Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Lamar County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 3 County Information
- 4 Resources
- 4.1 Bible Records
- 4.2 Biographies
- 4.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 4.4 Cemeteries
- 4.5 Census Records
- 4.6 Church Records
- 4.7 Court Records
- 4.8 Directories
- 4.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 4.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 4.11 Funeral Homes
- 4.12 Genealogies
- 4.13 Guardianship
- 4.14 Land and Property Records
- 4.15 Local Histories
- 4.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 4.17 Migration
- 4.18 Military Records
- 4.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 4.20 Newspapers
- 4.21 Obituaries
- 4.22 Other Records
- 4.23 Periodicals
- 4.24 Probate Records
- 4.25 School Records
- 4.26 Tax Records
- 4.27 Vital Records
- 5 Research Facilities
- 6 Societies
- 7 Websites
- 8 Research Guides
- 9 References
- 10 County Information
- 11 Resources
- 11.1 Bible Records
- 11.2 Biographies
- 11.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 11.4 Cemeteries
- 11.5 Census Records
- 11.6 Church Records
- 11.7 Court Records
- 11.8 Directories
- 11.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 11.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 11.11 Funeral Homes
- 11.12 Genealogies
- 11.13 Guardianship
- 11.14 Land and Property Records
- 11.15 Local Histories
- 11.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 11.17 Migration
- 11.18 Military Records
- 11.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 11.20 Newspapers
- 11.21 Obituaries
- 11.22 Other Records
- 11.23 Periodicals
- 11.24 Probate Records
- 11.25 School Records
- 11.26 Tax Records
- 11.27 Vital Records
- 12 Research Facilities
- 13 Societies
- 14 Websites
- 15 Research Guides
- 16 References
- 17 County Information
- 18 Resources
- 18.1 Bible Records
- 18.2 Biographies
- 18.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 18.4 Cemeteries
- 18.5 Census Records
- 18.6 Church Records
- 18.7 Court Records
- 18.8 Directories
- 18.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 18.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 18.11 Funeral Homes
- 18.12 Genealogies
- 18.13 Guardianship
- 18.14 Land and Property Records
- 18.15 Local Histories
- 18.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 18.17 Migration
- 18.18 Military Records
- 18.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 18.20 Newspapers
- 18.21 Obituaries
- 18.22 Other Records
- 18.23 Periodicals
- 18.24 Probate Records
- 18.25 School Records
- 18.26 Tax Records
- 18.27 Vital Records
- 19 Research Facilities
- 20 Societies
- 21 Websites
- 22 Research Guides
- 23 References
- 24 Research Facilities
- 25 Societies
- 26 Websites
- 27 Research Guides
- 28 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named in honor of Senator Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, member of the United States Senate from Mississippi.[2] The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Lamar County Courthouse
330 First St. NE.
PO Box 434
Vernon, AL 35592
Phone: 205-695-7193
Fax: 205-695-0046
Lamar County Website
Probate Office has marriage records 1867-1997, probate and land records;
Circuit Clerk Office has divorce and Court Records [4]
Lamar County, Alabama Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1919 | 1867 | 1919 | 1867 | 1867 | 1867 | 1816 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
1866 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged. For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following: |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Lamar County:[7]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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|
|
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web site has additional information on Lamar county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Lamar County census records online, see: Alabama Census.
| Lamar County, Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 8,893 | — |
| 1880 | 12,142 | 36.5% |
| 1890 | 14,187 | 16.8% |
| 1900 | 16,084 | 13.4% |
| 1910 | 17,487 | 8.7% |
| 1920 | 18,149 | 3.8% |
| 1930 | 18,001 | −0.8% |
| 1940 | 19,708 | 9.5% |
| 1950 | 16,441 | −16.6% |
| 1960 | 14,271 | −13.2% |
| 1970 | 14,335 | 0.4% |
| 1980 | 16,453 | 14.8% |
| 1990 | 15,715 | −4.5% |
| 2000 | 15,904 | 1.2% |
| 2010 | 14,564 | −8.4% |
| named Sanford County, 1868-1877 | ||
State Census
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Alabama denominations, view the Alabama Church Records wiki page.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Lamar County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1871-1880 Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880 at FamilySearch
Guide to Jefferson County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county is located in the central area of the state.[9]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Jefferson County has two official County seats - Birmingham and Bessemer.
