed in the Mississippi Territory (including present-day Alabama) required marriage licenses and bonds to be registered at the Orphans Court in the county of the bride's residence. Marriage licenses and bonds were recorded in the Orphans Court, later renamed the Probate Court in 1850, in the county where the bride resided. In 1888, bonds were only necessary if the groom was under 21 or the bride was under 18. To obtain copies of the original marriage records, contact the Probate Court in the county where the license was issued or the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Alabama recorded statewide marriage records in August of 1936. To obtain copies of the State's records, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health
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Before 1950, the State Legislature, Circuit Courts, City Courts, and County Chancery Courts could grant divorces in Alabama. In 1915, the County Chancery Courts were merged with the County Circuit Courts. If you're searching for divorce records from this period, you can locate divorces finalized by the State Legislature in the published Alabama Legislative Journals. To find divorce records from the Circuit Court, you must contact the Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
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Before 1881, no deaths were recorded by government agencies. The State of Alabama required individual counties to register deaths. Because most counties were slow to comply, not all deaths were recorded. In addition, many records from this time period are missing or destroyed. To obtain copies of death records from this time period, contact the County Court where the death occurred.
Starting in January 1908, Alabama State Law made registering all deaths occurring within the state mandatory. Copies of death certificates were filed with the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. The information on a death certificate is given by an informant, usually a relative, and may or may not be accurate. Only the parents are allowed to request a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth." A "Fetal Death Report" is a statistical report with no certified copies issued. However, within two years of the event, the parent can request a non-certified copy of the report.
Alabama Birth Record Links;
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Ancestry
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FamilySearch
Alabama Marriage Records Online
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1733-2013 US Marriages – Alabama, 1733-2013 at Findmypast
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1784-1920 Alabama Marriages, Deaths, Wills, Court, and Other Records, 1784-1920 at Ancestry
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Alabama Death Record Links
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1784-1920 Alabama Marriages, Deaths, Wills, Court, and Other Records, 1784-1920 at Ancestry
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1881-1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch
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Alabama Divorce Records Link
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1950-1959 Alabama Divorce Index, 1950-1959 at Ancestry
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Alabama counties no longer exist:
Baine County, Alabama, was Created on December 7, 1866, from Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshall, and St. Clair Counties. It was abolished on December 3, 1867, and re-established as Etowah County on December 1, 1868.
Baker County, Alabama, was Created on December 30, 1868, from Autauga, Bibb, Perry, and Shelby counties. Renamed Chilton County on December 17, 1874.
Benton County, Alabama, was Created on December 18, 1832, from former Creek Indian territory and named for Colonel Thomas Hart Benton. Its county seat was Jacksonville. It was renamed Calhoun County on January 29, 1858, in honor of John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. In June of 1900, The county seat was moved to Anniston.
Cahawba (Cahaba) County, Alabama, Created February 12, 1818 from Monroe and Montgomery counties. Renamed to Bibb County on December 4, 1820.
Cotaco County, Alabama, Created on February 6, 1818 as from created from land acquired from the Cherokee Indians by the 1818 Treaty of Turkeytown. The County seat was at Somerville. It was named for a creek that flows through it.
On June 14, 1821, the name was changed to Morgan County in honor of Gen. Daniel Morgan of Virginia, who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Decatur County was established on December 7, 1821, with Woodville as its county seat. It was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur of the United States Navy. Abolished / Dissolved several years later, on December 28, 1825, divided between Madison County and Jackson County.
Elk County was established by the Mississippi Territory on May 9, 1817, before the Mississippi–Alabama split. Its county seat was Woodville. The county was named for the Elk River. Abolished / Dissolved a year later on January 26, 1818, before Alabama statehood.
Jones County, Alabama, was Established on February 4, 1867, with land taken from the southern part of Marion County and the western part of Fayette County. The County was named in honor of Fayette County resident E. P. Jones. On November 13, 1867, the county was abolished, and the lands returned to Marion County.
Hancock County, Alabama, was created from part of Walker County on February 12, 1850. it was renamed Winston County on January 22, 1858.
Sanford County, Alabama, Created on October 8, 1868. It was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur of the United States Navy. Sanford County was renamed to Lamar County on February 8, 1877.
Courthouses That Burned
AUTAUGA-- NEVER BALDWIN-- NEVER, BARBOUR --NEVER, BIBB --NEVER
BLOUNT --NEVER BULLOCK --NEVER, BUTLER --1853, CALHOUN --1861,1865 CHAMBERS --NEVER, CHEROKEE --1882,1895 CHILTON --1870
CHOCTAW --1859,1871 CLARKE --NEVER, CLAY --1875 CLEBURNE --NEVER, COFFEE --1851,1863 COLBERT --NEVER, CONECUH-- 1868,1875,1885,1895, COOSA-- NEVER. COVINGTON --1895
CRENSHAW --1898, CULLMAN-- NEVER
DALLAS --NEVER, DALE-- 1869,1884, DEKALB --NEVER, ELMORE --NEVER
ESCAMBIA --1868, ETOWAH --NEVER, FAYETTE --1866 FRANKLIN --1890, GENEVA --1898 GREEN --1868
HALE --NEVER HENRYY --NEVER, HOUSTON-- NEVER JACKSON --1864, LAMAR-- 1866 LAUDERDALE --NEVER, LAWRENCE-- 1859, LEE --NEVER, LIMESTONE-- 1862 LOWNDES-- NEVER
MACON-- NEVER MADISON-- NEVER, MARENGO --1848,1965 MARION-- 1866
MARSHALL-- NEVER MOBILE --1823,1840,1872, MONROE --1833 MONTGOMERY --NEVER
MORGAN --1926, 1938, PERRY --NEVER PICKENS --1876 PIKE --1828, RANDOLPH --1896
RUSSELL-- NEVER SHELBY-- NEVER, ST. CLAIR --NEVER SUMTER --1901
TALLADEGA --NEVER TALLAPOOSA --NEVER
TUSCALOOSA --NEVER WALKER-- 1865,1877,1896,1932
WASHINGTON-- NEVER WILCOX --NEVER, WINSTON --1891
Alabama Census Records Online
Alabama Research Websites
Alabama in State Links
Alabama Department of Archives
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
334-242-4435
Alabama Death Indexes
https://www.deathindexes.com/alabama/index.html
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Alabama Photographs and Pictures Collection - Alabama Department of Archives and History
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Alabama Links from Other States
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Allen County, North Carolina Public Libray.
Tallapoosa County Link
Resources and Sources
https://www.al.com/spotnews/2012/07/alabama_archives_director_name.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama
https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/north-america/united-states/alabama/history-and-culture
https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/north-america/united-states/alabama/history-and-culture
