Search Chilton County Genealogy Records

Chilton County genealogy records present a unique challenge for family history researchers due to significant record loss in the county's early years. Most records only date back to around 1870, which means anyone tracing ancestors in this area before that time will need to rely on alternative sources. The county seat is Clanton, where the probate court handles marriage licenses, estate files, and other vital documents. Often called "Peach County" for its famous fruit crop, Chilton County sits in central Alabama and is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit. The county health department can access state vital records through the ViSION network, giving you access to birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from any Alabama county.

Important Note About Record Loss

Chilton County records only go back to about 1870. This is a major issue for genealogy research. The exact cause of the record loss is not fully documented, but it means that vital county documents from the early years are missing or incomplete. If your family lived in Chilton County before 1870, you will need to look at other sources to fill in the gaps.

This record loss affects marriage records, probate files, and land deeds. The county was formed in 1868, so even the earliest possible county records would only cover a few years before the loss occurred. For families in the area before 1868, records would have been kept by the parent counties: Autauga, Bibb, Perry, and Shelby.

Alternative sources to explore include:

• Federal census records from 1850, 1860, and 1870
• Church records from local congregations
• Cemetery records and headstone transcriptions
• Newspaper archives at the Alabama Department of Archives
• Records from the parent counties before 1868
• Military service records for Civil War veterans

The Alabama Department of Archives and History may have copies of some records that survived. Check their digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov for any Chilton County materials.

What Records Are Available

Despite the early record loss, Chilton County has a good collection of records from 1870 forward. The probate court keeps marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and land records. The county health department provides access to state vital records through the ViSION system. Circuit Court records include civil and criminal cases.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present (state system)
• Death records from 1908 to present (state system)
• Marriage records from about 1870 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from about 1870
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

Before 1908, Alabama did not keep statewide vital records. For births and deaths from 1870 to 1908, check the probate court or look for church records. Some families kept their own records in family bibles, which can be a great source for this time period.

Chilton County Probate Court

The Chilton County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy records in the county. Located in Clanton, the office keeps marriage licenses, probate files, and land records. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy without proving a family connection. This makes marriage records one of the easiest genealogy sources to access. The court has marriage indexes from about 1870 to the present day. Staff can help you search the index and pull the files you need.

Probate files include wills, estate inventories, and guardianship records. These documents often name family members and show relationships. An estate file might list a spouse, children, and other heirs. This type of record can help you build out your family tree and confirm connections between generations.

Land records at the probate court show property transfers going back to about 1870. These deeds often include names of family members and can help trace where your ancestors lived. Early land records may reference grants from the federal government or purchases from other settlers.

Chilton County Health Department

The Chilton County Health Department can provide certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, staff can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to visit the county where the event happened. This makes getting records from anywhere in the state much easier.

Birth records have access rules. Records less than 125 years old are restricted. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. After 125 years, birth records become open to everyone. Death records have a 25-year rule. Recent death records have some limits, but older ones are fully public.

Walk-in service is often same day for records that are in the ViSION system. You will need a valid ID and the details of the record you want. If you are not the person on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. The office also takes mail requests for those who cannot visit in person.

Chilton County Circuit Court

The Chilton County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. For genealogy, the most relevant records are divorce files. Divorce records show both names, the date, and often details about children and property. These files give more information than a basic certificate from the state.

Chilton County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Autauga, Coosa, and Elmore counties. The circuit clerk keeps all court records at the courthouse in Clanton. You can search for cases and request copies of documents.

Court records can reveal family disputes, property claims, and other matters that tell the story of your ancestors. Even small cases might mention family members or neighbors who could lead to more research clues.

How to Search Chilton County Records

You have several ways to search for records in Chilton County. In-person visits work best when you need to see original documents or want staff help with your search. Mail requests are good when you know exactly what you need. Online resources can help you search indexes and find leads before visiting.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in Clanton
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com

VitalChek is the state's official online ordering partner. They add a service fee on top of the state fee, but it is a fast way to get records if you cannot visit in person. You can also call them at 1-888-279-9888.

For probate records, visit the courthouse in Clanton. Staff can help you search the marriage index and locate probate files. Bring a notebook to take notes and a valid ID. You can order copies of any documents you find.

Online resources for Chilton County research:

• AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com for court records
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection
• FamilySearch at familysearch.org (free)
• Ancestry at ancestry.com (subscription)
• FindAGrave for cemetery records

Local Genealogy Resources

The Clanton Public Library has a local history collection. The library holds old city directories, newspaper clippings, and genealogy materials. Staff can help point you to sources for Chilton County research. The library also offers free access to Ancestry and other paid databases.

The Chilton County Historical Society is another resource. They collect and preserve local history materials. Members may have knowledge of specific families or can help you find sources that are not well known. Joining a local group often speeds up your research.

Cemetery records are important for Chilton County genealogy. With the early record loss, headstones may be the only source for birth and death dates before 1870. The county has many old cemeteries, and some have been transcribed by volunteers. Check FindAGrave and other online databases for Chilton County cemetery listings.

Church records can fill gaps left by the missing county records. Many churches kept their own registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in the area. Contact local congregations or check if their records have been deposited at a historical society or archive.

Records from Parent Counties

Chilton County was formed in 1868 from parts of four other counties. If your ancestors lived in the area before 1868, you need to check the records of these parent counties:

• Autauga County (north and east portions)
• Bibb County (west portion)
• Perry County (southwest portion)
• Shelby County (northeast portion)

Each of these counties may have records for your family from before Chilton County existed. Land records are especially useful. A deed from Autauga or Bibb County in the 1850s or 1860s might show where your Chilton County ancestors were living at that time.

The county line changes can be confusing. An ancestor might appear in census records for one county and then show up in Chilton County a few years later without ever moving. Understanding these boundary changes is key to tracking families through the records.

Federal Records for Chilton County

Federal records can fill in some of the gaps left by the county's record loss. Census records are especially valuable. The 1870 census is the first one that would show families in Chilton County after it was formed. Earlier census years (1850 and 1860) would list families in the parent counties.

Federal records to check include:

• Census records from 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and beyond
• Civil War military service records
• Confederate pension applications (from state records)
• Freedmen's Bureau records for African American families
• Land patents from the General Land Office

The 1870 census is the first to list African Americans by name. For Black families in Chilton County, this census and the Freedmen's Bureau records are key sources. The Bureau operated in Alabama from 1865 to 1872 and created records of labor contracts, marriages, and other matters.

Many federal records are available online through FamilySearch and the National Archives. The Alabama Department of Archives also has microfilm copies of census records and other federal documents.

Cities and Towns in Chilton County

Chilton County has several cities and towns, though none have a population over 50,000. The county seat is Clanton, which is the largest city. All municipalities in Chilton County use the county probate court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records.

Communities in Chilton County include Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby, Maplesville, and Verbena. Each has its own history and may have local records such as church files or cemetery records. The town of Thorsby was settled by Scandinavian immigrants in the 1890s, which adds an interesting element to genealogy research in that area.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chilton County. Families often moved across county lines, so checking records in nearby areas can help your research. Remember that some of these counties were also the parent counties that formed Chilton County in 1868.