These indexes are available at the Family History Library and many libraries with family history collections.

Web Sites about Your Family

Search the Internet for family history web sites about your surname. Use the “Search for Ancestors” feature of the FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service at www.familysearch.org/default.asp to help you find such sites.

Statewide Indexes

Genealogical publications and collections generally contain birth, marriage, and death information, often for several generations. Some biographical information also may be included.

Some of the major genealogical indexes and collections for Alabama are:

Alabama. Department of Archives and History. Surname Collection. Montgomery, Ala.: Department, 1985. (On 675 FHL films beginning with 1486776; computer number 481548.) This collection is arranged alphabetically and includes published and manuscript materials from the 1700s to 1985.

Gandrud, Pauline Myra Jones. Alabama Records. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1981–. 245 vols. (FHL book 976.1 D29ja; computer number 143946.) To date, 100 of the 245 volumes have been published. Volumes 1–232 and 235 are available on films (see the source below). There are one or more volumes for most counties. This collection has transcripts of tombstone inscriptions; death, marriage, probate, land , church , and court records; Bible records; obituaries; tax lists; military pensions; and other records. Each volume is individually indexed.

A typescript edition of the above records was filmed at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library in Washington, D.C.:

Jones, Kathleen Paul and Pauline Jones Gandrud. Alabama Records. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1939–1983. (FHL films 840512–29 and 844382–91; computer number 180135.) These films contain volumes 1–232 and 235. There are often several volumes for a county.

Another DAR collection is Miscellaneous Records cited in the “Cemeteries” section of this outline. A surname index for these two DAR collections is:

Kirkham, E. Kay. An Index to Some of the Family Records of the Southern States: 35,000 Microfilm References from the NSDAR Files and Elsewhere. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1979. (FHL book 973 D22kk Vol.1; fiche 6089183; computer number 32871.) There are two alphabetical surname indexes in the book, both of which should be searched. Not all individuals were included in the index.

See the United States Research Outline (30972) “Genealogy” section for other important indexes.

For family histories published in periodicals, from 1847 to the present, see the Periodical Source Index, mentioned in the “Periodicals” section of this outline.

Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. Usually these must be searched in person. Major collections of compiled genealogies and genealogical source material for Alabama include:

England, Flora D. Alabama Notes. 4vols. in 2. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1977. (FHL book 976.1 D2ef 1977; computer number 247926.)

Lineage Book (Alabama Genealogical Society). 2vols. Birmingham, Ala.: Alabama Genealogical Society, 1991, 1997. (FHL book 976.1 D2L; computer number 627218.) These volumes contain the name and address of each member and have four-generation pedigree charts, usually starting with the member’s parents. The charts provide names of ancestors with birth, marriage, and death dates and places. Each volume has about 4,000 names and is fully indexed.

Saunders, James E. Early Settlers of Alabama. 1899. Reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1969. (FHL book 976.1 D2s 1969; fiche 6051449; computer number 248018; a 1961 publication is on film 2360; computer number 248017.) The book is indexed, but for a more complete index, see:

Oliver, Lloyd F. Index to Colonel James Edmonds Saunders’ Early Settlers of Alabama. Tomball, Tex.: Genealogical Publications, 1978. (FHL book 976.1 D2s index; computer number 6041.)

Ancestor Charts. Huntsville, Ala.: Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, 1975–. 4vols. (FHL book 976.19 B2tv; film 982377 item3; computer number 264042.) The Tennessee River Valley crosses through the northern part of Alabama. These ancestor charts of members of the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society often contain birth, marriage, and death information for five generations of the submitter’s family. The address of the submitter is given.

Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society (Alabama). Lineage Chart Book. Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Society, 1979, 1990. (FHL book 976.1 D2t; computer number 18379.) Each volume contains six-generation lineage charts, some with information to the 1600s. Each volume is indexed by surname.

Genealogies are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

ALABAMA- GENEALOGYALABAMA- SOCIETIESALABAMA, [COUNTY]- GENEALOGYALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- GENEALOGY