Search Birmingham Genealogy Records
Birmingham genealogy records are held at the Birmingham Public Library and Jefferson County offices. The city is home to one of the best genealogy research centers in the South. The Linn-Henley Research Library houses the Southern History Department, which has an extensive collection of family history materials dating back to the early 1800s. Researchers come from across the country to use these resources. The collection includes Alabama census records, city directories, newspaper archives, and thousands of family files. Birmingham sits in Jefferson County, so vital records like birth and death certificates go through the county health department and probate court.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Birmingham Public Library Genealogy Collection
The Birmingham Public Library is the top spot for genealogy research in the city. The central branch houses the Linn-Henley Research Library, which holds the Southern History Department. This is one of the largest genealogy collections in Alabama. Staff members know local history well and can point you to the right sources.
The Southern History Department has a huge range of materials. You can find Alabama census indexes from 1820 to 1950. The collection includes city directories for Birmingham going back to the 1880s. These old directories list names, jobs, and home addresses. They help you track where your family lived and what work they did. The department also holds old newspapers on microfilm. The Birmingham Age-Herald and Birmingham News archives go back many decades.
Family files are a big part of the collection. Local researchers have put together thousands of folders on Alabama families. These files contain notes, charts, and copies of documents. If someone has already researched your family line, you may find their work here. Staff can check the card catalog to see if a file exists for your surname.
The library has free access to paid genealogy databases. You can use Ancestry, Fold3, and Newspapers.com at no cost when you visit in person. These tools cost money at home, so the library is a good way to search without a subscription. Staff can help you learn how to use the databases if you are new to them.
| Library | Birmingham Public Library, Central Branch |
|---|---|
| Department | Linn-Henley Research Library, Southern History Department |
| Address | 2100 Park Place Birmingham, AL 35203 |
| Phone | (205) 226-3665 |
| Hours | Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Closed Sunday and Monday |
| Website | bhamgov.org/library |
Call ahead to check hours. The library sometimes closes for holidays or events. Staff can also answer basic questions by phone or email if you cannot visit in person.
Which County Handles Vital Records
Birmingham is in Jefferson County. All vital records for the city go through Jefferson County offices. The county health department issues birth and death certificates. The probate court handles marriage records and estate files. Court records come from the Circuit Court. You do not need to visit Birmingham city hall for any of these records.
The Jefferson County Department of Health can pull any Alabama vital record through the ViSION network. This means you can get birth, death, marriage, or divorce records from any Alabama county at the Birmingham office. You do not have to travel to the county where the event took place. This is a big help for genealogy research.
The main vital records office is at the Jefferson County Department of Health. Walk-in service is often same day. Bring a valid photo ID and the details of the record you need. If the record is less than 125 years old for births or 25 years old for deaths, you may need to show proof of your right to access it.
| Office | Jefferson County Department of Health |
|---|---|
| Address | 1400 6th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 |
| Phone | (205) 930-1580 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | jcdh.org |
For more details on Jefferson County records, see the Jefferson County genealogy records page. That page covers probate court records, land deeds, and other county resources in depth.
How to Search Records in Birmingham
You have several ways to search genealogy records in Birmingham. Online tools work well for basic lookups. In-person visits give you access to the full collection. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its own pros.
Start online if you can. The Birmingham Public Library website has guides for starting your research. The library catalog shows what books and materials they hold. You can search before you visit to make a list of items to check. The catalog is free to use from home.
FamilySearch is a free website with Alabama records. They have indexed vital records, census data, and church records. Many Birmingham area records are in their collection. Create a free account to access all their tools. The site also has research guides for Alabama genealogy.
When you visit in person, bring notes on what you know. The more details you have, the easier the search will be. Staff at the Southern History Department can help you find the right sources. They know the collection well and can suggest where to look. Plan to spend at least a few hours if you are doing serious research.
For vital records, you can search at the county health department or order online. VitalChek is the state's online partner for vital records. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through their website. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order.
Online Access to Birmingham Records
Several websites have Birmingham genealogy records. Some are free. Others require a subscription. The library gives you free access to paid sites when you visit in person.
Key online resources for Birmingham genealogy:
- FamilySearch at familysearch.org has free Alabama records
- Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
- AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
- Ancestry at ancestry.com requires a subscription
- Newspapers.com for old Birmingham newspapers
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a free digital collection. You can find old newspapers, photos, and government records. Many Jefferson County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research.
Ancestry has a large collection of Birmingham records. They have city directories, census records, and vital record indexes. A subscription costs money, but you can use it free at the library. The library also has access to Fold3 for military records and Newspapers.com for old news archives.
Fees for Birmingham Genealogy Records
Costs vary by where you get records. The library is free. Government offices charge fees. Online services add their own charges.
The Birmingham Public Library does not charge to use the genealogy collection. You can view books, microfilm, and family files at no cost. Copy fees apply if you want to print pages. Microfilm readers are free to use. Internet access for databases is also free.
County vital record fees:
- Search plus one certified copy: $15.00
- Each extra copy in same order: $6.00
- Same-day rush service: add $15.00
Probate court fees for marriage and estate records:
- Copy of marriage license: $5.00
- Certified copy of marriage: $10.00
- Deed copy: based on page count
- Probate file copy: based on page count
VitalChek adds a service fee to state fees. The exact amount depends on how fast you want the record. Standard shipping costs less than rush delivery. Phone orders may have a small extra charge. Check the VitalChek site for current rates.
Jefferson County Probate Court
The probate court keeps marriage records, wills, and estate files. These are key sources for genealogy work. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1818. Estate files can show family links and property details. The court has two offices, one in Birmingham and one in Bessemer.
The Landmark WEB portal lets you search probate records online. You can look up marriage licenses, probate cases, and deeds from home. The system is free and does not need an account. It shows basic index data. You can note the record number and then request a copy by mail or in person.
| Birmingham Office |
Jefferson County Courthouse 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 325-5300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | jeffcoprobatecourt.com |
The probate court is in the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. The courthouse is near city hall. Street parking has meters. Parking garages are nearby if you need more time. Security checks all visitors at the entrance, so bring a valid photo ID.
More Birmingham Genealogy Resources
Birmingham has other places to help with family history research. Local groups meet to share tips and help each other. Archives and museums hold old records and photos. These can fill in gaps when official records are missing.
The Birmingham Genealogical Society is a local group for family history fans. They meet monthly and share research tips. Members help each other with Alabama and Southern genealogy. Their website has guides and links to local resources. Joining a group like this can speed up your search.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the trip. It has the best collection of old Alabama records in the state. Some Jefferson County probate records from the 1800s are there. The drive from Birmingham takes about 90 minutes. Plan a full day if you visit.
African American genealogy in Birmingham has some special sources. The Freedmen's Bureau records at the National Archives have data on formerly enslaved people. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute may have leads for families who lived through the movement era. Church records from Black congregations are another key source for this research.
The Vulcan Park archives have photos and records from old Birmingham. Industrial records from the steel and iron era may name workers and their families. If your ancestors worked in the mills, these sources can help trace their story.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Birmingham. If your family lived in the area, they may have records in more than one place. All cities in Jefferson County use the same probate court and health department for vital records.
Other nearby cities include Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, Trussville, and Gardendale. These cities are in Jefferson County or nearby Shelby County. All use county-level offices for vital records and genealogy searches.
Jefferson County Genealogy Records
Birmingham is the county seat of Jefferson County. The county has more records and resources than most in Alabama. For full details on county offices, probate court access, and more genealogy sources, visit the Jefferson County page.