Jefferson County Courthouses
Birmingham Division
716 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Rm 400
Birmingham, AL 35263
Phone:205-325-5355
Bessemer Division
1801 3rd Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: 205-481-4110
Jefferson County Website
Probate Judge has marriage records from 1818
Probate Records from 1870 and land records for 1820 [10]
Jefferson County, Alabama Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1881 | 1818 | 1881 | 1826 | 1820 | 1819 | 1816 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
1870 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.[12]
|
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Jefferson County:[14]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
| Cities | ||
|
||
| Towns | ||
|
|
|
|
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- The Book of Birmingham and Alabama Birmingham, Ala.: The Birmingham Ledger Publishers, 1914. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Librarye. Includes bios and photographs.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Jefferson County Biographies at The USGenWeb Archives Project
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web site has additional information on Jefferson county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
- Additional Jefferson County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records Vol. 1 and Vol. 5 at FamilySearch Digital Library
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Jefferson County census records online, see: Alabama Census.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 6,855 | ||
| 1840 | 7,131 | 4.0% | |
| 1850 | 8,989 | 26.1% | |
| 1860 | 11,746 | 30.7% | |
| 1870 | 12,345 | 5.1% | |
| 1880 | 23,272 | 88.5% | |
| 1890 | 88,501 | 280.3% | |
| 1900 | 140,420 | 58.7% | |
| 1910 | 226,476 | 61.3% | |
| 1920 | 310,054 | 36.9% | |
| 1930 | 431,493 | 39.2% | |
| 1940 | 459,930 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 558,928 | 21.5% | |
| 1960 | 634,864 | 13.6% | |
| 1970 | 644,991 | 1.6% | |
| 1980 | 671,371 | 4.1% | |
| 1990 | 651,525 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 662,047 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 658,466 | −0.5% | |
| Est. 2011 | 658,931 | −0.5% | |
State Census
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Alabama denominations, view the Alabama Church Records wiki page.
Baptists
- Hageness, MariLee Beatty. Mount Hebron Church Minutes 1819-1857. Leeds, Jefferson County, Alabama Anniston, Ala.: MLH Research, 1998. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Huey, Thomas E. Ruhama: The Story of a Church, 1819-1945 Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Print. Co., c1946. Digital version at Ancestry $
Episcopalians
- McDavid, Mittie Owen. Church of the Advent: Its History and Traditions Birmingham, Ala.: Press of Birmingham Pub. Co., 1943. Digital version at Ancestry $
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Birmingham
- McCalla
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916 ~ FamilySearch records collection
Directories[edit | edit source]
- Jefferson County, Alabama Online Historical Directories - identifies historical city, county, business and other directories available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- 1888-1890 Birmingham, Alabama Directories, 1888-90 at Ancestry $
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
- 1896-1935 Jefferson County, Alabama Colored Marriage Books 118-131, 167-169, 172-203 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1906-1975 Ward, Fred and Christine Shaw Ward. Angwin Mortuary Center of Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama 1906-1975 Digital version at Birmingham Genealogical Society website
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Jefferson County see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Jefferson County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2007. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes surname index. FHL Book 976.178 E7bg.
You can research land records in the Probate office of the Jefferson County, Alabama Courthouse. To learn more about accessing land records held in the Jefferson County Courthouse, see: Our genealogy journey to the Jefferson County, Alabama courthouse.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Jefferson County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Early Days in Birmingham: A Printing of the Original Papers of the Pioneers Club, Whose Members were Eye-witnesses to the Events of the Founding of the City Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Pub. Co., 1937. Digital version at Ancestry $
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Jefferson County (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Jefferson County Historical Maps ~ can be viewed online as well as purchased.
