Huntsville Genealogy Records
Huntsville genealogy records span over two centuries of family history in north Alabama. The city sits in Madison County, the oldest county in the state, which means records here go back further than most other parts of Alabama. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has a Heritage Room with one of the best genealogy collections in the region. You can find birth, death, marriage, and probate records through both county offices and local archives. This guide shows you where to search and how to get copies of the records you need for your family history work.
Huntsville Quick Facts
Heritage Room at the Public Library
The Heritage Room is the main place for genealogy research in Huntsville. It is inside the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library on Monroe Street. The room has books, microfilm, and digital records that cover Madison County and the whole Tennessee Valley area. Staff there know local history well and can help you find what you need.
What you can find in the Heritage Room:
- Madison County census records from 1810 to 1950
- Marriage records starting in 1809
- Local cemetery records and grave indexes
- Church records from early congregations
- Land deeds and property maps
- Huntsville newspaper archives on microfilm
- City directories going back decades
- Published family histories for local surnames
The Heritage Room is free to use. You do not need a library card for basic access. Hours run Monday through Saturday. The room has computers with access to Ancestry.com and other paid sites at no charge to visitors. This makes it a great first stop for anyone tracing family roots in Huntsville.
| Location | Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Heritage Room |
|---|---|
| Address | 915 Monroe Street SW Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-5969 |
| Hours | Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | hmcpl.org/heritage |
Huntsville History Collection
The Huntsville History Collection is a special set of records at the public library. It focuses on the city itself rather than the broader county. If your family lived in the city of Huntsville, this collection may have papers and photos that relate to them.
The collection includes old maps of Huntsville neighborhoods. It has photos of homes, businesses, and street scenes from past decades. There are records from civic groups and local organizations. Some files cover specific events in city history. While this is not a vital records source, the collection adds context to your family story. It can show you what life was like when your ancestors lived here.
The collection is housed in the same building as the Heritage Room. Ask staff at the reference desk for access. Some items are fragile and require special handling, so you may need to schedule a visit ahead of time for certain materials.
Where Madison County Keeps Vital Records
Huntsville is in Madison County. All vital records for the city go through county offices. The county has two main places where genealogy records are stored. The Probate Court handles marriage licenses, wills, and estate papers. The Madison County Health Department has birth and death records. Both are in downtown Huntsville, close to each other.
Madison County was formed in 1808. It is the oldest county in Alabama. This means records here go back further than anywhere else in the state. The probate court has marriage records from 1809. That is fifteen years before Alabama even became a state. If you are looking for early settlers in north Alabama, Madison County is often where you start.
The county did not lose records to fire. This is important. Many Alabama counties lost their old papers in courthouse fires during the 1800s. Madison County still has its original records. This makes Huntsville one of the best places in the state for genealogy research going back to territorial days.
For a full guide to Madison County records, including probate court details and online search tools, see the Madison County genealogy records page.
How to Search Huntsville Genealogy Records
You can search Huntsville records online, in person, or by mail. Each method works for different needs. Online search is fast for basic info. In-person visits let you see more detail. Mail works when you know what you want but cannot travel.
Start online with free databases. FamilySearch has millions of Alabama records at no cost. The site has Madison County marriage records, census data, and more. Create a free account at familysearch.org to begin your search. Some records have digital images you can view right away. Others show an index that tells you where to find the full record.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digital records at digital.archives.alabama.gov. This includes old newspapers from Huntsville. Newspaper archives can help you find obituaries, wedding notices, and other family news. The site is free and does not require an account.
For court records, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This covers circuit court cases in Madison County, including divorce records. A name search costs $9.99 and shows basic case info. You can also view document images for $5.00 per 20 pages.
In-person visits give you the most access. The Heritage Room has records that are not online. The probate court has original documents you can view. Staff at both places can guide your search and suggest sources you might not know about. If you have time, a trip to Huntsville is worth it for serious research.
Online Access to Huntsville Records
Several websites have Huntsville and Madison County records. Some are free. Others charge fees. Here is what you can find online:
Free Sites:
- FamilySearch - Census, marriage, and death indexes
- Alabama Archives - Digital newspapers and government records
- Find A Grave - Cemetery listings and burial info
- USGenWeb - Volunteer transcriptions of local records
Paid Sites:
- Ancestry - Vital records, military files, immigration data
- Newspapers.com - Historic Huntsville newspapers
- AlacourtAccess - Court case searches
- VitalChek - Birth and death certificate orders
Remember that the Heritage Room offers free access to Ancestry and other paid sites. If you visit in person, you can search these databases without paying. This is a good option if you do not want to buy a subscription.
Fees for Huntsville Genealogy Records
Costs vary by record type and where you get it. Here are the main fees you can expect when searching for records in Huntsville.
State Vital Records (through Health Department):
- Birth certificate search and copy - $15.00
- Death certificate search and copy - $15.00
- Additional copies same order - $6.00 each
- Marriage or divorce verification - $15.00
Madison County Probate Court:
- Marriage license search - $5.00 to $10.00
- Certified copy of marriage record - $5.00
- Probate record copies - Varies by page count
- Will copies - $1.00 per page typical
Court Records (AlacourtAccess):
- Name search - $9.99 per name
- Case detail view - $9.99
- Document images - $5.00 for first 20 pages
The Heritage Room and Alabama Archives are free to use. You only pay if you need copies. Copy fees at the library are usually $0.15 to $0.25 per page. This makes in-person research very affordable if you are willing to travel to Huntsville.
Contact the Huntsville Library
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is your main resource for genealogy in the city. The Heritage Room staff answer questions by phone and email. They can check records for you if you cannot visit in person. For complex research, plan a visit so you can use all the materials they have.
| Library Name | Huntsville-Madison County Public Library |
|---|---|
| Heritage Room Phone | (256) 532-5969 |
| Main Library Phone | (256) 532-5940 |
| Address | 915 Monroe Street SW Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| heritage@hmcpl.org | |
| Website | hmcpl.org |
The library is in downtown Huntsville near Big Spring Park. Parking is available in the library lot and on nearby streets. The building is accessible. Call ahead if you need special help or want to make sure certain materials are available when you arrive.
Madison County Probate Court Contact
The probate court handles marriage licenses, wills, and estate records. For genealogy, this is where you get old marriage records and find out about ancestors who died in Madison County. The office is in the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville.
| Office | Madison County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Northside Square Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 532-3330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | madisoncountyal.gov/departments/probate-judge |
The courthouse is on the north side of Courthouse Square. You can park in public lots nearby or use street parking. Bring a valid ID when you visit. Staff can look up records by name and date if you have that info. For old records, you may need to search through indexes yourself or ask staff to pull specific books.
Other Genealogy Resources in Huntsville
Beyond the library and county offices, Huntsville has other places that help with family research.
The Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society meets in Huntsville. They publish research guides and host programs on local history. The group has members who know Madison County records well. Joining the society gives you access to their library and query services. Visit tvgs.org to learn more about meetings and resources.
The Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society focuses on local history. They have records related to old Huntsville families. The society runs programs and publishes materials that can add to your research. Their website is at huntsvillehistorycollection.org.
Area churches may have baptism, marriage, and burial records that are not in public archives. If you know which church your family attended, contact them to ask about historical records. Some churches have registers that go back to the early 1800s.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Huntsville also have genealogy resources. If your family moved around north Alabama, you may need to check records in these places too.
Madison County Genealogy Records
Huntsville is in Madison County. The county probate court handles all vital records for the area. For more on county offices, record availability, and detailed contact info, visit the Madison County genealogy records page.