Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Coosa County, Alabama ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Coosa County, Alabama | |
| Map | |
 Location of Alabama in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | December 18, 1832 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Rockford |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Coosa County Courthouse Main Street Rockford, AL 35136 Phone (205) 377-4988 Coosa County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 County Courthouse
- 3 History
- 4 Places/Localities
- 5 Resources
- 6 Societies and Libraries
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
County Information
Coosa County, Alabama Record Dates
| | ||||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1920 | 1834 | 1920 | 1834 | 1834 | 1834 | 1816 |
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County Courthouse
Probate Records Office has a few birth and death records 1920-1945
Marriage, Probate, Land and Military records from 1834
Circuit Court Records from 1834 [2]
Description
The County name derives from a town of the Creek tribe. The County has Rockford as its seat and the County was created December 18, 1832. [3]The County is located in the central area of the state.[4]
History
Parent County
Coosa County was formed from the Creek Cession of 1832 so does not have a parent county.
Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Alabama county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Alabama County Boundary Maps" (1799-1980) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.
Record Loss
Coosa County had destructive courthouse fires in 1900 and 1925.[5] [6]
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
- Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
- Arlene Eakle, When the Records are Gone in the Tennessee Genealogy Blog.
- Michael John Neill, Burned Counties in Family History Circle.
Places/Localities
Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
Neighboring Counties
Resources
Biography
Biographies of many notable residents of Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy were published in Memorial Record of Alabama (1893). Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free. Begins on page 722.
- Coosa County Biographies at The USGenWeb Archives Project - free.
Cemeteries
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The following web site has additional information on Coosa county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
- Additional Coosa County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 6 at FamilySearch Books Online.
- Ivison, Hazle R. Collins. Index to Alabama Cemeteries: Blount County, Coosa County, St. Clair County, Talladega County, Winston County. n.d. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online.
Census
| Coosa County, Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 6,995 | — |
| 1850 | 14,543 | 107.9% |
| 1860 | 19,273 | 32.5% |
| 1870 | 11,945 | −38.0% |
| 1880 | 15,113 | 26.5% |
| 1890 | 15,906 | 5.2% |
| 1900 | 16,144 | 1.5% |
| 1910 | 16,634 | 3.0% |
| 1920 | 14,839 | −10.8% |
| 1930 | 12,460 | −16.0% |
| 1940 | 13,460 | 8.0% |
| 1950 | 11,766 | −12.6% |
| 1960 | 10,726 | −8.8% |
| 1970 | 10,662 | −0.6% |
| 1980 | 11,377 | 6.7% |
| 1990 | 11,063 | −2.8% |
| 2000 | 12,202 | 10.3% |
| 2010 | 11,539 | −5.4% |
| Sources: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. through 1960 | ||
For tips on accessing Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy census records online, see: Alabama Census.
State Census
- 1866 - Alabama State Census, 1866 at FamilySearch — index
Church Records
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
Land and Property
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Coosa County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2008. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes free surname index. FHL Book 976.159 E7b.
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
Maps
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
Military
Civil War
Civil War service men from Coosa County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Coosa County.
- - 2nd Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company G
- - 3rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company I "Wetumpka Light Guards"
- - 8th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B "Governor's Guards"
- - 12th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B "Coosa Volunteers"
- - 13th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H
- - 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D (Coosa Farmers)
- - 34th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B and C
- - 46th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company A
- - 46th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B
- - 47th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H
- - 59th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company C and K
- - 60th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B
Online Records'
- 1861-1865 - Alabama Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1861-1865 - Alabama Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1907, 1921, 1927 - Alabama, Census of Confederate Veterans, 1907, 1921, 1927 at FamilySearch — images
World War I
- 1917-1919 - Alabama, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch — index
Newspapers
Finding More Alabama Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).
Probate Records
Probate records are held by the Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy Probate Court. Most records are housed at the Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy Courthouse. Many records are on microfilm at the Family History Library.
See the wiki page Alabama Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their places of residence.
Record types: Wills, dower records, personal property sales, settlement records, orphans’ records, and bonds.
- Hull, Edward F. Early Records of Coosa County, Alabama, 1832-1860: Wills, Administrations and Marriage Records. n.d. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
Online Probate Records
- 1753 – 1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry $
- 1809 – 1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch
Taxation
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 ($). Coosa County is in District 2.
Vital Records
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. See also How to order Alabama Vital Records
Birth
- 1881-1930 - Alabama, Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free
- 1881 – 1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch
Marriage
- 1733-2013 - Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry $. 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.
- 1816-1957 - Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957 FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free
- 1832-1860 - Hull, Edward F. Early Records of Coosa County, Alabama, 1832-1860: Wills, Administrations and Marriage Records. n.d. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
- 1834–1848, 1878–1901, 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.
- 1834–1848, 1878–1901, 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.
- 1834–1847; 1878–1900 "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.
- 1834–1847; 1878–1900 "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.
- 1809 – 1950 Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1816 – 1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch
- 1800 – 1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry $
- 1809 – 1920 Alabama Marriages, 1809-1920 (Selected Counties) at Ancestry $
Death
- 1881-1952 - Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free
- 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $ 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.
- 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry $ 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).
- 1908–1959 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 FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free
- 1881 – 1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch
- 1908 – 1974 Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch
- 1881 – 1974 Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry $
- 1908 – 1959 Alabama Deaths, 1908-59 at Ancestry $
Voting Registers
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Coosah County has one book.
Societies and Libraries
Coosa County Historical Society
P. O. Box 5
Rockford, AL
35136
Publication: Coosa Heritage
Coosa Rockford Public Library
256-377-4911
- [ Kissin' Cuzens of Coosa]
Family History Centers
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. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.
Websites
- Coosa County, AL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- 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.
- Coosa County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Coosa County, Alabama. Page 36 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 33.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Coosa County p. 36. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/coosa/ 06/02/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Coosa, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coosa_County,_Alabama 06/02/2017.
- ↑ Marilyn Davis Barefield, Researching in Alabama: a Genealogical Guide (Birmingham, Alabama : Birmingham Public Library, 1998), 25. At various libraries (WorldCat). FHL Book 976.1 D27b 1998.
- ↑ Images for Coosa County, Alabama in CourtHouseHistory.com: A Historical Look at Our Nation's County Courthouses through Postcards (16 March 2014).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Coosa County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coosa_County,_Alabama, accessed 9 October 2018.
