Access Blount County Genealogy Records

Blount County genealogy records date back to 1818 when the county was formed from land ceded by the Cherokee Nation. The county seat is Oneonta, a small town in north-central Alabama. The Blount County Probate Court holds marriage records, estate files, and land deeds that family researchers need. Birth and death records from 1908 forward are in the state vital records system. This rural county has kept good records over the years, making it easier to trace family lines than in some Alabama counties that lost records to fires. The area is known for its covered bridges and farming roots, which shaped the lives of early settlers.

What Records Are Available

Blount County has a solid collection of genealogy records. The probate court holds the oldest local records. Marriage records go back to the 1820s. Land deeds and estate files also date from the early days of the county. Unlike many Alabama counties, Blount did not lose its records to a courthouse fire.

Types of genealogy records you can find in Blount County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1820s to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1818
• Land deeds and property records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

The state did not require vital records before 1908. If you need birth or death info from before that year, you must look elsewhere. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles are the main sources for that era. Some old records are at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery.

Blount County is part of the 27th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles divorce cases and other civil matters. These records are separate from probate records. You can search circuit court files through the AlacourtAccess system online.

Blount County Probate Court

The Blount County Probate Court is your first stop for local records. The office is in the Blount County Courthouse in Oneonta. Staff can help you search indexes and pull files. They handle marriage licenses, probate cases, and land records. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama.

The probate court keeps these records:

• Marriage licenses and returns
• Wills and estate administrations
• Guardianship records
• Adoption files (sealed)
• Land deeds and mortgage records
• Property maps and plats

Marriage records at the probate court are public. You do not need to prove a family link to get a copy. This makes marriage records one of the best sources for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes that go back to the 1820s. Staff can search by bride or groom name.

Probate files contain wills, estate inventories, and heir lists. These records show how property passed from one generation to the next. They often name all children of the deceased. Estate files can prove family links when other records are missing. The older files are handwritten and may take time to read.

Blount County Health Department

The Blount County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to visit the county where the event took place. Any county health office in Alabama can pull records from the state system.

There are rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have some limits. After these time periods pass, the records become open to everyone.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. You must bring a valid ID and know the details of the record you need. If you are not listed on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. The office also takes mail requests if you cannot visit in person.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Blount County. Each method works best in different cases. Online searches are good for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need.

Start your search online. FamilySearch has free indexed records from Alabama. Census data, some church records, and state vital record indexes are there. Create a free account to access all their tools. This is a good place to start before you contact the county.

For court records, use AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. This system covers all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name or case number. It shows civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases. Divorce records are in this system.

For vital records, you have three options:

• Visit the Blount County Health Department in person
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com

VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. This is the fastest way to get records if you cannot visit in person.

Online Research Resources

Several websites help with Blount County genealogy. Free and paid options exist. Start with free sources before paying for subscriptions.

• FamilySearch has free census, church, and vital records
• Alabama Digital Archives has newspapers and government files
• AlacourtAccess lets you search court records online
• Ancestry has indexed records with a subscription
• Find A Grave has cemetery photos and burial info

FamilySearch is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is free to use. They have indexed millions of Alabama records. Census records, some church records, and state vital records are all there. Create a free account to access everything they offer.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a digital collection online. Their site has old newspapers, photos, maps, and government records. Some Blount County records may be in their collection. Search their catalog at digital.archives.alabama.gov.

Find A Grave and BillionGraves have cemetery records. Volunteers photograph tombstones and upload the data. Many Blount County cemeteries have been documented. Search by name to find burial locations and dates.

Finding Records Before 1908

Alabama did not keep birth and death records before 1908. This is a gap for all counties in the state. Blount County is no different. If you need birth or death dates from the 1800s, you must use other sources.

Church records are one of the best options. Many churches kept baptism and burial records. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in Blount County. Some church records have been copied and indexed. Check FamilySearch and the Alabama Department of Archives for transcripts.

Cemetery records can prove birth and death dates. A tombstone may be the only record of when someone was born or died. Blount County has many old cemeteries. Some date back to the early 1800s. Visit the cemetery in person or search online databases like Find A Grave.

Federal census records are another key source. The census was taken every ten years. Blount County appears in the 1820 census and every one after that. The 1850 census was the first to list each person by name. Earlier census records only name the head of household. Census records show ages, birthplaces, and family members living together.

Family bibles often recorded births, marriages, and deaths. If your family kept a bible with handwritten notes, those records can prove dates. Some family bibles have been donated to libraries and archives. Check with the Alabama Department of Archives to see if they have any from Blount County families.

In-Person Research Tips

A trip to Oneonta can help your research. Staff at the probate court can guide you to records that are not online. You can view original documents and take notes. Bring a notebook, ID, and any info you already have about your family.

The Blount County Memorial Museum in Oneonta has local history exhibits. They may have records or leads that help your search. The museum staff know the area and can point you to other resources. Call ahead to check their hours.

The Oneonta Public Library has local history materials. They hold old newspapers, county history books, and family files. The library may have records you cannot find online. Staff can help you search their collection.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Census records, military files, and land grants are all there. Staff can help you find what you need. The drive from Oneonta takes about 90 minutes.

The Birmingham Public Library has a Southern History Department. This is closer than Montgomery and has a strong genealogy collection. They have old newspapers on microfilm and many Alabama family history books. The drive from Oneonta is about 45 minutes.

Local Research Notes

Blount County has a rural character that shaped its records. The county was formed in 1818 from Cherokee land. Early settlers were farmers and small landholders. Many families stayed in the area for generations. This means you may find several branches of the same family in Blount County records.

The county is known for its covered bridges. There are three historic covered bridges still standing. These bridges show the rural nature of the area. They also mark old travel routes that your ancestors may have used. Knowing the geography can help you understand where families lived and how they moved around.

Blount County stayed relatively isolated for much of its history. The mountains and lack of major roads kept the population stable. Many families intermarried over the years. This can make genealogy research easier since records often show the same surnames over and over. It can also make it harder to sort out which John Smith is your John Smith.

During the Civil War, Blount County was divided. Some men joined the Confederate Army. Others refused to fight or even joined Union forces. This split affected families for years after the war. Military records from both sides may mention Blount County men. Check Confederate records at the Alabama Department of Archives and Union records at the National Archives.

Getting Research Help

If you hit a wall, consider hiring a professional genealogist. Researchers who know Alabama records can find sources you might miss. The Alabama Genealogical Society keeps a list of professional researchers. Some specialize in north Alabama counties like Blount.

Online forums can also help. Sites like RootsWeb and GenForum have boards for Blount County. Post a question about your family and see if anyone has info to share. Other researchers may have already found the records you need. They may even be distant cousins working on the same family lines.

The Blount County Historical Society preserves local history. They may have records or can point you to resources. Contact them to ask about their collection. They sometimes have family files that are not in official records.

Cities in Blount County

Blount County has several towns and communities. None have populations over 50,000. All use the Blount County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. Oneonta is the county seat and largest town.

Cities and towns in Blount County include Oneonta, Cleveland, Blountsville, Locust Fork, Hayden, and Snead. Residents of all these places file records at the county offices in Oneonta. The entire county is served by one probate court and one health department office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Blount County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. County borders in Alabama have changed over time. An ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect based on where they lived.