Search Butler County Genealogy Records

Butler County genealogy records date back to 1819 when the county was formed. The probate court in Greenville holds marriage, probate, and land records that help trace family history in this south Alabama county.

What Records Are Available

Butler County has a good range of genealogy records. The probate court holds marriage records from the early years of the county. Death and birth records through the state system start in 1908. Land deeds, will files, and court records are also kept at the courthouse in Greenville. Some early records were lost to fire and age, but many still exist from the 1800s.

Types of records you can search:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1853 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter lists
• Court case files

Older records from before 1908 are harder to find. The state did not track births and deaths back then. For that era, look at church records, cemetery logs, old census data, and family bibles. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some old Butler County files that may fill in the gaps.

Butler County Probate Court

The Butler County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy records in the county. The office sits in the Greenville courthouse and keeps marriage records, wills, estate files, and land deeds. The probate judge runs county affairs in Alabama, so this office handles a lot of local business along with records.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. You do not need to prove you are related to the people named. Anyone can ask for a copy. This makes marriage records one of the best starting points for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes that go back to 1853. Earlier records from 1819 to 1853 may exist but are harder to find.

The probate court does not have a full online search tool like some larger counties. You will need to call or visit to search their index. Staff are helpful and can look up records if you give them names and rough dates. They can tell you what exists before you pay for copies.

When you visit in person, bring a valid ID and a list of names and dates you want to search. Staff can pull files and show you documents. Take notes or request copies. The fee for copies is set by state law. Ask the clerk about current rates when you call or visit.

Butler County Health Department

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

There are rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old are restricted. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have limits. After these time periods, the records open up for all to use. This matters for genealogy work since older records are easier to get.

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

How to Search Records

You have a few ways to search genealogy records in Butler County. In-person visits are best for digging deep. Phone calls work for quick lookups. Mail requests help when you cannot travel. Each method has its place.

Start by calling the probate court. Give them names and dates, and ask if they have records. They can search the index and tell you what exists. This saves a trip if the records are not there. If they find something, plan a visit or order copies by mail.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's online partner for vital records. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records on their site. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. This is a fast way to get records if you cannot make the trip to Greenville.

The Butler County Public Library in Greenville has local history files. Check with them for old newspapers, city directories, and family files that locals have donated. Small town libraries often have gems that are not online anywhere.

Online Access Options

Butler County does not have its own online records portal. Smaller counties in Alabama often lack the budget for these systems. But you can still find Butler County records online through state and national sites.

Online resources for Butler County genealogy:

• AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
• Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
• USGenWeb Butler County page for volunteer research

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. Their site holds old newspapers, photos, maps, and government files. Some Butler County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good place to start for older family history.

FamilySearch has free records with no fee. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their collection grows as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to use all their tools. They also have microfilm that you can order to view at local family history centers.

Ancestry has a large database but requires a subscription. Many public libraries offer free Ancestry access to patrons. Check with the Butler County Public Library or any Alabama public library. You can search Ancestry on their computers at no cost.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records. You can find things that do not show up in online searches. Staff can point you to sources you might miss on your own. Bring a notebook and valid ID.

The Butler County Courthouse sits on the town square in Greenville. The probate office is inside. Go to the records room and ask staff for help. They can search the index and pull files for you to view. Take notes or order copies. The staff know the records well and may offer tips for your search.

The health department is a short drive from the courthouse. Stop there for vital records if you need certified copies of birth, death, marriage, or divorce records. They pull records from the state ViSION system while you wait.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the drive. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Butler County probate records from the 1800s may be there. Staff help you find what you need. The drive from Greenville takes about an hour and fifteen minutes.

The Greenville Cemetery and other local cemeteries have old graves. Walking the grounds can turn up names and dates that fill gaps in your tree. Many Alabama genealogy groups have photos of gravestones online, but seeing them in person can reveal details the photos miss.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Butler County are set by state law. The health department charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through the ViSION system.

Probate court fees vary by record type. Common costs are:

• Copy of marriage license: $5.00
• Certified copy of marriage: $10.00
• Search fee: varies by request
• Deed copy: based on page count
• Probate file copy: based on page count

VitalChek adds a service fee on top of state fees. The fee depends on how fast you need the record. Rush orders cost more than standard ones. Phone orders may have a small extra charge. Check their site for current rates before you order.

The Butler County Public Library is free to use. You can view local history files and use their computers at no cost. Copy fees apply if you want to print pages. Ask staff about their genealogy resources when you visit.

Local Genealogy Tips

Butler County was formed from parts of Monroe and Conecuh counties in 1819. If your family was here early, check those parent counties too. County lines have shifted over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county's records than you expect.

Greenville is the largest town in Butler County. It was named for the green countryside. The town grew as a trade center for cotton farmers. If your family worked in farming or trade, check tax records and land deeds. These show who owned land and when they bought or sold it.

The L&N Railroad came through Butler County in the late 1800s. Some families moved here to work on the railroad. Check railroad employment records if you think your ancestor worked for L&N. The Alabama Department of Archives has some of these files.

African American genealogy in Butler County often means checking Freedmen's Bureau records. These files document people who were enslaved and their families after the Civil War. The Alabama Department of Archives and FamilySearch both have Freedmen's Bureau records online. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. Local churches may have old membership rolls that list families.

Cemetery records matter a lot in rural counties. The Butler County Historical Society may have lists of old cemeteries and the names on the stones. Some family plots sit on private land and are easy to miss. Local historians can help you find these hidden spots.

Cities in Butler County

Butler County has several towns. Greenville is the county seat and largest town. Other communities include Georgiana, McKenzie, and Chapman. All of these use the Butler County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. There are no cities in Butler County with a population over 50,000.

Georgiana is known as the hometown of Hank Williams, the country music legend. If your family had ties to Hank Williams or his kin, Georgiana might hold clues in its local records and cemeteries.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Butler County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time, so an ancestor may show up in a different county's files.