Alabama Genealogy Research Guide:
Alabama Census Records:
Alabama became a territory in 1817. Prior to this, it was part of Mississippi Territory. In 1819, Alabama became a state. The first Federal census taken in Alabama occurred in 1820, however, much of this first census was lost, leaving only Baldwin County, Conecuh County, Franklin County, Limestone County, Shelby County and St. Clair County. Federal censuses were taken every ten years thereafter. Alabama Federal Census Years:
- 1820 AL census is the first Federal census available and it is only partial.
- 1830
- 1840
- 1850
- 1860
- 1870
- 1880
- 1890 Census was lost in a warehouse fire, with only a few remnants surviving. Alabama census remnants are for portions of Perry County. They are Perryville - Beat 11 and Severe - Beat 8.
- 1900
- 1910
- 1920
- 1930
Other Alabama Censuses
- There are some early Spanish census records for Mobile, Alabama for years: 1786, 1787, 1789 and 1805.
- Alabama took some state census enumerations. More information about these can be found at the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH).
Alabama Military Records:
US Military service records can be obtained from the National Archives and Records Administration. Alabama Civil War Cards are searchable online at the Alabama Archives. This Alabama Civil War database is a work in progress but will ultimately contain over 250,000 cards.
Alabama Confederate pension records can also be obtained from the Alabama archives. These Civil War pensions were granted as early as 1867 to soldiers who were injured. Alabama Department of Archives and History 624 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Telephone: 334-242-4363 United States Civil War Prisons has some prisoner lists online. Alabama Vital Records:
Alabama began officially recording birth and death records in 1908.
Alabama birth and death certificates are on file at the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.
Alabama marriage and divorce records are on file at the county clerk's office of each individual county. Some early marriages are online at Alabama Marriages Before 1825.
Alabama Genealogy Subscriptions Online:
Many websites with genealogy resources for Alabama are available online. Some offer free
AL genealogy databases and other information for the online researcher, but the subscription websites hold a more consistent amount of quality data and offer free trials to that data.
1.
Alabama Genealogy Databases at Ancestry.com
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Ancestry.com Free Trial when you register!
2. Genealogy.com
offers genealogy databases, a library and U.S. Census Collection. FREE
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