Search Etowah County Genealogy Records

Etowah County genealogy records offer a window into northeast Alabama family history dating back to 1866 when the county was formed from parts of Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshall, and St. Clair counties. The county seat is Gadsden, located along the Coosa River. The Etowah County Probate Court maintains marriage, probate, and land records, while the county health department provides access to birth and death certificates through the state ViSION network. This is part of the 16th Judicial Circuit and serves as a hub for genealogy research in the Coosa River valley region of Alabama.

What Records Are Available

Etowah County has records from 1866 to the present. The county was formed just after the Civil War ended, so records begin in that era. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1867. The county also holds land deeds, estate files, and court case records.

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
• Military discharge records

Birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Alabama did not require statewide vital records until that year. For earlier births and deaths, you may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles. Some old records are held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery.

The county formed from six other counties, so ancestors who lived in this area before 1866 may have records in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshall, or St. Clair counties. Check those places if you cannot find what you need in Etowah County files.

Etowah County Probate Court

The Etowah County Probate Court is the main source for marriage, probate, and land records. The court has kept records since 1867. Today it handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, adoptions, and mental health matters. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government in Alabama.

The probate court is in the Etowah County Courthouse in downtown Gadsden. Staff can help you search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. Marriage records are public and anyone can request them. You do not need to prove a family link to get a marriage record copy.

The court keeps several types of records that help with genealogy work. Marriage licenses show the names of both parties, the date, and often the ages and residences. Will files list heirs and property. Estate records show family ties and asset lists. Land deeds track property sales and sometimes reveal family names.

The probate court has indexes to help you find records. Ask staff for the marriage index, will index, or deed index. They can point you to the right books or files. Some older indexes are handwritten. Newer ones may be on computer. Staff know the system and can guide your search.

County Health Department

The Etowah County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. They connect to the Alabama ViSION network. This means they can pull any birth, death, marriage, or divorce record from across the state. You do not have to visit the county where the event took place.

Access rules apply to vital records in Alabama. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits. Only the person named, a parent, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have some limits too. After these time frames pass, the records open up for general genealogy use.

The health department has a vital records office that handles requests. 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. If you are not the person named on the record, bring proof of your right to access it.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter with the person's name, date of birth or death, and your contact info. Include a copy of your ID and a check or money order. The office will search and mail you the record. This takes longer than a walk-in visit but works for people who cannot travel.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Etowah County. In-person visits give you the most access. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Online tools help with some record types.

Start by deciding what type of record you need. Marriage records are at the probate court. Birth and death records are at the health department. Court cases are at the Circuit Clerk's office. Land deeds are at the probate court. Knowing where to go saves time.

For probate court records, visit the courthouse in Gadsden. Ask staff for help with indexes. Tell them the name and time period you are looking for. They will show you how to use the index books. Once you find a record, staff can pull the file for you to view.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request with payment and ID copy
• 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 to place an order. This is fast if you cannot visit in person.

AlacourtAccess lets you search court records online. This includes civil and criminal cases from the Circuit Court. Go to pa.alacourt.com to search. There is a small fee for access. The system shows case details but not always full documents.

Online Access Options

Etowah County has some online access for genealogy research. The county does not have a full online records portal like some larger counties do. But you can still find records through state and national databases.

Online resources for Etowah 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
• FindAGrave cemetery records at findagrave.com

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digitized many old records. Their digital collection is free and searchable online. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Etowah County records from the late 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection.

FamilySearch has free Alabama records with no subscription needed. They have indexed vital records, census data, military records, and church records. Their Etowah County collection grows as volunteers add more data. Create a free account to access all their tools.

Ancestry has a large collection of Alabama records too. It requires a paid subscription, but many libraries offer free access. Check with the Gadsden Public Library about using Ancestry and other databases at no cost.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person gives you the best access to full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is on file. You may find things that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook, a valid ID, and a list of what you want to find.

The Etowah County Courthouse is in downtown Gadsden on Forrest Avenue. The probate court is on the main floor. Go to the records section and ask for help. Staff can search indexes and pull files for you to view. Take notes or order copies on the spot.

The Gadsden Public Library has local history and genealogy resources. They hold city directories, newspaper archives on microfilm, and local history books. The library also has computers with access to genealogy databases. Staff can help you find resources for Etowah County research.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for serious research. They have the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Etowah County probate records and old state documents are there. The drive from Gadsden takes about two hours. Plan to spend a full day if you go.

The Anniston Public Library in neighboring Calhoun County also has strong genealogy resources. Since Etowah County was formed partly from Calhoun County, some early records may be there. The library has local history files and can help with northeast Alabama research.

Local Genealogy Resources

Etowah County has local groups and resources that can help with family research. The Gadsden area has an active genealogy community. Connecting with local researchers can speed up your work.

The Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society serves the Gadsden area. Members share tips and help each other with research. They hold meetings and workshops. Check for local society events when you plan a research trip. Members often know about local records that are not online.

Church records are valuable in Etowah County. Many churches have kept birth, baptism, marriage, and death records for over a century. Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches are common in the area. Contact individual churches to ask about their records. Some have donated old records to the state archives.

Cemetery records fill gaps in vital records. Etowah County has many old cemeteries. Forrest Cemetery in Gadsden is one of the largest. Smaller family cemeteries are scattered through the county. FindAGrave has photos and transcriptions for many local graves. These records can tell you birth and death dates for people who died before 1908.

The Coosa River valley shaped this area. Many early settlers came here for the river and the land. Some were Cherokee before removal. Others came after the Treaty of 1835 opened the land to settlers. Understanding this history helps you trace family lines.

Local Genealogy Tips

Etowah County was named for the Cherokee word meaning "town" or the Etowah Mounds in Georgia. The county formed in 1866, right after the Civil War. This timing matters for genealogy research. Records from before 1866 are in the six parent counties.

The Coosa River was central to the area's growth. Gadsden became a river port and later an industrial center. If your ancestors worked in cotton mills, iron works, or lumber, check company records. Some of these are at the Alabama Archives.

African American genealogy in Etowah County requires looking at several sources. Freedmen's Bureau records cover the post-Civil War era. Church records from Black congregations date back many years. The Alabama Archives has many of these files. Census records from 1870 forward show formerly enslaved people by name for the first time.

Military records can help with genealogy too. Many Etowah County men served in the Civil War on both sides. World War I and World War II records are available. The probate court keeps military discharge records for veterans who filed them locally. These DD-214 forms can show birth dates and family info.

Old newspapers are a great source. The Gadsden Times and earlier papers covered local events. Obituaries, wedding notices, and legal notices name family members. The state archives and the Gadsden Public Library have old newspaper collections on microfilm.

Be ready for spelling changes. Names were often spelled by sound in old records. A name like Thompson might show up as Tomson or Tompson. Try different spellings if you do not find your ancestor right away. Also look for nicknames. William might be listed as Will, Bill, or Billy.

Cities in Etowah County

Etowah County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Etowah County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. Gadsden is the county seat and the largest city.

Cities and towns in Etowah County include Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, Glencoe, Southside, Hokes Bluff, and Sardis City. All of these use the Etowah County offices for genealogy records. Gadsden has the main county offices where most records are kept.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Etowah County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. Etowah County was formed from parts of six counties in 1866. Early records may be in those parent counties rather than in Etowah.