Find Geneva County Genealogy Records

Geneva County genealogy records document the families who settled in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. The county was formed in 1868 from parts of Coffee, Dale, and Henry counties and sits on the Florida border. Most county records start in 1898, though some have been damaged by floods. The county seat is Geneva, where the probate court handles marriage licenses, wills, and estate files. The county is part of the 33rd Judicial Circuit along with Dale County. The probate office is your main source for local records, while the county health department can access state vital records through the ViSION network.

What Records Are Available

Geneva County records start in 1898 for most document types. The courthouse has marriage records, probate files, and court records from that year forward. Land records go back a bit further, to 1868 when the county was formed. Some records from 1898 to 1929 have been damaged by floods, which can make research for that time period more difficult.

Types of records you can find in Geneva County include:

• Marriage records from 1898 to present
• Probate records from 1898 to present
• Land and deed records from 1868 to present
• Court records from 1923 to present
• Military discharge records from 1890
• Birth records from 1908 (state system)
• Death records from 1908 (state system)

For the period before 1868, you need to check the parent counties. Geneva County was carved from Coffee, Dale, and Henry counties. Records for your ancestors from before 1868 may be in one of those counties depending on where they lived.

The flood damage to early records means some files are hard to read or missing pages. If you cannot find what you need at the courthouse, check FamilySearch. Volunteers have digitized many Geneva County records, and the images may be clearer than damaged originals.

Geneva County Probate Court

The Geneva County Probate Court is your main source for local genealogy records. The office is in the courthouse in downtown Geneva. Staff here handle marriage licenses, wills, estate files, land records, and more. The probate judge also runs county government in Alabama, so this is a busy office.

Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1898. These are public records in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy without having to prove a family connection. The records include the names of both parties, the date of the marriage, and often the names of witnesses or officiants. Published indexes cover Geneva County marriages from 1898 to 1930.

Probate files are gold for genealogy work. When someone dies and owns property, their estate goes through probate court. These files can include wills, inventories of belongings, lists of heirs, and final settlements. You might find the names of a spouse, children, siblings, and even in-laws in a single probate file. The court has probate records from 1898 forward.

The probate office also has military discharge records from 1890. Veterans often recorded their discharge papers at the courthouse. These records can show service dates, unit assignments, and other details useful for military genealogy. Land records at the probate court go back to 1868, the year the county was formed.

Geneva County Health Department

The Geneva County Health Department can provide certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, staff can access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from anywhere in Alabama. You do not have to go to the county where the event took place. This makes getting records much easier.

Alabama started keeping statewide vital records in 1908. For births and deaths before that year, you will need to use other sources. Church records, cemetery lists, and family bibles often have this information. The probate court may also have some early records.

Birth records less than 125 years old have access rules. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy. After 125 years, the records open to everyone. Death records have a 25-year rule. Recent deaths have some limits, but older records are public.

Walk-in service is often same day for records in the ViSION system. Bring a valid photo ID and the details of the record you want. If you are not the person on the record, you need to show proof of your right to get it. Mail requests are also accepted for those who cannot visit in person.

Geneva County Circuit Court

The Geneva County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. For genealogy, the most useful records here are divorce files. A divorce record can show both names, the date, ages, and details about children and property. These files give more information than a basic certificate from the state.

Geneva County is part of the 33rd Judicial Circuit along with Dale County. The circuit clerk keeps all court records at the courthouse in Geneva. Court records date from 1923 to the present. You can search for cases online through the Alacourt system at pa.alacourt.com.

Civil case files can also help with genealogy. Land disputes, debt cases, and other civil matters often name family members. The records might mention relationships, occupations, and property. Even if you are not looking for a specific case, browsing the indexes can turn up family names.

Records from Parent Counties

Geneva County was formed in 1868 from three other counties. If your ancestors lived in this area before 1868, you need to check the records of these parent counties:

• Coffee County (northern portion)
• Dale County (western portion)
• Henry County (eastern portion)

Henry County is sometimes called the "Mother County" of the Wiregrass region. When it was formed in 1819, it covered a vast area that was later split into many counties. If you trace families back far enough in southeast Alabama, you will likely end up in Henry County records.

Keep in mind that county lines shifted over time. An ancestor might appear in one county's census, then show up in Geneva County a few years later without ever moving. Maps of old county boundaries can help you figure out which courthouse has the records you need.

