Find Genealogy Records in Conecuh County

Conecuh County genealogy records date back to 1818 when the county was formed. The county seat is Evergreen, and the Conecuh County Probate Court holds vital marriage records and estate files going back to the early days of statehood.

What Records Are Available

Conecuh County has a good range of genealogy records for its size. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1818, though some early records were lost over time. You can also find land deeds, estate files, and old court records at the courthouse in Evergreen.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1818 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

Older birth and death records before 1908 are hard to find. Alabama did not start keeping state vital records until that year. You may need to look at church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for events from that time. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some older records that can fill in the gaps.

Conecuh County Probate Court

The Conecuh County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy work in this county. The court keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and name changes. The probate judge runs both the court and serves as the head of county government in Alabama. All records are kept at the courthouse in Evergreen.

Unlike larger counties, Conecuh does not have an online records portal. You need to call, write, or visit in person to search records. Staff at the probate office can look up records for you if you give them names and dates. They are used to helping people with genealogy research. Copies can be mailed to you after you pay the fee.

Marriage records at the probate court are public records. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link. This makes marriage records one of the best places to start your genealogy search. The court has marriage indexes that go back to the county's founding year. Bring as much info as you can when you call or visit.

County Health Department

The Conecuh County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. You do not have to visit the county where the event took place. Any county health office in Alabama can pull records from the state system, which makes this a good option for local residents.

There are access rules for vital records that you should know. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits on who can get them. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have some limits. After these time periods pass, the records become open to all for genealogy use.

Walk-in service is often same day at the health department. Staff search the state database and print your record while you wait. You must 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. The office also takes mail requests if you cannot visit.

How to Search Records

You have a few ways to search genealogy records in Conecuh County. In-person visits are the most direct. Phone calls work for simple lookups. Mail requests are good when you know what you need. Each method has its own pros and cons for your research.

For probate records, call the courthouse first. Ask if they have the records you need. Staff can check the index and tell you what is on file. If they find something, you can visit to see the full record or ask for a copy by mail. This saves you a trip if the records are not there.

For vital records, you have three 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 way to get records if you cannot visit in person or do not want to wait for mail.

For older records, the Alabama Department of Archives and History is a key resource. Many old Conecuh County records have been microfilmed and are held in Montgomery. The archives has probate records, tax lists, and census data. You can visit their research room or order copies by mail. Their website has guides to help you find what they hold.

Online Access Options

Conecuh County does not have its own online records portal. This is common for smaller Alabama counties. But you can still find some records online through state and national databases. These free and paid sites can help with your research from home.

Online resources for Conecuh 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

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Some Conecuh County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history research when you cannot travel.

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their collection grows all the time as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to access all their tools and save your research. Many Conecuh County records have been indexed by FamilySearch volunteers.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records in Conecuh County. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. You may find things that do not show up in any index. Bring a notebook and a valid ID with you when you go.

The Conecuh County Courthouse is on Court Street in Evergreen. Go to the probate office and ask for help with records. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The office is small, so you may get one-on-one help with your search.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth the trip for serious research. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Conecuh County probate records, tax lists, and census records from the 1800s are there. Staff can help you find what you need. The drive from Evergreen takes about two hours.

Local libraries can also help. The Conecuh County Public Library in Evergreen may have local history materials. They might have old newspapers, family files, or local history books. Ask the librarian if they have a genealogy section or know of local researchers who can help point you in the right direction.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Conecuh 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 are also standard across the state. 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 exact amount depends on shipping speed. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. If you order by phone, there may be a small extra charge. But VitalChek is still useful when you need records fast or cannot visit in person.

Cash and money orders are accepted at county offices. Some may also take checks or debit cards, but call ahead to confirm. Mail requests should include a money order or check for the full amount. The office will send your records once payment clears.

Local Genealogy Tips

Conecuh County has a long history. The county was named after a Creek word meaning "land of cane." It was one of the first counties formed after Alabama became a state in 1819. The area was home to Creek and other Native American tribes before white settlers came. Early settlers were mostly farmers from Georgia and the Carolinas.

The county lost some early records over the years. Fires and poor storage took a toll. But many records survived, and the probate court still has marriage and estate files going back to 1818. Check the Alabama Department of Archives for copies of records that may have been moved or microfilmed for safety.

African American genealogy in Conecuh County can be hard but is worth the effort. Slavery was common here before the Civil War. Check the Freedmen's Bureau records for ancestors who lived through that time. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Church records from Black congregations are another key source for the post-war years.

The Conecuh National Forest covers part of the county. If your ancestors lived in rural parts, they may appear in forest service or land office records. Check land patents and homestead files at the National Archives. Some of these are online through the Bureau of Land Management site.

Local cemeteries can fill in gaps where records are missing. Many small family cemeteries dot the county. Tombstones may give birth and death dates not found anywhere else. The Alabama Cemetery Database and FindAGrave have photos of many headstones. These sites are free and can be searched by name.

Cities in Conecuh County

Conecuh County has several small towns and communities. All of them use the Conecuh County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The main office in Evergreen serves the whole county. No cities in Conecuh County have a population over 50,000.

Cities and towns in Conecuh County include Evergreen, Castleberry, and Repton. Evergreen is the county seat and the largest town. All genealogy records for the county are kept at the courthouse in Evergreen. There is no separate records office for other towns.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Conecuh County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect. Conecuh County was formed from parts of Monroe County.