Find Genealogy Records in Choctaw County

Choctaw County genealogy records offer a window into southwest Alabama's past, with documents dating back to the county's creation in 1847. The county sits along the Mississippi state line, and this border location shaped its settlement patterns as families moved between the two states. Researchers will find the Choctaw County Probate Court in Butler as the main source for marriage licenses, wills, and estate files. The county health department provides access to birth and death records through the state ViSION system. This rural county has preserved many of its historical records well, making it a solid starting point for family history work in the region.

Types of Genealogy Records

Choctaw County maintains several types of records useful for family history research. The probate court has marriage records from the county's founding in 1847 to the present. State vital records, including birth and death certificates, start in 1908 when Alabama began requiring registration.

Records you can find in Choctaw County include:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1847 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Wills and probate files
• Land deeds and property records
• Tax rolls and voter lists
• Court case files
• Confederate pension applications

For births and deaths before 1908, you will need to use other sources. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles often fill these gaps. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some older Choctaw County records too. Census records from 1850 forward list everyone by name and are free to search at FamilySearch.

Choctaw County Probate Court

The Choctaw County Probate Court is your primary stop for genealogy research. Located in the courthouse in Butler, this office holds marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and land records. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama.

Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1847. These records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family connection. The records show names, dates, and sometimes ages or birthplaces. They are among the most useful documents for tracing family lines.

Wills and estate records reveal family relationships across generations. When someone died owning property, their estate went through probate. The files include wills, inventories, sale bills, and final distributions. These documents often list heirs and their relationships to the deceased.

The courthouse sits in downtown Butler. Street parking is available. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can help you search indexes and pull records for viewing. They work with researchers often and can point you toward useful sources.

Choctaw County Health Department

The Choctaw County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the Alabama ViSION system, staff can access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from anywhere in the state. You do not need to visit the county where the event happened.

Access rules apply to vital records in Alabama. Birth records less than 125 years old have restrictions. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death records less than 25 years old have similar limits. After these time periods, the records become open to anyone for genealogy research.

Walk-in service is usually same day. Bring a valid ID and the details of the record you need. Staff will search the database and print your document while you wait. If you are not the person on the record, bring proof of your relationship or legal right to access it.

Choctaw County Circuit Court

The Choctaw County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. The county is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit along with Clarke and Washington counties. This court has divorce records, civil lawsuits, and criminal case files that can be useful for genealogy.

Divorce records often help with family research. They can show maiden names, ages, and children's names. Alabama divorce records from the circuit court are separate from those at the health department. The health department has an index of divorces. The circuit court has the full case files with details.

You can search some court records online through Alacourt. Go to pa.alacourt.com and select Choctaw County. The system shows case index data. For full documents, you must contact the court or visit in person.

Border County Research

Choctaw County sits on the Alabama-Mississippi line. This matters for genealogy because families often moved back and forth across the border. An ancestor might appear in Mississippi records one decade and Alabama records the next. The Tombigbee River, which runs through the area, served as a highway for settlement and commerce.

When researching Choctaw County families, also check these Mississippi counties:

• Lauderdale County, Mississippi (directly west)
• Kemper County, Mississippi (northwest)
• Wayne County, Mississippi (southwest)

Mississippi vital records work differently than Alabama. The Mississippi State Department of Health has records from 1912 forward. For earlier records, check county courthouses in Mississippi. Church records and cemetery logs also help bridge the gap when families crossed the state line.

The Choctaw people originally inhabited this region. The county takes its name from them. Some residents may have Choctaw ancestry to trace. Tribal records, federal Indian census rolls, and Bureau of Indian Affairs documents can help with this research. The Dawes Rolls and earlier records are at the National Archives.

Online Resources

Several websites have Choctaw County genealogy records. Most are free to use. Others require a subscription but may be available through public libraries.

Key online resources include:

• FamilySearch at familysearch.org has free census records, some vital records, and church records
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• Ancestry at ancestry.com with the largest collection of Alabama records
• Find A Grave at findagrave.com for cemetery records and gravestone photos

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digitized many older records. Their online collection includes newspapers, photographs, and government documents from across the state. Search for Choctaw County to see what is available. Old newspapers often have birth, marriage, and death notices that fill gaps in official records.