- Jefferson County MapStats ~ Alabama Dept. Archives and History.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
Regiments. Men in Jefferson County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Jefferson County:
- - 10th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B "Jefferson Volunteers"
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Cahaba Valley Rangers)
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G (Yancey Guards [or Yancey Rangers])
- - 19th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Jefferson Warriors)
- - 20th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and G
- - 28th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D, G and H
- - 30th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K
- - 43rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G
- - 58th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and D
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1871-1880 Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880 at FamilySearch
- 1880-1930 - Alabama, Confederate Pension Applications, ca. 1880-1930s at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch
World War I
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Alabama Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- Obituary Index Birmingham Area Newspapers(Birmingham News, May 1929 - January 1980;Birminham World, September 1940 - December 1996; Methodist Christian Advocate / Alabama Christian Advocate, January 1929 - December 1979; Shelby County Reporter, January 1932 - December 1979)
- Alabama Citizen - full-text digital issues in Google News Archive; covers 1913-1918
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
USGenWeb Archives Project - transcribed obituaries for Jefferson County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Jefferson County has one book.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1753-1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1840 Images of Loose Wills (and index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
- 1856-1880 Wills (with index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Birmingham Southern College: 1914-2008 (via the Internet Archive)
- Howard College Student Catalogs (currently Samford University): 1847-1908 (via the Internet Archive)
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
Jefferson County Tax Payment Records ~ County of Jefferson (searchable database)
- 1865-1866 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry $
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Alabama State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1930 - Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch — index, and some images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast $
- 1800-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry $
- 1808, 1815, 1818-1879, 1885, 1898, 1923, 1930, 1936-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1920 Alabama Marriages
- 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry $
- 1809-1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1816-1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1928 Jefferson County Marriage Books 1-28 Index 1818-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[15]
- 1818-1845 Grant, Orena V. Orena V. Grant Genealogical Collection (Marriages and Cemetery Records): From Southeastern, North and South Central States Salt Lake City, Utah: The Society?, 1964. Digital version at Ancestry $
- 1819-1875 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriages 1819 to 1875 at FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1819-1875 "Alabama Marriages, 1809-1920" at Ancestry $
- 1928-1949 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriage Books 110-215 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry $
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1952 Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
- 1881-1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $
- 1908-1959 Index to Deaths recorded by the state of Alabama at Ancestry $
- 1908-1974 Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library, Archives & Manuscripts Dept
2100 Park Place
Birmingham AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3631
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Bessemer Alabama Family History Center
831 Briarwood Dr
Bessemer, Alabama, 35022-4577
205-425-7928
Website
Birmingham Alabama Family History Center
2780 Altadena Rd
Birmingham, Alabama, 35243
Website
Birmingham 2nd Alabama Family History Center
1337 Old Springville Rd
Birmingham, Alabama 35235
205-854-0300
Website
Leeds AlabamaFamily History Center
1101 Rockhampton St NE
Leeds, Alabama, 35904-1326
Website
Gardendale Alabama Family History Center
1925 Mt Olive Blvd
Gardendale, Alabama 35071
205-631-6765
Website
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library
Southern History Department
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3665
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 2432
Birmingham, AL 35201
Facebook
- Publication: Pioneer Trails
Birmingham Historical Society
1 Sloss Quarters Birmingham, AL 35222
205-251-1880
Publication: Birmingham Historical Society Journal
Website
Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society
PO Box 130285
Birmingham, AL 35213-0285
205-871-6213
Hueytown Historical Society
P. O. Box 3313
Hueytown, AL 35053
Website
West Jefferson County Historical Society
P. O. Box 184
Bessemer, AL 35021-0184
205-426-1633
Birmingham African-American Society Group
205-901-6387
Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society
P. O. Box 246
Dothan, AL 36302-0246
Phone:334-794-8378
- Publications: Wiregrass Roots SEAGHS Magazine
Alabama Genealogical Society Samford University
P. O. Box 2296
Birmingham, AL 35229
Website
Jefferson County Historical Commission
4700 7th Ct South
Birmingham, AL 35222
205-324-0988
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project may have maps, name indexes, history, or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- USGenWeb Archives Project ~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Jefferson County, ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Jefferson County AL Genealogy (Alabama Genealogy)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- United States Resources: Alabama
- Al Gen Web
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/lamar/ 6/07/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lamar, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_County,_Alabama 6/07/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lamar County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_County,_Alabama, accessed 18 October 2018.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/jefferson/index.html 6/07/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Jefferson County Alabama in AllFreeRecords.com (accessed 16 March 2014).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Jefferson County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Alabama, accessed 18 October 2018.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/06/Igialabamadj.pdf.
