Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Franklin County, Alabama ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Franklin County, Alabama | |
| Map | |
 Location of Alabama in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | February 6, 1818 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Russellville |
| Courthouse | |
| Address | Franklin County Courthouse 410 North Jackson Ave. Russellville, AL 35653, (256) 332-8861 Franklin County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 County Courthouse
- 3 History
- 4 Places/Localities
- 5 Resources
- 6 Societies and Libraries
- 7 Helpful Websites
- 8 Franklin County Alabama Genealogy Websites
- 9 Franklin County Alabama Genealogy References
County Information
Franklin County, Alabama Record Dates
| | ||||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1916 | 1890 | 1890 | 1923 | 1890 | 1890 | 1816 |
| | ||||||
County Courthouse
Franklin County Courthouse
410 North Jackson Ave.
Russellville, AL 35653, (256) 332-8861
Records burned 1890
Probate Judge has marriage, probate and land records from 1890
Clerk Circuit Court has court records from 1923 and divorce records[2]
Description
The County was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. The County has Russellville as its seat and the County was created February 6, 1818. [3]The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[4]
History
Parent County
1818--Franklin County was created 6 February 1818 from the Cherokee and Chickasaw Cession of 1816.
County seat: Russellville [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
Franklin County had a destructive courthouse fire in 1890. 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. By Michael John Neill. Online at: 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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| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
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Neighboring Counties
Resources
Biography
Biographies of many notable residents of Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy were published in Memorial Record of Alabama (1893). Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free. Begins on page 1027.
Cemeteries
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The following web site has additional information on Franklin county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
Census
| Franklin County, Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 4,988 | — |
| 1830 | 11,078 | 122.1% |
| 1840 | 14,270 | 28.8% |
| 1850 | 19,610 | 37.4% |
| 1860 | 18,627 | −5.0% |
| 1870 | 8,006 | −57.0% |
| 1880 | 9,155 | 14.4% |
| 1890 | 10,681 | 16.7% |
| 1900 | 16,511 | 54.6% |
| 1910 | 19,369 | 17.3% |
| 1920 | 22,011 | 13.6% |
| 1930 | 25,372 | 15.3% |
| 1940 | 27,552 | 8.6% |
| 1950 | 25,705 | −6.7% |
| 1960 | 21,988 | −14.5% |
| 1970 | 23,933 | 8.8% |
| 1980 | 28,350 | 18.5% |
| 1990 | 27,814 | −1.9% |
| 2000 | 31,223 | 12.3% |
| 2010 | 31,704 | 1.5% |
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
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.
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Franklin 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.
- Northern Alabama, Historical and Biographical. Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land, 1888. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online. Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy begins on page 102.
Maps
for more resources
Military
Civil War, 1861-1865
Civil War service men from Franklin 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 Franklin County.
- - 1st Battalion, Alabama Artillery, Company F
- - 2nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E
- - 4th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry (Roddy's), Company E and L
- - 5th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company E
- - 16th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company A
- - 16th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E and H
- - 27th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company A, B and G
- - 35th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company B and K
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 Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).
Periodicals
- Valley Leaves. 1966–. Published by the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1568, Huntsville, Alabama 35807. FHL Book 976.19 B2v. Website identifies articles relating to Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy (click "Search by County").
Probate Records
Probate records are held by the Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy Probate Court. Most records are housed at the Franklin 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.com — index and images $
- 1809 – 1985 Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 at FamilySearch — images
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 ($). Franklin County is in District 3.
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
- http://www.algw.org/franklin/births.html Births] atALGenWeb - 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 $. contains over 12,000 names. 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.
- 1733-2013 - Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1823–1825, 1875, 1890–1902, 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.
- 1823–1825, 1875, 1890–1902, 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.
- 1890–1900 "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.
- 1890–1900 "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.
- Marriages at ALGenWeb
- 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 Alabama marriages
Death
- 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 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free
- 1881 – 1952 Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at Family Search.
- 1908 – 1974 Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch
- 1881 – 1974 Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry $
- 1908 – 1959 Alabama Deaths Alabama Deaths At Ancestry $
Voting Registers
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Franklin County has one book.
Societies and Libraries
Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 1568
Huntsville, Alabama
35807
205-728-2788
Publication: Valley Leaves
Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society
Natchez Trace Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 420
Florence, AL
35360
Publication: Natchez Trace Traveler
Natchez Trace Genealogical Society
Russellville Heritage Preservation Society
P. O. Box 1095
Russellville, AL
35653
Tennessee Valley Historical Society
P. O. Box 149
Sheffield, AL
35660
Publication: Journal of Muscle Shoals History
TENNESSEE VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Franklin County Archives
300 East Limestone St.
Russellville, AL
35653
256-332-8827
Franklin Russellville Public Library
256-332-1536
Libraries
Russellville Public Library
110 East Lawrence St.
Russellville, Alabama 35653
Telephone: 256-332-1535
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.
Helpful Websites
Franklin County Alabama Genealogy Websites
- Franklin 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.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- USGenWeb Archives Project ~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
- Franklin County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
Franklin County Alabama Genealogy References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Franklin County, Alabama. Page 37 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), Franklin County p. 37. ; .
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ala/franklin/ 06/05/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Franklin, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_County,_Alabama 06/05/2017.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Franklin County, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_County,_Alabama, accessed 16 October 2018.
