Marion County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Marion County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Tax Records
- 2.27 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named in honor of Francis Marion of South Carolina, general in the American Revolutionary War. It is located in the northwest area of the state.[2].
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Marion County Courthouse
132 Military Street
PO Box 1595
Hamilton, AL 35570
Phone: 205-921-1943
Fax: 205-952-9851
Marion County Website
Probate Judge has birth and death records 1909 -1919; marriage records from 1885, land records from 1887; and military discharge records from 1920 [3]
Marion 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 |
| 1909 | 1885 | 1909 | 1887 | 1887 | 1885 | 1816 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
Marion County had destructive courthouse fires in 1866, and 1883. See Research in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide page 28 for suggested alternative sources to overcome this loss.[4] For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
|
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Marion County:[6]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator.
| Cities | ||
|
||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
|
|
|
| Townships | ||
|
|
|
| Ghost towns | ||
|
||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
The county is named after "The Swamp Fox" Revolutionary War Brigadier General Francis Marion (c1732-1795).[7]
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 Marion county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Marion County census records online, see: Alabama Census.
| Marion County, Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 4,058 | — |
| 1840 | 5,847 | 44.1% |
| 1850 | 7,833 | 34.0% |
| 1860 | 11,182 | 42.8% |
| 1870 | 6,059 | −45.8% |
| 1880 | 9,364 | 54.5% |
| 1890 | 11,347 | 21.2% |
| 1900 | 14,494 | 27.7% |
| 1910 | 17,495 | 20.7% |
| 1920 | 22,008 | 25.8% |
| 1930 | 25,967 | 18.0% |
| 1940 | 28,776 | 10.8% |
| 1950 | 27,264 | −5.3% |
| 1960 | 21,837 | −19.9% |
| 1970 | 23,788 | 8.9% |
| 1980 | 30,041 | 26.3% |
| 1990 | 29,830 | −0.7% |
| 2000 | 31,214 | 4.6% |
| 2010 | 30,776 | −1.4% |
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.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Marion County see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Marion County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2006. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes surname index. FHL Book 976.189 E7b.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Marion County. The histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Marion County (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
Regiments. Men in Marion 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 Marion County:
- - 5th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company E, F, H and K
- - 16th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G and K
- - 26th Regiment, Alabama Infantry (O'Neal's), Company F, G and H
- - 42nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K
- 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. 1880-1930's at FamilySearch
- 1907, 1921, 1927 Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch
- 1881 Pensions. Southeastern Genealogy ($)
World War I
- 1917-1919 - Alabama, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Alabama, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Transcription of the following newspapers:
- Marion County Herald - (1887-1890)
- The Guin Dispatch - (1888-1889)
- The Hamilton Free Press-1893 - 1894
- The Hamilton News Press - 1895
- Marion County News (1896-1899)
- The Hamilton Appeal 1896
- The Guin Gazette-1
- The Gazette Appeal - 1897
- Marion County Democrat (1903-1904)
- Marion County Republican - (1908)
- Marion county articles from various newspapers around the country-1838 - 1900
- Marion County articles from various newspapers around the country - 1901 - 1922
- Obituaries and death notices from the transcribed newspapers at The USGenWeb Archives
- Marriage notices from the transcribed newspapers at The USGenWeb Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Marion County has one book.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1753 – 1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry
- 1809 – 1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Alabama tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page Alabama Taxation.
- 1865-1866 - U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918 at Ancestry ($). Marion County is in District 3.
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 Historical Records Collection
- 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 $
- 1809-1920 Alabama Marriages,1809-1920 (Selected Counties) at Ancestry $
- 1809 – 1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch.org
- 1816 – 1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch.org
- 1861, 1865, 1886-1901,1936–1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry– ($); . This collection is comprised of indexes created by several agencies - the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Jordan Dodd of Liahona Research, and Hunting For Bears.
- 1887-1895 - Marion County Marriage Books 1 and 2 Index 1887-1895. Batch M593361 at FamilySearch[8]
- 1887-1900 "Alabama Marriages, 1809–1920" at Ancestry– ($); . This database is a collection of marriage records from the state. Researchers will find the names of both bride and groom along with the marriage date. The county where the ceremony was performed is also provided. Containing about 150,000 records and the names of nearly 300,000 men and women.
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry– ($); . contains over 12,000 names. Each entry includes groom, bride, marriage date, county, and state. Every name is indexed so you can search for one name, or two names that are linked.
- Marion County Marriages at ALGenWeb
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1881-1952 - Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
- 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry – ($); . Volunteers extracted the details in this index from microfilmed copies of church, civil, family, and other records of Alabama deaths and burials. details vary depending on the original record. Note that the number of available records can vary widely by county, and this database does not necessarily represent a comprehensive set of death records for the state during this time.
- 1908-1959 Index to Deaths Recorded by the State of Alabama at Ancestry– ($); . The index includes name of the deceased, county of death, date of death, and the state certificate number (volume and page).
- 1908-1974 - Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection
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]
Winfield Public Library
185 Ashwood Drive
Winfield, Alabama 35594
Phone: 205-487-2484
Website
- The library has a genealogy section.
Clyde Nix Public Library
PO Box 1944
350 Bexar Avenue West
Hamilton AL 35570
Phone: 205-921-4290
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Marion County Genealogical Society
P. O. Drawer 1527
Winfield, AL 35594
Website
Marion County Historical Society
P. O. Box 492
Hamilton, AL 35570
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.
- Marion County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Marion County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Marion County Genealogy Trails - contains transcriptions, newspaper transcriptions, obituaries and marriages from newspapers and much, much more
- 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.
- Marion Co. AL
- 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, "Marion County, Alabama Genealogy and History", http://genealogytrails.com/ala/marion/ 6/08/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Alabama.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Marilyn Davis Barefield, Researching in Alabama: a Genealogical Guide (Birmingham, Alabama : Birmingham Public Library, 1998), 28. At various libraries (WorldCat). FHL Book 976.1 D27b 1998.
- ↑ 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, "Marion County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_County,_Alabama, accessed 22 October 2018.
- ↑ "Francis Marion," Wikipedia.
- ↑ 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.