Guide to Jefferson County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Jefferson County has two official County seats - Birmingham and Bessemer.
Jefferson County Courthouses
Birmingham Division
716 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Rm 400
Birmingham, AL 35263
Phone:205-325-5355
Bessemer Division
1801 3rd Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: 205-481-4110
Jefferson County Website
Probate Judge has marriage records from 1818
Probate Records from 1870 and land records for 1820 [3]
Jefferson County, Alabama Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1881 | 1818 | 1881 | 1826 | 1820 | 1819 | 1816 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
1870 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.[5]
|
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Jefferson County:[7]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
| Cities | ||
|
||
| Towns | ||
|
|
|
|
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- The Book of Birmingham and Alabama Birmingham, Ala.: The Birmingham Ledger Publishers, 1914. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Librarye. Includes bios and photographs.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Jefferson County Biographies at The USGenWeb Archives Project
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web site has additional information on Jefferson county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
- Additional Jefferson County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records Vol. 1 and Vol. 5 at FamilySearch Digital Library
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Jefferson County census records online, see: Alabama Census.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 6,855 | ||
| 1840 | 7,131 | 4.0% | |
| 1850 | 8,989 | 26.1% | |
| 1860 | 11,746 | 30.7% | |
| 1870 | 12,345 | 5.1% | |
| 1880 | 23,272 | 88.5% | |
| 1890 | 88,501 | 280.3% | |
| 1900 | 140,420 | 58.7% | |
| 1910 | 226,476 | 61.3% | |
| 1920 | 310,054 | 36.9% | |
| 1930 | 431,493 | 39.2% | |
| 1940 | 459,930 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 558,928 | 21.5% | |
| 1960 | 634,864 | 13.6% | |
| 1970 | 644,991 | 1.6% | |
| 1980 | 671,371 | 4.1% | |
| 1990 | 651,525 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 662,047 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 658,466 | −0.5% | |
| Est. 2011 | 658,931 | −0.5% | |
State Census
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Alabama denominations, view the Alabama Church Records wiki page.
Baptists
- Hageness, MariLee Beatty. Mount Hebron Church Minutes 1819-1857. Leeds, Jefferson County, Alabama Anniston, Ala.: MLH Research, 1998. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Huey, Thomas E. Ruhama: The Story of a Church, 1819-1945 Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Print. Co., c1946. Digital version at Ancestry $
Episcopalians
- McDavid, Mittie Owen. Church of the Advent: Its History and Traditions Birmingham, Ala.: Press of Birmingham Pub. Co., 1943. Digital version at Ancestry $
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Birmingham
- McCalla
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916 ~ FamilySearch records collection
Directories[edit | edit source]
- Jefferson County, Alabama Online Historical Directories - identifies historical city, county, business and other directories available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- 1888-1890 Birmingham, Alabama Directories, 1888-90 at Ancestry $
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
- 1896-1935 Jefferson County, Alabama Colored Marriage Books 118-131, 167-169, 172-203 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1906-1975 Ward, Fred and Christine Shaw Ward. Angwin Mortuary Center of Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama 1906-1975 Digital version at Birmingham Genealogical Society website
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Jefferson County see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Jefferson County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2007. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes surname index. FHL Book 976.178 E7bg.
