Search Tuscaloosa Genealogy Records
Tuscaloosa genealogy records are kept by the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court and the county health department. The city is the county seat and home to the University of Alabama, which gives researchers access to one of the best genealogy collections in the South. The W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library on campus holds rare books, manuscripts, and family papers that date back to the early days of Alabama statehood. Local records at the probate court go back to 1818 when Tuscaloosa County was formed. The county health office can pull vital records from the state ViSION network, so you can get any Alabama birth, death, or marriage record right here in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
University of Alabama Hoole Special Collections Library
The W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library is a major resource for genealogy research in Tuscaloosa. It sits on the University of Alabama campus and is open to the public. You do not need to be a student or alumni to use the reading room. The library holds one of the largest collections of Alabama and Southern history materials in the region.
The collection spans over 300 years of history. You can find plantation records, family papers, old maps, and rare books. The library has papers from many Alabama families who lived in Tuscaloosa and the Black Belt region. These include letters, diaries, account books, and legal documents that give a personal view of life in early Alabama.
Key resources at Hoole Library:
- Family manuscript collections with letters and diaries
- Alabama county records on microfilm
- Civil War letters and soldier records
- Plantation records and slave documents
- Old Alabama newspapers
- University of Alabama records from 1831
- Maps and photographs of early Tuscaloosa
The staff can help you find what you need. They know the collection well and can suggest sources you might not think to check. Call ahead or email to ask about your research topic. Some items must be requested in advance. The reading room has strict rules to protect the old materials, so be ready to use pencil only and handle items with care.
| Library | W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library |
|---|---|
| Address | Box 870266, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
| Location | Gorgas Library, 3rd Floor |
| Phone | (205) 348-0500 |
| Website | lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole |
Where to Find Records in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa residents use the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court for marriage records, wills, and estate files. The probate court is at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in downtown Tuscaloosa. This is the same courthouse that has served the city since the 1960s. The building replaced an older courthouse that stood on the same site.
The probate court has marriage records from 1818 to the present. These are public records. Anyone can ask for a copy. The court also keeps wills, estate files, and guardianship records. These can help you trace family property and relationships through the generations.
For birth and death records, go to the Tuscaloosa County Health Department. Through the state ViSION network, staff can access any Alabama vital record. You do not have to go to the county where the event took place. This makes Tuscaloosa a good base for researching family across the state.
| Probate Court |
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse 714 Greensboro Avenue, Room 206 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone: (205) 349-3870 |
|---|---|
| Health Department |
2350 Hargrove Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 Phone: (205) 562-6900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Tuscaloosa Records
You can search Tuscaloosa genealogy records online, by mail, or in person. Each method works for different needs. Online is fast for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents and get help from staff.
Start with online tools. The Tuscaloosa County Probate Court uses the Landmark WEB system. This free tool lets you search probate records by name and date. You can find marriage licenses, deed records, and probate case numbers. Go to the court website and click the online records link to begin your search.
For vital records, you have options:
- Visit the county health department in person
- Mail a request to the health department
- Order through VitalChek online
VitalChek is the state's online partner for vital records. They add a service fee on top of the state cost. Go to vitalchek.com to order from home. This works well when you cannot visit in person.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records at digital.archives.alabama.gov. This collection includes old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Tuscaloosa records from the 1800s are in their online archive.
Online Genealogy Resources
Several websites have Tuscaloosa genealogy records. Some are free. Others need a paid account. Using multiple sites gives you the best chance to find what you need.
Free resources include:
- FamilySearch at familysearch.org has indexed Alabama records
- Alabama Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
- Tuscaloosa Public Library online resources
- USGenWeb Tuscaloosa County page
Paid resources include:
- Ancestry at ancestry.com has census, military, and vital records
- Newspapers.com for old Tuscaloosa News archives
- Fold3 for military records and Civil War files
The Tuscaloosa Public Library gives free access to Ancestry and other paid databases. You can use these at the library or from home with a library card. This saves money if you need to search paid sites often. Call the library at (205) 345-5820 to ask about their genealogy databases.
Record Fees in Tuscaloosa
Fees for genealogy records in Tuscaloosa are set by state law and county policy. The health department charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy of a vital record. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through the ViSION system.
Probate court fees include:
- Marriage license copy: $5.00
- Certified marriage copy: $10.00
- Deed copies: based on page count
- Probate file copies: based on page count
VitalChek adds its own service fee when you order online. The total depends on shipping speed. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. If you can wait a few days, choose the slower option to save money.
The Hoole Library at UA does not charge to use the reading room. You can view records for free. Copy fees apply if you need prints or scans. Ask staff about copy limits and costs before you start your visit.
Local Genealogy Resources
Tuscaloosa has several groups and places that help with family history research. These local resources can fill gaps when official records fall short.
The Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society meets monthly. Members share tips and help each other with research. They focus on Tuscaloosa County and the west Alabama region. The group has published indexes and guides that make local research easier. Check their website or ask at the public library for meeting info.
The Tuscaloosa Public Library has a local history room. The collection includes old city directories, newspaper clippings, and family files. Staff can help you find sources that are not online. The main library is at 1801 Jack Warner Parkway in downtown Tuscaloosa.
Old cemeteries in Tuscaloosa hold clues to family history. Evergreen Cemetery is the largest historic cemetery in the city. It has graves from the 1820s to the present. Many early Tuscaloosa families are buried there. Headstones often show birth and death dates, family links, and other facts. The city also has several smaller cemeteries with old graves.
Church records are another source. Tuscaloosa churches kept birth, death, and marriage records before the state did. First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and other old congregations may have records from the 1800s. Call the church office to ask about their archives.
Tuscaloosa History and Records
Tuscaloosa served as the capital of Alabama from 1826 to 1846. During those years, the state government met here. Many important records from that era are still in Tuscaloosa or at the state archives in Montgomery. If your family lived in Tuscaloosa during the capital years, you may find them in state legislative or court records.
The University of Alabama opened in 1831. It was one of the first public colleges in the South. The school kept records of students, faculty, and staff from its early days. These records are at the Hoole Library. If your ancestor went to UA, you can find enrollment records, grades, and sometimes personal letters.
The Civil War hit Tuscaloosa hard. Union troops burned much of the city in April 1865, including most of the university. Some records were lost in the fires. But many were saved or later restored. The Hoole Library has Civil War letters and diaries from local families. These can help you learn what your ancestors faced during the war.
After the war, Tuscaloosa rebuilt slowly. The city grew again when industry came in the late 1800s. Check old city directories and business records to trace ancestors who worked in local mills and factories. The library and Hoole collection have many of these sources.
Tuscaloosa County Genealogy Records
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County. All probate records, marriage licenses, and estate files go through the county probate court. The county has records dating back to 1818. For more details on county-level records, fees, and other resources, visit the full Tuscaloosa County page.
Nearby Cities
These major Alabama cities are near Tuscaloosa. If your family moved around the region, check records in these places too.
Birmingham is about 60 miles east of Tuscaloosa. Many families have ties to both cities. The Birmingham Public Library has a large genealogy collection that may help with your research.