Find Genealogy Records in Clay County

Clay County genealogy records reach back to 1866 when the county was carved from parts of Randolph and Talladega counties. The county seat is Ashland, a small town in the rolling hills of east-central Alabama. Genealogy researchers will find birth, death, and marriage records at the Clay County Probate Court and the Clay County Health Department. Part of the 40th Judicial Circuit along with Coosa and Randolph counties, Clay County has preserved many records from its earliest days. The area drew settlers from Georgia and the Carolinas after the Creek Indian removal. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles help fill in details from those early years when the state did not yet require vital record keeping.

What Records Are Available

Clay County keeps several types of genealogy records. State vital records begin in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1867, just one year after the county was formed. The county also holds land deeds, estate files, wills, and court records. Many older documents from the late 1800s remain on file at the probate office or have been moved to the state archives in Montgomery for preservation.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1867 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

Birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Alabama did not require state registration until that year. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for events from the 1800s. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some early Clay County records that were moved there for safekeeping.

Census records are vital for Clay County research. Federal census records from 1870 onward list Clay County residents by name. The 1870 census was the first after the county was formed. Earlier census records would list your ancestors in Randolph or Talladega counties. State census records from 1855, 1866, and 1907 can also help fill gaps between federal counts.

Clay County Probate Court

The Clay County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy research in this county. This office keeps marriage records, wills, estate files, and guardianship papers. The probate judge also serves as the chief administrator of county government in Alabama. Marriage records here date back to 1867, and the indexes make it fairly easy to find what you need.

The courthouse sits in downtown Ashland on the public square. Staff at the probate office can help you search their indexes and locate files. You can view records in person during office hours. For copies, staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait. They also accept mail requests if you cannot make the trip.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family link. This makes marriage records one of the easier types to access for genealogy work. The office keeps marriage indexes that help you find the right record by name and date. Older marriage books have been well maintained despite the county's rural setting.

Wills and estate files provide rich details. When someone died, their estate often went through probate court. These files list heirs, property, and sometimes debts. You can learn about family ties from who was named in a will or who served as administrator. Estate inventories show what goods and land a family owned, which can reveal much about their daily lives.

County Health Department

The Clay County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the statewide ViSION network, staff can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not need to visit the county where the event took place. Any county health office in Alabama can pull records from the state system, which makes things much simpler for researchers.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have restrictions. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have some limits too. After these time periods pass, the records become open for genealogy use by anyone.

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, such as the full name and approximate date. If you are not the person named on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. The office also takes mail requests, which is handy for out-of-state researchers.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Clay County. Online searches work for some lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its own strengths.

Start with online resources. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digital records. FamilySearch has free indexed Alabama records. These can help you find names and dates before you request official copies from the county.

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 ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records at their website. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order. This is a fast option if you cannot travel to Alabama.

The Ashland Public Library has some local history materials. Old newspapers, school yearbooks, and local history books can add context to your research. Staff may know of collections that are not widely known. Small town libraries often hold unique items that never got digitized or cataloged elsewhere.

Online Access Options

Clay County is a small, rural county with limited online records of its own. However, state and national databases help fill the gap. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records from across the state. Their collection includes old newspapers, photos, and government files that may mention Clay County families.

Online resources for Clay 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
• Find A Grave cemetery records at findagrave.com

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. 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. Many Clay County records have been indexed by volunteers over the years.

Census records are key for Clay County research. Federal census records from 1870 to 1950 list Clay County residents. The 1870 census was the first taken after the county was formed in 1866. Earlier ancestors would appear in Randolph or Talladega county records. Census data shows family groups, ages, birthplaces, and jobs. This helps you link generations together.

In-Person Access

A visit in person is the best way to see full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. You may find items that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook and a valid ID with you.

The Clay County Courthouse is on the public square in downtown Ashland. The probate office is inside. Go there to search marriage records, wills, and estate files. Staff can search indexes and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The staff in small county offices like this often have time to help and may know local family connections.

Clay County is part of the Cheaha Regional Library System. The Ashland branch has local history materials. Old newspapers, school annuals, and family histories may be found here. Ask staff about any genealogy files they hold. Donated materials from local families often end up in these small libraries.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the drive. Their research room has the largest collection of old Alabama records in the state. Some Clay County probate and land records from the 1800s are kept there. The trip from Ashland takes about two hours, but the depth of their holdings makes it worthwhile for serious researchers.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Clay County match state rates. 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 are set by state law. The main 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 amount depends on how fast you want delivery. Standard shipping costs less than rush orders. Phone orders may have a small extra charge. Compare costs before you decide which method to use.

Local Genealogy Tips

Clay County has a distinct character. The county was named after Henry Clay, the Kentucky senator and statesman. The terrain is hilly and wooded, part of the Appalachian foothills. Farming and timber were the main ways to make a living in the 1800s and early 1900s. Many families stayed in the area for generations, so local records tend to show the same surnames again and again.

Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama, sits partly in Clay County. The area around the mountain was less settled than the valleys. If your family lived near Cheaha, check both Clay and Cleburne county records since the border runs through that area. The Talladega National Forest covers much of the county today.

Church records are vital here. Baptist, Methodist, and Primitive Baptist congregations kept their own records of births, deaths, and marriages. Some of these church records predate the county itself. If your family was active in a church, those records may hold details not found anywhere else. Check with local churches or the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission for leads.

Cemeteries dot the countryside. Many family cemeteries on private land have graves from the 1800s. Find A Grave and the Clay County Historical Society have documented some of these. Tombstones often list birth and death years that help confirm identity. Some stones also name parents or spouses, which can break down brick walls in your research.

African American genealogy in Clay County involves Freedmen's Bureau records. These federal files from after the Civil War list names, ages, and family ties of formerly enslaved people. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these records. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. Reconstruction-era records can help trace families back before emancipation.

The Clay County Historical Society collects local history. They may have family files, old photos, or documents that help with research. Local groups like this often know about private collections that never made it into public archives. A phone call or visit can point you toward sources you would not find on your own.

Cities in Clay County

Clay County has several small towns. None have populations over 50,000, so all residents use the Clay County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The main towns include Ashland, Lineville, and Delta. All of these use the same county offices for genealogy records. Lineville is the largest town, though Ashland is the county seat where most records are kept.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clay County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time. Clay County was formed from Randolph and Talladega in 1866, so ancestors from before that date would appear in those counties instead.