FamilySearch is completely free and has strong Alabama coverage. They have indexed census records, some vital records, and church records. Create a free account to use all their tools. The Alabama collection grows as volunteers add new data. You may find Choctaw County records there that have not been indexed elsewhere.

How to Search Records

Searching Choctaw County records takes a plan. Start by deciding what time period you need. For records after 1908, the probate court and health department are your main sources. For earlier records, use census data, church files, and state archives.

Online searches give you an overview. Start with FamilySearch to find names and dates. Then check Ancestry if you have access. Many public libraries offer free Ancestry access, so check with your local library. These searches help you know what exists before you make a trip to Butler.

For vital records, you have three options:

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

VitalChek is the state's online partner for vital records. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee. But it is fast and convenient if you cannot travel to the county. You can also call them at 1-888-279-9888 to place an order by phone.

For probate records, contact the court directly. Call ahead to ask about their search process. Staff can tell you what records they have and how to get copies. Some older records may be in storage and take time to retrieve.

In-Person Research

Visiting Choctaw County in person lets you access records that are not online. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. Plan your trip for a weekday when offices are open. Butler is a small town, so services are limited to regular business hours.

The Choctaw County Courthouse is in downtown Butler. Both the probate court and circuit clerk are in the same building. Arrive early for the best service. Bring a notebook, pencil, and your research notes. Staff can pull files and let you view them in the office.

The county does not have a large public library with extensive genealogy holdings. But the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is about two hours east of Butler. Their research room is open to the public and has the best collection of old Alabama records. Plan to spend a full day there if you can make the trip.

For regional resources, the University of South Alabama in Mobile has Alabama history materials. Mobile is about an hour and a half south of Butler. Their library may have records or books about Choctaw County not found elsewhere.

Alternative Record Sources

When courthouse records do not have what you need, try other sources. Many records about Choctaw County residents survive in federal, state, and private collections.

Federal census records are essential. The U.S. Census counted everyone in Choctaw County starting in 1850, the first census after the county formed. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses are all available. These list each person by name with ages and birthplaces. Census records are free at FamilySearch.

Church records fill vital records gaps. Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches kept records of their members. These include baptisms, marriages, deaths, and sometimes disciplinary actions. Contact local churches to ask about their records. Some have donated old books to archives or historical societies.

Cemetery records give dates that official records may not have. Choctaw County has many old cemeteries, some well maintained and others in rural areas. Find A Grave has photos and data from many local cemeteries. The Choctaw County Historical Society has also worked on cemetery transcriptions.

Military records often survive when local records do not. Confederate service records and pension applications are at the National Archives and the Alabama Department of Archives. World War I and World War II draft cards list personal details and family contacts. These records can prove relationships and provide biographical information.

Local Research Tips

Choctaw County research has some quirks to know about. The county formed in 1847 from parts of Sumter and Washington counties. If your family was here before 1847, check records in those parent counties too. County lines have shifted over time.

The timber industry shaped the county's history. Many families came to work in sawmills and logging camps. Company records, if they survive, can show who worked there and when. Check with local historical societies for leads on these business records.

Land records tell family stories. The county has deed books going back to its founding. These show who owned land and when it changed hands. Land often stayed in families for generations. Tracing land can help trace family lines, especially when other records are missing.

Check neighboring Alabama counties as well as Mississippi. Families moved around. A record you cannot find in Choctaw County might be in Sumter, Washington, Clarke, or Marengo counties. Early settlers moved where land was available or where relatives had already settled.

The 1st Judicial Circuit covers Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington counties. Some court records may be indexed by circuit rather than by county. If you have trouble finding a case, ask staff about how records are organized. They deal with these questions regularly.

Cities and Towns in Choctaw County

Choctaw County has several small towns. None have populations over 50,000. All residents use the Choctaw County Probate Court in Butler for marriage licenses and the county health department for vital records.

Towns in Choctaw County include Butler, Gilbertown, Lisman, Needham, Silas, Toxey, and Pennington. Butler is the county seat and the largest town with around 1,800 residents. All genealogy records are centralized at the county level in Butler.

Nearby Counties

These Alabama counties border Choctaw County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. Early settlers moved between counties as land became available. County boundaries also changed in the early years.