Find Genealogy Records in Cherokee County
Cherokee County genealogy records present a unique challenge for family historians. Two courthouse fires, one in 1882 and another in 1895, destroyed most early county records. This means marriage licenses, probate files, land deeds, and court documents from before 1882 are gone. The county seat is Centre, located in northeast Alabama. Despite the record losses, there are many ways to trace your family history here. Census records, church files, cemetery logs, and state archives hold vital clues that can fill the gaps left by the fires.
Cherokee County Quick Facts
The Courthouse Fires of 1882 and 1895
The two courthouse fires are the most important fact for any researcher to know. The 1882 fire wiped out records from the county's founding in 1836 through that year. Just as new records were building up, the 1895 fire struck again. This double loss makes Cherokee County one of the hardest Alabama counties to research for early periods.
What was lost in the fires:
- Marriage records from 1836 to 1882
- Probate and estate files from 1836 to 1882
- Land deed records from 1836 to 1882
- Court records and legal filings
- Military discharge papers
- Tax rolls and voter lists
Because of these fires, the Cherokee County Probate Court now has marriage records starting only from 1882. Probate records, land records, and military discharge records also begin in 1882. The Circuit Court has divorce and court records from 1882 forward. Anything before that date requires alternative research methods.
The good news is that many alternative sources exist. Federal census records were stored in Washington, D.C., so they survived. Church records often remained with congregations or were copied to state archives. Cemetery headstones still stand. Family bibles passed down through generations. With patience and creativity, you can often piece together family lines that seem lost.
Cherokee County Probate Court
The Cherokee County Probate Court in Centre is where you will find surviving county records. The probate judge handles marriage licenses, wills, estate matters, and land recordings. The current judge is Tim Burgess. Staff can help you search their records and explain what is available.
The probate court has an online portal where you can search some records from home. This saves a trip if you just need to check if a record exists. The system shows index data for marriages, probate cases, and land transactions. Once you find what you need, you can request copies by mail or pick them up in person.
| Address |
Cherokee County Probate Court 260 Cedar Bluff Road, Suite 101 Centre, AL 35960 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 927-3363 |
| Fax | (256) 927-9218 |
| probateoffice@cherokeecounty-al.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | cherokeecounty-al.gov/probate-office |
Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to prove a family connection. The marriage index from 1882 to 1930 has been digitized and is available through FamilySearch. This free site lets you search from anywhere with internet access.
Alternative Research Methods
When courthouse records are gone, you need to think outside the box. Many sources can help you build your family tree even without official county documents. Here are the best alternatives for Cherokee County research.
Federal Census Records
Census records are the backbone of genealogy when local records are lost. Cherokee County has federal census data from 1840 through 1940, with 1950 now available too. These records list names, ages, birthplaces, and family relationships. The 1840 census was the first to cover Cherokee County after it was formed in 1836.
Census years available for Cherokee County:
- 1840 Federal Population Schedule
- 1850 Census plus Slave Schedules
- 1860 Census plus Slave Schedules
- 1870 Census (first after Civil War)
- 1880 Census with full family details
- 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950 Census
The 1890 census was mostly destroyed in a fire at the Commerce Department in 1921. This loss affected all states, not just Alabama. Use the 1880 and 1900 censuses to bridge that gap.
Church Records
Churches often kept their own records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. These records may survive even when county records are gone. Check with local congregations or search FamilySearch for digitized church records. Alabama church records from 1831 to 1994 are indexed online.
Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches were common in Cherokee County. Some records remain with active churches. Others were sent to denominational archives or the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Cemetery Records
Headstones tell stories. A grave marker may show birth date, death date, and family relationships. Cherokee County has over 160 documented cemeteries. Many have been transcribed and put online. Check FamilySearch, FindAGrave, and the Cherokee County USGenWeb site for cemetery listings.
Some key cemetery collections include:
- Cemetery Records of Cherokee County, Alabama, 1840-1960 at FamilySearch
- Cherokee County cemetery inscriptions volumes
- Alabama Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry
- FindAGrave and BillionGraves online databases
Bible Records
Family bibles often recorded births, marriages, and deaths. These handwritten entries may be the only proof of events that happened before 1882. Check with family members for old bibles. The Cherokee County USGenWeb site and Access Genealogy have transcribed bible records from local families.
Cherokee County Health Department
The Cherokee County Health Department can provide certified copies of vital records. Through Alabama's ViSION system, 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.
