Dale County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Dale County, Alabama ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Dale County, Alabama | |
| Map | |
 Location of Alabama in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | December 22, 1824 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Ozark |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Dale County Courthouse Court Square Ozark, AL 36360 Phone:(334) 774-5003 Dale County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 County Courthouse
- 3 History
- 4 Places/Localities
- 5 Resources
- 6 Societies and Libraries
County Information
Dale County, Alabama Record Dates
| | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1919 | 1884 | 1920 | 1830 | 1895 | 1895 |
County Courthouse
Probate Judge has marriage and probate records from 1884 and land records;
Clerk Circuit Court has court records and divorce records from 1885
County Health Department has birth records [2]
Description
The County was named in honor of General Samuel Dale. The County has Ozark as its seat and the County was created December 22, 1824. [3]The County is located in the southeast area of the state.[4]
History
Parent County
1824--Dale County was created 22 December 1824 from Covington, Henry and Pike Counties.
County seat: Ozark [5]
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
Dale County had destructive courthouse fires in 1869, and 1884. See Research in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide page 27 for suggested alternative sources to overcome this loss.[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
Neighboring Counties
Resources
Biographies
Biographies of many notable residents of Dale County, Alabama Genealogy were published in Memorial Record of Alabama (1893). Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free. Begins on page 802.
Cemeteries
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The following web site has additional information on Dale county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
- Additional Dale County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records Vol. 1 at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
Census
| Dale County, Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 2,031 | — |
| 1840 | 7,397 | 264.2% |
| 1850 | 6,382 | −13.7% |
| 1860 | 12,197 | 91.1% |
| 1870 | 11,325 | −7.1% |
| 1880 | 12,677 | 11.9% |
| 1890 | 17,225 | 35.9% |
| 1900 | 21,189 | 23.0% |
| 1910 | 21,608 | 2.0% |
| 1920 | 22,711 | 5.1% |
| 1930 | 23,175 | 2.0% |
| 1940 | 22,685 | −2.1% |
| 1950 | 20,828 | −8.2% |
| 1960 | 31,066 | 49.2% |
| 1970 | 52,995 | 70.6% |
| 1980 | 47,821 | −9.8% |
| 1990 | 49,633 | 3.8% |
| 2000 | 49,129 | −1.0% |
| 2010 | 50,251 | 2.3% |
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.
Methodist
- Wells, Glenn L. History of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, Alabama. Ozark, Ala.: The Church?, 1973. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Court
Land and Property
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Alabama Land and Property for additional information about early Alabama land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Dale County, Alabama Genealogy see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Dale County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2007. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes free surname index. FHL Book 976.133 E7bg.
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Dale 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.
- Hayes, Eustus Howard. Miscellaneous Records, Dale County, Alabama. n.d. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
Maps
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Dale County, Alabama Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
Military
Civil War
Civil War service men from Dale 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 Dale County.
- - 1st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company A and F
- - 15th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E (Beauregards)
- - 15th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F (Brundidge Guards)
- - 15th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H (Glenville Guards)
- - 33rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B, G and I
- - 59th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E
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
Newspapers
Finding More Alabama Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Dale County, Alabama Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Dale 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 Dale County, Alabama Genealogy Probate Court. Most records are housed at the Dale 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.
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 ($). Dale County is in District 1.
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.
- 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.
- 1884–1901, 1933, 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.
- 1884–1901, 1933, 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.
- 1884–1900 "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.
- 1884–1900 "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 $. Volunteers extracted the details in this index from microfilmed copies of church, civil, family, and other records of Alabama deaths and burials. details vary depending on the original record. 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 $. Volunteers extracted the details in this index from microfilmed copies of church, civil, family, and other records of Alabama deaths and burials. details vary depending on the original record. 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 $
Vital Record Substitutes
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.
A free collection of obituaries and death notices from various funeral homes in the Dale County area has been put together by GenealogyBuffs.com.
Voting Registers
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Dale County has one book.
Societies and Libraries
Southeast Alabama Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 246
Dothan, AL
36302-0246
Publication: Wiregrass Roots
Dale County Genealogical & Historical Society
416 James Street
Ozark, AL
36360
Dale Ozark-Dale Public Library
334-774-5480
Dale Ozark-Dale Public Library Website
Family History Center
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.
- Introduction to LDS Family History Centers
- Dothan Alabama
- 3199 Ross Clark Cir NW
Dothan, Dale/Houston/Henry/Geneva, Alabama, United States
Phone: 334-793-7425
Hours: T 8:30-11:30pm, 1:30pm-4pm; T-Th 6:30pm-8:30pm; Th 9am-12pm, 1pm-3:30pm
- 3199 Ross Clark Cir NW
- Enterprise Alabama
- 110 Shell Field Rd
Enterprise, Coffee, Dale, Houston, Geneva, Alabama, United States
Phone: 334-347-3631
Hours: Tues & Thurs 10 am -2pm Wed 4pm-8pm;
other times by appt.
Closures: Closed on Holidays
- 110 Shell Field Rd
- Ozark Alabama
- Mixon School Rd
Ozark, Dale, Alabama, United States
Phone: 334-774-9405
Hours: T-Th 6pm-8pm
Website
- Mixon School Rd
Websites
- Dale 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.
- Dale County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Dale County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Dale County Genealogy (Alabama Genealogy) - Dale County genealogy resources by city and record type
References
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, Revised ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992), 13-28. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27rb 1992
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Dale County p. 36. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Dale County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/dale/ 06/02/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Dale, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_County,_Alabama 06/02/2017.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Marilyn Davis Barefield, Researching in Alabama: a Genealogical Guide (Birmingham, Alabama : Birmingham Public Library, 1998), 27. At various libraries (WorldCat). FHL Book 976.1 D27b 1998.
