Find Escambia County Genealogy Records

Escambia County genealogy records date back to 1868 when the county was carved from parts of Baldwin and Conecuh counties. The probate court in Brewton holds marriage records, wills, and estate files going back over 150 years.

What Records Are Available

Escambia County has a good collection of genealogy records. The county did not lose records to fire, which makes research easier than in some other Alabama counties. Records at the probate court date back to the county's founding in 1868. State vital records begin in 1908.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1868 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1868
• Land deeds and property records
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files

For births and deaths before 1908, you will need to check other sources. The state did not keep these records at that time. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles are your best bet for older vital events. Some families in Escambia County kept their own records that have been passed down through the years.

The county also has records from the old Pollard area. Pollard was once a busy railroad junction and had its own set of records. Some of these found their way into the county archives when the town declined. Researchers with Pollard roots may find useful data mixed into the general county collection.

Escambia County Probate Court

The Escambia County Probate Court is the main source for local genealogy records. The office is in the county courthouse in downtown Brewton. Staff can help you search for marriage records, wills, estate files, and land deeds. 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 link. This makes marriage records one of the most useful sources for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes from 1868 to the present day. Staff can search by name and give you the book and page number for any match they find.

Probate files contain wills, estate inventories, and heir lists. These records show how property passed from one generation to the next. They often name all children and can prove family links that would be hard to find otherwise. Estate files are a rich source for genealogy work, especially for families who owned land or had some wealth to pass on.

Land deeds are another key record type at the probate court. Deeds show who bought and sold property in the county. They often list family ties when land passed between relatives. You can trace a family's time in Escambia County by following their land records through the years.

County Health Department

The Escambia 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. This makes the local office a one-stop shop for state records.

There are access rules for vital records that you should know about. 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 request a copy. Death records less than 25 years old also have some limits. After these time periods pass, the records open up for genealogy use by anyone.

Walk-in service is often same day. 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 for those who cannot visit in person.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Escambia County. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Online options exist but are limited for this rural county.

For probate records, start with a visit or phone call to the courthouse. Staff can search their indexes and tell you what they have. You can then request copies by mail or pick them up in person. The probate office does not have a public online search portal, so you need to contact them directly.

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. This is a fast way to get records if you cannot visit in person. The site walks you through each step of the order.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for serious research. Their collection includes old Escambia County records, newspapers, and tax lists. Staff can help you find sources that are not online. The drive from Brewton takes about two and a half hours, but the collection is the best in the state.

Online Research Resources

Escambia County has fewer online records than larger Alabama counties. The probate court does not offer a public search portal. But several statewide and national databases can help with your research.

Online resources for Escambia County genealogy:

• AlacourtAccess for court records
• Alabama Digital Archives for newspapers and government files
• FamilySearch for free census and vital records
• Ancestry for indexed records with a subscription
• Find A Grave for cemetery photos and burial info

FamilySearch is free to use. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and some church records. Their collection keeps growing as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to see everything they have for Escambia County.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a digital collection online. You can view old newspapers, photos, and government records from home. Search their site for Escambia County to see what is available. Some items are scanned but not indexed, so you may need to browse page by page.

AlacourtAccess covers court records from all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name or case number. This tool helps you find divorce cases, civil suits, and criminal records from the 21st Judicial Circuit. Most records date from the 1990s forward, though some older cases appear in the system.

In-Person Research

Visiting Brewton in person is the best way to dig deep into Escambia County records. Staff at the probate court can help you find items that do not show up in online indexes. You can view original documents, take notes, and order copies on the spot.

The Escambia County Courthouse is in downtown Brewton on Belleville Avenue. Go to the probate office and ask for help with your search. Staff are used to genealogy requests and know what records are available. Bring a notebook, pencil, and any family information you already have.

The Thomas E. McMillan Museum in Brewton has local history displays. They hold some old photos and documents that may help your research. The museum focuses on Escambia County history and can point you toward other local sources. Call ahead to check their hours before you visit.

