Alabama Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1881 to 1930

These collections are electronic indexes comprised of the following:


 * Indexed church records
 * Civil registrations
 * The Internet indexing project sponsored by the LDS Church

The Vital Record Indexes are not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. These collections may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.

Sometimes we identify a set of entries for a locality and record type that form their own collection. When these are identified and pulled together into the new “complete” collection (usually with images), the entries are removed from the Vital Records Index collection.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in birth and christening index entries may include:


 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Christening date (if the source is a church record)
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

Coverage Table
The Coverage Table shows the places and time periods of the original records in this collection. The table indicates how many records the collection has from each place. Most of the records in the collection are from the time periods listed in the table; however, the collection may have a few records from before or after the time period.

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the name of your ancestor and some other identifying information such as the date or place of the event.

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor. Remember this is only an index, not the original records.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may lead you to the original source that was indexed.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * The records are very brief, so it is easy to confuse individuals in the index. In addition, an individual may be listed multiple times with slight spelling variations of their name.
 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to determine if any of the individuals in this collection are part of your family.
 * Additional searches of the index may be necessary to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.
 * Information submitted by private individuals is available in the "Trees" section of FamilySearch.
 * Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of family history information.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for a different index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the records of nearby states or countries.
 * Search the Family History Library Catalog to see if other records for this place are available.

Indexing Project (Batch) Numbers
Individual indexing projects were given a unique number called a batch number. The batch numbers listed in this index are links. Clicking on the batch number will display an alphabetical list of all the index entries in that batch.

Finding the Original Source for an Entry in This Collection
Each entry in this index includes a source film number. You may find additional information by searching the film. These film numbers are Family History Library Catalog numbers. To find more information about a specific FHL film number, search for it in the Family History Library Catalog.

The following wiki articles have more information on batch numbers:


 * IGI
 * IGI Batch Number Descriptions
 * IGI Batch Numbers for the British Isles and North America

If an FHL film number is given in the entry for your ancestor, search for it in the Family History Library Catalog.

Related Websites
Alabama Genealogical Trails, transcribed genealogical data, searchable by county. Free.

Related Wiki Articles

 * Alabama
 * Alabama Birth, Marriage and Death Records
 * Alabama Vital Records Online

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Alabama, Births and Christenings, 1881-1930," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F3RT-NYZ : accessed 23 April 2012), John T. Smith, 1883; citing Tallapoosa County Board of Health, FHL microfim number 1304544,Tallapoosa County Courthouse, Dadeville, Alabama.