You can research land records in the Probate office of the Jefferson County, Alabama Courthouse. To learn more about accessing land records held in the Jefferson County Courthouse, see: Our genealogy journey to the Jefferson County, Alabama courthouse.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Jefferson County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Early Days in Birmingham: A Printing of the Original Papers of the Pioneers Club, Whose Members were Eye-witnesses to the Events of the Founding of the City Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Pub. Co., 1937. Digital version at Ancestry $
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Jefferson County (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Jefferson County Historical Maps ~ can be viewed online as well as purchased.
- Jefferson County MapStats ~ Alabama Dept. Archives and History.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
Regiments. Men in Jefferson County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Jefferson County:
- - 10th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B "Jefferson Volunteers"
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Cahaba Valley Rangers)
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G (Yancey Guards [or Yancey Rangers])
- - 19th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Jefferson Warriors)
- - 20th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and G
- - 28th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D, G and H
- - 30th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K
- - 43rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G
- - 58th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and D
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1871-1880 Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880 at FamilySearch
- 1880-1930 - Alabama, Confederate Pension Applications, ca. 1880-1930s at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch
World War I
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Alabama Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- Obituary Index Birmingham Area Newspapers(Birmingham News, May 1929 - January 1980;Birminham World, September 1940 - December 1996; Methodist Christian Advocate / Alabama Christian Advocate, January 1929 - December 1979; Shelby County Reporter, January 1932 - December 1979)
- Alabama Citizen - full-text digital issues in Google News Archive; covers 1913-1918
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
USGenWeb Archives Project - transcribed obituaries for Jefferson County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Jefferson County has one book.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1753-1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1840 Images of Loose Wills (and index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
- 1856-1880 Wills (with index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Birmingham Southern College: 1914-2008 (via the Internet Archive)
- Howard College Student Catalogs (currently Samford University): 1847-1908 (via the Internet Archive)
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
Jefferson County Tax Payment Records ~ County of Jefferson (searchable database)
- 1865-1866 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry $
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Alabama State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1930 - Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch — index
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast $
- 1800-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry $
- 1808, 1815, 1818-1879, 1885, 1898, 1923, 1930, 1936-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1920 Alabama Marriages
- 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry $
- 1809-1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1816-1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1928 Jefferson County Marriage Books 1-28 Index 1818-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[8]
- 1818-1845 Grant, Orena V. Orena V. Grant Genealogical Collection (Marriages and Cemetery Records): From Southeastern, North and South Central States Salt Lake City, Utah: The Society?, 1964. Digital version at Ancestry $
- 1819-1875 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriages 1819 to 1875 at FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1819-1875 "Alabama Marriages, 1809-1920" at Ancestry $
- 1928-1949 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriage Books 110-215 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry $
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1952 Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
- 1881-1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $
- 1908-1959 Index to Deaths recorded by the state of Alabama at Ancestry $
- 1908-1974 Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library, Archives & Manuscripts Dept
2100 Park Place
Birmingham AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3631
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Bessemer Alabama Family History Center
831 Briarwood Dr
Bessemer, Alabama, 35022-4577
205-425-7928
Website
Birmingham Alabama Family History Center
2780 Altadena Rd
Birmingham, Alabama, 35243
Website
Birmingham 2nd Alabama Family History Center
1337 Old Springville Rd
Birmingham, Alabama 35235
205-854-0300
Website
Leeds AlabamaFamily History Center
1101 Rockhampton St NE
Leeds, Alabama, 35904-1326
Website
Gardendale Alabama Family History Center
1925 Mt Olive Blvd
Gardendale, Alabama 35071
205-631-6765
Website
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library
Southern History Department
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3665
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 2432
Birmingham, AL 35201
Facebook
- Publication: Pioneer Trails
Birmingham Historical Society
1 Sloss Quarters Birmingham, AL 35222
205-251-1880
Publication: Birmingham Historical Society Journal
Website
Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society
PO Box 130285
Birmingham, AL 35213-0285
205-871-6213
Hueytown Historical Society
P. O. Box 3313
Hueytown, AL 35053
Website
West Jefferson County Historical Society
P. O. Box 184
Bessemer, AL 35021-0184
205-426-1633
Birmingham African-American Society Group
205-901-6387
Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society
P. O. Box 246
Dothan, AL 36302-0246
Phone:334-794-8378
- Publications: Wiregrass Roots SEAGHS Magazine
Alabama Genealogical Society Samford University
P. O. Box 2296
Birmingham, AL 35229
Website
Jefferson County Historical Commission
4700 7th Ct South
Birmingham, AL 35222
205-324-0988
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project may have maps, name indexes, history, or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- USGenWeb Archives Project ~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Jefferson County, ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Jefferson County AL Genealogy (Alabama Genealogy)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- United States Resources: Alabama
- Al Gen Web
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/jefferson/index.html 6/07/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Jefferson County Alabama in AllFreeRecords.com (accessed 16 March 2014).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Jefferson County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Alabama, accessed 18 October 2018.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/06/Igialabamadj.pdf.