The Brewton Public Library has a small local history section. Staff may have leads on family histories and old newspaper clippings. The library also offers free internet access if you want to search online databases while in town.

For deeper research, plan a trip to Montgomery. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has the best collection of old state records. They hold census data, military files, land grants, and old newspaper archives. Staff there are trained to help genealogists find what they need.

Special Research Tips

Escambia County has some unique features that affect genealogy research. The county sits on the Florida border. Many families moved back and forth between Alabama and Florida over the years. If you cannot find a record in Escambia County, Alabama, check Escambia County, Florida. The two counties share a name but are separate places with separate records.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has a reservation in Escambia County. Native American genealogy requires different sources than standard county records. The tribe keeps its own enrollment records. Federal records from the Bureau of Indian Affairs may also help. Start with the Dawes Rolls if your ancestors were enrolled before 1907.

Timber and turpentine industries brought many workers to Escambia County in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Company towns had their own records. If your family worked in these industries, check for company records at the Alabama Department of Archives. Some mill and camp records have been donated over the years.

The Louisville and Nashville Railroad ran through Escambia County. Railroad workers often appear in company pension files and employment records. The L&N Railroad records are held at various archives. Check the University of Louisville archives for some of these files.

African American families in Escambia County can check Freedmen's Bureau records. These federal files document the years right after the Civil War. They include marriage records, labor contracts, and other documents for formerly enslaved people. The Alabama Department of Archives and FamilySearch both have digitized versions of these records.

Alternative Record Sources

When county records do not have what you need, try these other sources. They can fill gaps and add detail to your family story.

Federal Census Records

The federal census was taken every ten years. Escambia County appears in the 1870 census (the first after the county was formed) and every census through 1950. The 1950 census became public in 2022. These records list names, ages, birthplaces, and jobs. They are free at FamilySearch and the Alabama Department of Archives.

Church Records

Church records can fill in when civil records are missing. Many Escambia County churches kept baptism, marriage, and death records. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in the area. Contact old congregations to ask about their records. Some have donated old books to the Alabama Department of Archives.

Cemetery Records

Tombstones may be the only record of a birth or death date. Escambia County has many old cemeteries. Find A Grave and BillionGraves have photos from many of them. The Escambia County Historical Society has also documented local burial sites.

Military Records

Military records can prove where a person lived and when. Confederate service records and pension files are at the Alabama Department of Archives. Union records are at the National Archives. World War I draft cards list home addresses and are free to search online.

Newspaper Archives

Old newspapers printed birth, marriage, and death notices. They also ran legal notices for estates and land sales. The Brewton Standard has been the local paper for over 100 years. Check the Alabama Digital Archives for digitized issues. Some years are available in full text search, which makes finding names much easier.

Getting Research Help

If you hit a wall in your research, local groups and paid helpers can assist. The Escambia County Historical Society is a good starting point. Members know local families and may have tips to share. They hold meetings and publish newsletters with research leads.

The Alabama Genealogical Society connects researchers across the state. They keep a list of professional genealogists who work in Alabama. Some specialize in south Alabama counties like Escambia. Hiring a pro can save time when records are hard to find.

Online forums are another way to get help. RootsWeb and GenForum have boards for Escambia County. Post a question about your family and see if anyone responds. Other researchers may have already found the records you seek or know where to look.

The staff at the Alabama Department of Archives and History answer research questions by mail and email. Send them a specific question and they will search their holdings. This free service can turn up leads you would not find on your own.

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County has several small towns and cities. None have populations over 50,000. All use the Escambia County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The main population centers are Brewton and Atmore.

Cities and towns in Escambia County include Brewton, Atmore, East Brewton, Flomaton, and Pollard. Atmore is the largest city by population and is home to the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation. All residents file county records at the offices in Brewton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Escambia County. If your family lived near a 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. Escambia County also borders Florida, so check Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in Florida if needed.