Find Genealogy Records in DeKalb County

DeKalb County genealogy records date back to 1836 when the county was formed from parts of Cherokee County land that had been ceded by the Cherokee Nation. The county seat is Fort Payne, located in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Alabama. The DeKalb County Probate Court is the main source for marriage licenses, wills, and estate files. The county health department handles birth and death records through the state ViSION system. This area has a rich mountain heritage, and many families have roots here going back six or seven generations. Researchers will find a mix of old records at the courthouse and newer digital records through state databases.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

DeKalb County has genealogy records that span nearly two centuries. The probate court holds marriage records from 1836 to the present day. Land deeds, wills, and estate papers are also kept at the courthouse. Birth and death records through the state system start in 1908. Before that date, you may need to check church records, family bibles, or cemetery logs to find vital information.

Types of genealogy records you can find in DeKalb County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present (state system)
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1836 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1836
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge papers

The county has kept most of its old records intact. Unlike some Alabama counties that lost files to courthouse fires, DeKalb County has a fairly complete set of documents going back to its founding. This makes it a good county for tracing family lines into the 1800s. Some gaps exist in certain record types, but overall the collection is strong.

DeKalb County Probate Court

The DeKalb County Probate Court is the heart of local genealogy research. The court keeps marriage licenses, wills, estate records, and land documents. The probate judge also handles adoptions and guardianship matters. All of these records can help you build a family tree. The office sits in the DeKalb County Courthouse in downtown Fort Payne.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy without proving a family link. This makes marriage licenses one of the easiest records to get for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes from 1836 forward. Early records are handwritten in old ledger books, while newer ones are in the computer system.

The probate court can help you find wills and estate files. When a person died and left property, the court handled the distribution. These records often list heirs, family members, and property details. They can reveal family connections that do not appear in other documents. Estate files sometimes include inventories of personal items, which give a glimpse into how ancestors lived.

Land records at the probate court go back to the earliest days of the county. Deed books show who bought and sold property over the years. These records can help you track where families lived and when they moved. Sometimes deed records mention family relationships, especially when land passed from parent to child.

DeKalb County Health Department

The DeKalb County Health Department issues certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. They use the ViSION network, which is the state database for vital records. This means you can get any Alabama vital record from this office, not just DeKalb County events. Staff search the system and print records while you wait.

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 similar limits. After these time periods pass, the records open up for anyone to request. Genealogists can get older records without proving a family tie.

Walk-in service is the fastest way to get records. Bring a valid ID and know the details of what you need. If the record is restricted, bring proof of your right to get it. The staff are helpful and can guide you through the process. Mail requests are also accepted if you cannot visit in person.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in DeKalb County. Each method works best for different situations. Online searches are good for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see original documents. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need.

For probate records, start by calling or visiting the courthouse. The staff can search their index by name and date range. They will tell you what records exist and how to get copies. Some basic index data may be available through the Alacourt system, but most detailed searches need staff help.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a written request with payment
• Order online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from their website. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee, but the process is fast. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order. This works well if you live far away and cannot visit.

The DeKalb County Public Library in Fort Payne has local history materials. They have old newspapers, city directories, and some family files. Staff can point you to resources that may help with your search. The library is a good place to start if you are new to the area.

Online Access Options

DeKalb County has some online access for genealogy records, though less than larger Alabama counties. The state court system provides basic case information through AlacourtAccess. This tool covers circuit and district court records, but probate records need a separate search at the courthouse.

Online resources for DeKalb County genealogy research:

• 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
• FindAGrave for cemetery records at findagrave.com

FamilySearch has indexed many Alabama records, including census data and some vital records. Their DeKalb County collection includes marriage records, probate files, and land records from the 1800s. The site is free to use. Create an account to access all their tools and save your research.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a growing digital collection. They have old newspapers, photos, maps, and government documents. Some DeKalb County materials are in their online holdings. This is a good place to look for historical context about the area and its people.

