Alabama, Wills and Deeds - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index and images of wills and deeds from various counties in Alabama. The index records were created by robokeying.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
These records may contain the following information:

Bible entries
 * Husband and his birthday
 * Wife and her birthday
 * Marriage date
 * Names and birth dates of their children

Wills
 * Name of the individual whose will it is
 * Date will was filed
 * Name of spouse
 * Name or names of children
 * Place will filed
 * Witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The date of the event or name of parent or spouse

View the Images
To view images in this collection:
 * 1) Look at the [DFNL URL Link Text] article to determine the folder/film number for the images you want to see
 * 2) Go to the Browse Page
 * 3) Select the Film number to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use a probate record to identify guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use a will to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
 * Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records for earlier years
 * Use the information to locate census, christening, marriage and land records
 * Search for military records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Alabama.
 * Alabama Guided Research
 * Alabama Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.