Alabama did not require birth and death registration until 1908. This means official vital records only go back to that year. For events before 1908, you must use alternative sources like census data, church records, or cemetery markers.
| Address |
Cherokee County Health Department 340 West Main Street Centre, AL 35960 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 927-3132 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday |
| Services | Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates |
Access rules apply to vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have restrictions. Only the person named, a parent, or legal guardian can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have limits. After these time periods, records open to all researchers.
Cherokee County Circuit Court
The Cherokee County Circuit Court is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also includes DeKalb County. The circuit court handles civil cases, criminal matters, and divorces. Court records from 1882 forward are available.
| Address |
Cherokee County Courthouse 100 West Main Street Centre, AL 35960 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 927-3637 |
| Website | cherokee.alacourt.gov |
Divorce records from 1895 to 1950 have been digitized by FamilySearch. You can search these records online at no cost. For more recent divorces, contact the circuit clerk or use AlacourtAccess, the state's paid court records portal.
Court minutes from 1882 to 1892 and chancery court minutes from 1855 to 1916 are also at FamilySearch. These records can reveal family disputes, land cases, and other legal matters that mention ancestors.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery holds records that survived the Cherokee County fires. They have microfilmed copies of many documents. Some records were sent to the state before the fires. Others were reconstructed from copies held elsewhere.
Cherokee County records at the state archives include:
- Marriage Records (Colored), 1928-1952
- Marriage Records (White), 1930-1952
- Deed Records, 1892-1901
- Probate Minutes, 1882-1929
- Probate Records, 1885-1932
- Lists of Registered Voters, 1919-1920
- Military Discharge Records, 1919-1959
- Will Records, 1948-1952
The archives website has a County Records on Microfilm Database. Search it to see what Cherokee County records they hold. Staff in the research room can help you find materials and explain how to use them. The drive from Centre to Montgomery takes about two and a half hours.
| Address |
Alabama Department of Archives and History 624 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 242-4435 |
| Website | archives.alabama.gov |
Online Resources
Many Cherokee County records are now available online. These free and paid sites can save you time and travel.
Key online resources:
- FamilySearch - Free census, marriage, probate, and church records
- AlacourtAccess - Paid access to state court records
- Alabama Digital Archives - Free newspapers, photos, and documents
- Cherokee County USGenWeb - Free volunteer-submitted records
- Ancestry - Subscription database with census and vital records
FamilySearch has the most Cherokee County records for free. Their collection includes marriage indexes from 1882 to 1930, divorce records from 1895 to 1950, court minutes, and census indexes. Create a free account to access everything.
The Cherokee County USGenWeb site has transcribed records submitted by volunteers. Look for bible records, cemetery transcriptions, and family histories. This is a great starting point for any Cherokee County search.
Local Genealogy Societies
Joining a local society can speed up your research. Members share tips and may have records not found elsewhere. Several groups serve Cherokee County researchers.
The Historical Preservation Society of Cherokee County collects local history. Contact them at P.O. Box 94, Centre, AL 35960 or email preserving.cherokeeco.history@gmail.com.
The Cherokee County Historical Museum at 101 E. Main Street in Centre has local artifacts and records. Staff may know about families in the area. Call (256) 927-7835 for hours and information.
The Coosa River Valley Historical and Genealogical Society at P.O. Box 295, Centre, AL 35960 focuses on the region.
The Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society covers multiple counties including Cherokee. They meet in Gadsden and have a library at P.O. Box 8268, Gadsden, AL 35902. Their website at neags.com has research guides for Cherokee County.
The Cherokee Public Library in Centre has a genealogy section. Librarians can point you to local resources and help with searches.
Cities in Cherokee County
Cherokee County has several towns and communities. None have populations over 50,000, so all residents use the county offices in Centre for genealogy records. The probate court and health department serve the entire county.
Communities in Cherokee County include Centre (the county seat), Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaylesville, Leesburg, Piedmont, Rock Run, Sand Rock, Spring Garden, and Forney. Some towns like Collinsville and Piedmont extend into neighboring counties, so check records in both places if needed.
Nearby Counties
Families often crossed county lines. If your ancestors lived near a border, check records in neighboring counties too. Some of these counties have better preserved records that may mention Cherokee County residents.
Cherokee County also borders three Georgia counties: Chattooga, Floyd, and Polk. If your family moved between states, check Georgia records as well.