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Guide to Jefferson County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Jefferson County has two official County seats - Birmingham and Bessemer.
Jefferson County Courthouses
Birmingham Division
716 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Rm 400
Birmingham, AL 35263
Phone:205-325-5355
Bessemer Division
1801 3rd Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: 205-481-4110
Jefferson County Website
Probate Judge has marriage records from 1818
Probate Records from 1870 and land records for 1820 [3]
Jefferson County, Alabama Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1881 | 1818 | 1881 | 1826 | 1820 | 1819 | 1816 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
1870 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.[5]
|
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Jefferson County:[7]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
| Cities | ||
|
||
| Towns | ||
|
|
|
|
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- The Book of Birmingham and Alabama Birmingham, Ala.: The Birmingham Ledger Publishers, 1914. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Librarye. Includes bios and photographs.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Jefferson County Biographies at The USGenWeb Archives Project
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web site has additional information on Jefferson county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
- Additional Jefferson County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records Vol. 1 and Vol. 5 at FamilySearch Digital Library
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Jefferson County census records online, see: Alabama Census.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 6,855 | ||
| 1840 | 7,131 | 4.0% | |
| 1850 | 8,989 | 26.1% | |
| 1860 | 11,746 | 30.7% | |
| 1870 | 12,345 | 5.1% | |
| 1880 | 23,272 | 88.5% | |
| 1890 | 88,501 | 280.3% | |
| 1900 | 140,420 | 58.7% | |
| 1910 | 226,476 | 61.3% | |
| 1920 | 310,054 | 36.9% | |
| 1930 | 431,493 | 39.2% | |
| 1940 | 459,930 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 558,928 | 21.5% | |
| 1960 | 634,864 | 13.6% | |
| 1970 | 644,991 | 1.6% | |
| 1980 | 671,371 | 4.1% | |
| 1990 | 651,525 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 662,047 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 658,466 | −0.5% | |
| Est. 2011 | 658,931 | −0.5% | |
State Census
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Alabama denominations, view the Alabama Church Records wiki page.
Baptists
- Hageness, MariLee Beatty. Mount Hebron Church Minutes 1819-1857. Leeds, Jefferson County, Alabama Anniston, Ala.: MLH Research, 1998. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Huey, Thomas E. Ruhama: The Story of a Church, 1819-1945 Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Print. Co., c1946. Digital version at Ancestry $
Episcopalians
- McDavid, Mittie Owen. Church of the Advent: Its History and Traditions Birmingham, Ala.: Press of Birmingham Pub. Co., 1943. Digital version at Ancestry $
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Birmingham
- McCalla
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916 ~ FamilySearch records collection
Directories[edit | edit source]
- Jefferson County, Alabama Online Historical Directories - identifies historical city, county, business and other directories available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- 1888-1890 Birmingham, Alabama Directories, 1888-90 at Ancestry $
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
- 1896-1935 Jefferson County, Alabama Colored Marriage Books 118-131, 167-169, 172-203 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1906-1975 Ward, Fred and Christine Shaw Ward. Angwin Mortuary Center of Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama 1906-1975 Digital version at Birmingham Genealogical Society website
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Jefferson County see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Jefferson County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2007. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes surname index. FHL Book 976.178 E7bg.
