Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy
Guide to Randolph County, Alabama ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Randolph County, Alabama | |
| Map | |
 Location of Alabama in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | December 18, 1832 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Wedowee |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Randolph County Courthouse P O Box 249 Wedowee, Al 36278 Phone: 256-357-4933 County Website |
Contents
County Information
Randolph County, Alabama Record Dates
| | ||||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1886 | 1896 | 1886 | 1897 | 1897 | 1897 | 1816 |
| | ||||||
County Courthouse
Probate Judge has birth and death records from 1886
marriage records from 1896, land and probate records from 1897
and military pensions 1904-1909 [2]
Description
The County was named in honor of James Randolph, a Virginia congressman. The County has Wedowee as its seat and the County was created December 18, 1832. [3]The County is located in the east central area of the state.[4]
History
Parent County
1832--Randolph County was created 18 December 1832 from the Creek Cession of 1832.
County seat: Wedowee [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
Randolph County had a destructive courthouse fire in 1897. See Research in Alabama: A Genealogical Guide page 29 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
- Carroll County, Georgia
- Chambers
- Clay
- Cleburne
- Heard County, Georgia
- Tallapoosa
- Troup County, Georgia
Resources
Cemeteries
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The following web site has additional information on Randolph county cemeteries.
- Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.
Census
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 4,973 | ||
| 1850 | 11,581 | 132.9% | |
| 1860 | 20,059 | 73.2% | |
| 1870 | 12,006 | −40.1% | |
| 1880 | 16,575 | 38.1% | |
| 1890 | 17,219 | 3.9% | |
| 1900 | 21,647 | 25.7% | |
| 1910 | 24,659 | 13.9% | |
| 1920 | 27,064 | 9.8% | |
| 1930 | 26,861 | −0.8% | |
| 1940 | 25,516 | −5.0% | |
| 1950 | 22,513 | −11.8% | |
| 1960 | 19,477 | −13.5% | |
| 1970 | 18,331 | −5.9% | |
| 1980 | 20,075 | 9.5% | |
| 1990 | 19,881 | −1.0% | |
| 2000 | 22,380 | 12.6% | |
| 2010 | 22,913 | 2.4% | |
- Gandrud, Pauline Jones. 1840 Federal Census of Randolph County, Alabama. 1947. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
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.
To see a list of church records, go to Randolph County ALGHN.
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.
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy see:
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Randolph County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2011. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes free surname index. FHL Book 976.157 E7b.
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Alabama Local Histories.
Maps
for more resources
- Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
- Family Maps of Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
Military
Civil War
Civil War service men from Randolph 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 RandolphCounty.
- - 1st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company I
- - 7th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Company A and G
- - 13th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E and I
- - 14th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company K "Louina Guards"
- - 17th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E (Dowdelll Rangers)
- - 22nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F and G
- - 25th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F
- - 30th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G
- - 31st Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H
- - 44th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company I
- - 46th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company G and K
- - 59th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F
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
The 1866 Alabama State Census for Randolph County includes columns for soldiers killed or died of disease.
Newspapers
RANDOLPH COUNTY NEWSPAPER RECORDS
Randolph County, Alabama Newspapers
===== Finding More Alabama Newspapers =====
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Randolph 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 Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy Probate Court. Most records are housed at the Randolph 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 ($). Randoolph 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 Records
- 1886-1919 - Randolph County Birth Index 1886-1919 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.[7]
- 1881 – 1930 Alabama Births and Christenings, 1881-1930 at FamilySearch.org — index
Marriage Records
- 1733-2013 - Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry – ($); Index. contains over 12,000 names. Each entry includes groom, bride, marriage date, county, and state. Every name is indexed so you can search for one name, or two names that are linked.
- To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry – ($); Index. 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.
- 1888, 1896-1900, 1925, 1936–1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry – ($); Index. This collection is comprised of indexes created by several agencies - the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Jordan Dodd of Liahona Research, and Hunting For Bears.
- 1888, 1896-1900, 1925, 1936–1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry – ($); Index. 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.
- 1896-1900 "Alabama Marriages, 1809–1920" at Ancestry – ($); Index. 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.org — index/images
- 1816 – 1957 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957 at FamilySearch.org — index
- 1800 – 1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry.com — index $
- 1809 – 1920 [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4192 Alabama Marriages,
- 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry.com — index $
Death Records
- 1881-1952 - Alabama, Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection. - free. More than 5,000 Randolph County deaths and burials.
- 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry – ($); Index. Volunteers extracted the details in this index from microfilmed copies of church, civil, family, and other records of Alabama deaths and burials. details vary depending on the original record. Note that the number of available records can vary widely by county, and this database does not necessarily represent a comprehensive set of death records for the state during this time.
- 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry – ($); Index. 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.
- 1886-1941 - Randolph County Death Index 1886-1941 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
- 1908–1959 Index to Deaths Recorded by the State of Alabama at Ancestry – ($); Index. The index includes name of the deceased, county of death, date of death, and the state certificate number (volume and page).
- 1908–1959 Index to Deaths Recorded by the State of Alabama at Ancestry – ($); Index. 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 FamilySearch.org — index
- 1908 – 1974 Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974 at FamilySearch.org — index
- 1881 – 1974 Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry.com — index $
- 1908 – 1959 [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5188 Alabama Deaths,
- 1908-59] at Ancestry.com — index $
The 1866 Alabama State Census for Randolph County includes columns for soldiers killed or died of disease.
Voting Registers
Alabama Voting Registers for 1867 are available online at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Randolph County has one book.
Societies and Libraries
AlaBenton Genealogical Society
c/o The Alabama Room
P. O. Box 308
Anniston, AL
36202
Publication: AlaBenton Genealogical Quarterly
Website
Website
Libraries
Annie L Awbrey Public Library
263 College Street
Roanoke Alabama 36274
Telephone: 334-863-2632
Website
- Collections include books on genealogy and local history.
Public Library of Anniston - Calhoun County
108 E. 10th St.
Anniston, Alabama 36201
Telephone: 256-237-8501
- Collections include local history and genealogical records of Randolph County.
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.
Randolph County Alabama Genealogy Websites
- Randolph 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.
- Randolph County ALGenWeb ~ record transcriptions and information pertinent to the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
Randolph County Alabama Genealogy References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Randolph 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), Randolph County p. 39. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, "Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy and History", http://genealogytrails.com/ala/randolph/ 6/26/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Randolph, Alabama," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randolph_County,_Alabama 6/26/2017.
- ↑ 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), 29. At various libraries (WorldCat). FHL Book 976.1 D27b 1998.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/c/cf/Igialabamals.pdf.