Cemetery records are valuable for genealogy. FindAGrave has photos and listings for many DeKalb County cemeteries. Volunteers have added grave markers, birth dates, and death dates. This can help you find ancestors when other records are missing or incomplete.

In-Person Research

Visiting in person is often the best way to do deep genealogy research. You can see original documents, ask questions, and find records that are not indexed online. Plan your trip ahead of time to make the most of your visit.

The DeKalb County Courthouse is the main stop. Go to the probate office on the second floor. Staff can search the index and pull old record books for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. Bring a notebook, pencil, and a valid ID. The courthouse has parking nearby.

The Fort Payne Depot Museum has local history exhibits. While it is not a records office, the museum can help you understand the area's past. They have displays about the Cherokee removal, the sock industry, and early settlement patterns. This context can guide your research in useful directions.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for serious research. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some DeKalb County documents from the 1800s are stored there. The drive from Fort Payne takes about two and a half hours.

The DeKalb County Public Library has a local history section. Check their hours before you go. Staff can help you find materials about families and places in the county. They may have vertical files with clippings and notes that are not cataloged elsewhere.

Local Genealogy Tips

DeKalb County sits in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Alabama. The landscape shaped how people lived here. Families often stayed in small communities for generations. This means local church records and cemetery logs are valuable sources. Many small cemeteries dot the countryside, and some are on private land.

The county was formed from Cherokee land in 1836. This was right after the Cherokee removal, often called the Trail of Tears. Some Cherokee people remained in the area, and their descendants still live here. If you have Cherokee ancestors in DeKalb County, check federal records like the Baker Roll and the Dawes Rolls, along with local sources.

Little River Canyon runs through the county. This deep gorge created natural barriers that kept some communities isolated. Families in these areas may have stayed put for a long time, making their records easier to trace. But isolation also meant some events went unrecorded. You may find gaps that church records or family stories can fill.

The sock and hosiery industry brought jobs to Fort Payne in the mid-1900s. Many families moved to the county seat for work. If your ancestors came during that era, check employment records and local newspapers. The mills kept some records that may help.

Several genealogy groups cover DeKalb County. The Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society has members who know local sources. They meet regularly and share research tips. Joining a local group can speed up your work and connect you with others who research the same families.

DeKalb County Circuit Court

The DeKalb County Circuit Court handles divorce records and other civil cases. If you need divorce files for genealogy, this is where to look. The court is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Cherokee County. Divorce records can show maiden names, children's names, and property details that help with family research.

The Circuit Clerk keeps court files and can help you search for cases. Basic case information is available through AlacourtAccess online. For full documents, you need to visit the clerk's office or request copies by mail. Older divorce files may be stored in archives, so ask the clerk about records from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Civil court records beyond divorces can also help with genealogy. Lawsuits sometimes name family members or describe property. Estate disputes might list heirs. Land cases can show who owned what and when. These records take more digging, but they can solve mysteries that other sources cannot.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several towns and communities. All of them use the DeKalb County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama. All requests go through the county.

Fort Payne is the county seat and largest city, with about 14,000 people. Other communities include Rainsville, Collinsville, Mentone, Fyffe, Crossville, Valley Head, Henagar, Ider, Geraldine, Hammondville, Powell, Shiloh, and Sylvania. Some of these are small towns with just a few hundred residents. All genealogy records for these places are kept at the county level in Fort Payne.

Mentone sits atop Lookout Mountain and has a long history as a summer retreat. Early tourists and settlers left records that may help if your family had ties to the mountain communities. Valley Head is at the foot of the mountain and served as a railroad stop. Check local histories for details about these smaller places.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time. An ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect. Early settlers moved around, and some families had land in more than one county.

Dade County, Georgia also borders DeKalb County to the east. If your family lived near the state line, you may need to check Georgia records. Some families moved back and forth across this border, especially in the mountain areas. Lookout Mountain straddles the state line, and communities on both sides had close ties.