You can research land records in the Probate office of the Jefferson County, Alabama Courthouse. To learn more about accessing land records held in the Jefferson County Courthouse, see: Our genealogy journey to the Jefferson County, Alabama courthouse.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Jefferson County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
- DuBose, John Witherspoon. Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama, Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Teeple and Smith, 1887. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Early Days in Birmingham: A Printing of the Original Papers of the Pioneers Club, Whose Members were Eye-witnesses to the Events of the Founding of the City Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Pub. Co., 1937. Digital version at Ancestry $
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Jefferson County (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Jefferson County Historical Maps ~ can be viewed online as well as purchased.
- Jefferson County MapStats ~ Alabama Dept. Archives and History.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
Regiments. Men in Jefferson County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a large regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Jefferson County:
- - 10th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B "Jefferson Volunteers"
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Cahaba Valley Rangers)
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G (Yancey Guards [or Yancey Rangers])
- - 19th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C (Jefferson Warriors)
- - 20th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and G
- - 28th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D, G and H
- - 30th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K
- - 43rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G
- - 58th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and D
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry $
- 1871-1880 Alabama, Southern Claims Commission Approved Claims, 1871-1880 at FamilySearch
- 1880-1930 - Alabama, Confederate Pension Applications, ca. 1880-1930s at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch
World War I
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Alabama Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both and pay-to-access websites.
- Obituary Index Birmingham Area Newspapers(Birmingham News, May 1929 - January 1980;Birminham World, September 1940 - December 1996; Methodist Christian Advocate / Alabama Christian Advocate, January 1929 - December 1979; Shelby County Reporter, January 1932 - December 1979)
- Alabama Citizen - full-text digital issues in Google News Archive; covers 1913-1918
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
USGenWeb Archives Project - transcribed obituaries for Jefferson County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Jefferson County has one book.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1753-1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1840 Images of Loose Wills (and index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
- 1856-1880 Wills (with index) Southeastern Genealogy ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Birmingham Southern College: 1914-2008 (via the Internet Archive)
- Howard College Student Catalogs (currently Samford University): 1847-1908 (via the Internet Archive)
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
Jefferson County Tax Payment Records ~ County of Jefferson (searchable database)
- 1865-1866 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry $
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Alabama State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1930 - Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch — index
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast $
- 1800-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry $
- 1808, 1815, 1818-1879, 1885, 1898, 1923, 1930, 1936-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1920 Alabama Marriages
- 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry $
- 1809-1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1816-1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch
- 1818-1928 Jefferson County Marriage Books 1-28 Index 1818-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[8]
- 1818-1845 Grant, Orena V. Orena V. Grant Genealogical Collection (Marriages and Cemetery Records): From Southeastern, North and South Central States Salt Lake City, Utah: The Society?, 1964. Digital version at Ancestry $
- 1819-1875 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriages 1819 to 1875 at FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1819-1875 "Alabama Marriages, 1809-1920" at Ancestry $
- 1928-1949 Jefferson County, Alabama Marriage Books 110-215 in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry $
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1952 Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
- 1881-1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $
- 1908-1959 Index to Deaths recorded by the state of Alabama at Ancestry $
- 1908-1974 Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library, Archives & Manuscripts Dept
2100 Park Place
Birmingham AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3631
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Bessemer Alabama Family History Center
831 Briarwood Dr
Bessemer, Alabama, 35022-4577
205-425-7928
Website
Birmingham Alabama Family History Center
2780 Altadena Rd
Birmingham, Alabama, 35243
Website
Birmingham 2nd Alabama Family History Center
1337 Old Springville Rd
Birmingham, Alabama 35235
205-854-0300
Website
Leeds AlabamaFamily History Center
1101 Rockhampton St NE
Leeds, Alabama, 35904-1326
Website
Gardendale Alabama Family History Center
1925 Mt Olive Blvd
Gardendale, Alabama 35071
205-631-6765
Website
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Public Library
Southern History Department
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: 205-226-3665
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Birmingham Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 2432
Birmingham, AL 35201
Facebook
- Publication: Pioneer Trails
Birmingham Historical Society
1 Sloss Quarters Birmingham, AL 35222
205-251-1880
Publication: Birmingham Historical Society Journal
Website
Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society
PO Box 130285
Birmingham, AL 35213-0285
205-871-6213
Hueytown Historical Society
P. O. Box 3313
Hueytown, AL 35053
Website
West Jefferson County Historical Society
P. O. Box 184
Bessemer, AL 35021-0184
205-426-1633
Birmingham African-American Society Group
205-901-6387
Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society
P. O. Box 246
Dothan, AL 36302-0246
Phone:334-794-8378
- Publications: Wiregrass Roots SEAGHS Magazine
Alabama Genealogical Society Samford University
P. O. Box 2296
Birmingham, AL 35229
Website
Jefferson County Historical Commission
4700 7th Ct South
Birmingham, AL 35222
205-324-0988
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project may have maps, name indexes, history, or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- USGenWeb Archives Project ~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Jefferson County, ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Jefferson County AL Genealogy (Alabama Genealogy)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- United States Resources: Alabama
- Al Gen Web
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/jefferson/index.html 6/07/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Jefferson County Alabama in AllFreeRecords.com (accessed 16 March 2014).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Jefferson County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Alabama, accessed 18 October 2018.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/06/Igialabamadj.pdf.
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- 1880-1930 - Alabama, Confederate Pension Applications, ca. 1880-1930s at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch
World War I
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Transcribed newspapers:
- The Vernon Pioneer (1875-1878)
- The Vernon Clipper (1879-1880)
- The Lamar News (1886-1887)
- The Vernon Courier (1886-1889)
- The Vernon Courier (1890-1894)
- Marriage notices found in the transcribed newspapers at The USGenWeb Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- A collection of obituaries and death notices from various funeral homes in the Lamar County area has been put together by GenealogyBuffs.com:
- Lamar County, Alabama Obituary and Death Notices Collection
- Death notices and obituaries found in the transcribed newspapers at The USGenWeb Archives
- Marriage notices found in the transcribed newspapers at The USGenWeb Archives
- 1881-1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch
- 1908-1974 Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1974 Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry $
- 1908-1959 Alabama Deaths,1908-59 at Ancestry $
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Lamar County has one book.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1753-1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry $
- 1809-1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
- Lamar County, Alabama Estate Record 1 at USGenWeb.org by Sabra Newell Sudberry.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Alabama State Department of Health , the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online $.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Alabama.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch
- 1881-1930 - Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch — index
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1733-2013 Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast $
- 1800-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry $
- 1802-1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry $
- 1809-1920 Alabama Marriages, Alabama, Compiled Marriages from Selected Counties, 1809-1920 from Ancestry $
- 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry $
- 1809-1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1816-1957 Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection.
- 1870-1892, 1936-1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry $
- 1870-1900 "Alabama Marriages, 1809-1920" at Ancestry $
- 1877-1936 Lamar County Marriage Books 3-13 Index 1877-1936 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[1]
- Marriages at ALGenWeb
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $
- 1908-1959 Index to Deaths recorded by the state of Alabama at Ancestry $
- 1908-1974 Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
- 1937 Lamar County Death Index 1937. Batch B547381 at FamilySearch
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library
110 1st Ave. NW
Vernon, AL 35592
205-695-6123
Website
- Houses the collection of the Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society
P. O. Box 357
Vernon, AL 35592
205-695-6123
Facebook
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Lamar County ALGenWeb
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- USGenWeb Archives Project ~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
- Lamar Co. AL
- United States Resources: Alabama
- Al Gen Web
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/c/cf/Igialabamals.pdf.
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