Local Genealogy Resources

The Emma Knox Kenan Public Library in Geneva has a local history collection. The library holds old newspapers, family files, and genealogy materials. One of the best resources they have is the cemetery records compiled by Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Phipps from 1962 to 1972. These transcriptions cover many Geneva County cemeteries.

The Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society in nearby Dothan is another good resource. They publish "Wiregrass Roots," a magazine with articles about local families and records. The society has members who know the Wiregrass region well and can help with research questions.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery holds state copies of some Geneva County records. Their digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov includes newspapers, photographs, and other materials. A visit to the archives is worth the trip if you are doing serious research.

Online Resources

Several websites have Geneva County genealogy records. Most are free to use. Here are the key sites to check for your research.

FamilySearch at familysearch.org has digitized many Geneva County records. They have Alabama probate records, wills, estate files, and more. The site is free. You can browse images and search indexes for Geneva County materials.

Specific Geneva County records at FamilySearch include:

• Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985
• Alabama Estate Files, 1830-1976
• Wills, 1883-1943
• Administrator's Records, 1898-1929
• Final Settlement Records, 1900-1929
• Guardian Records, 1901-1928
• Probate Minutes, 1901-1930
• Dower Records, 1906-1927

Ancestry at ancestry.com has Alabama wills and probate records that include Geneva County. A subscription is needed, but many public libraries offer free access. Check with your local library.

Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com lets you search court records online. Select Geneva County to see case index data. Full documents require a visit to the court or a fee for copies.

Find A Grave at findagrave.com has cemetery records from Geneva County. Volunteers photograph headstones and upload the data. Search for Geneva County Alabama to find local cemeteries. The site is free.

How to Search Records

Searching Geneva County records takes some planning. Start by figuring out what time period you need. For records after 1898, the courthouse is your main source. For the period from 1868 to 1898, some land records exist, but other documents are sparse. Before 1868, check the parent counties.

Online searches are a good first step. FamilySearch has indexed many records, so you can search by name. Census records are free there and can help you place your family in Geneva County at specific times. Once you find leads online, you can order copies from the courthouse or plan a visit.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the Geneva County Health Department in Hartford
• Mail a request to the health department
• Order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com

VitalChek is the state's official online partner. They charge a service fee on top of the state fee, but it is quick and easy. You can also call them at 1-888-279-9888. For in-person visits, the health department can often print your record while you wait.

For probate and marriage records, call or visit the courthouse. Staff can search indexes and tell you what they have. You can request copies by mail if you cannot visit. Include as much detail as you can about the person and the dates you need.

Research Tips for Geneva County

The flood damage to some early records means you may hit dead ends. Do not give up. The same information might exist in other places. Try these tips to work around gaps.

Check multiple sources for the same event. A marriage might appear in the probate court records, the newspaper, and church records. If the courthouse copy is damaged, one of the other sources might be clear.

Use census records to build a timeline. The 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses list everyone by name with ages and birthplaces. These can help you figure out when people were born, married, or died, even if the vital records are missing.

Cemetery records are very helpful in Geneva County. Headstones may be the only source for death dates before 1908. The Phipps transcriptions at the library cover many local cemeteries. Find A Grave and BillionGraves have more recent photos and data.

Connect with other researchers. The Southeast Alabama Genealogical and Historical Society has members working on Wiregrass families. Someone else may have already found the records you need or can share family documents you would never find otherwise.

Look at neighboring counties. Families moved back and forth across county lines. A marriage that should be in Geneva County might be in Dale or Coffee County instead. Check all the nearby areas when you cannot find a record.

Cities and Towns in Geneva County

Geneva County has several towns, but none have a population over 50,000. The county seat is Geneva, which is the largest city with about 4,400 people. All residents use the Geneva County Probate Court for marriage licenses and the county health department for vital records.

Towns in Geneva County include Geneva, Hartford, Samson, and Slocomb. Hartford is known for famous athletes like baseball pitcher Early Wynn. Samson hosts the Geneva County Fair each year. Slocomb holds an annual Tomato Festival. All genealogy records for these towns are centralized at the county level in Geneva.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Geneva County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. Early settlers moved often, and land grants sometimes crossed what later became county lines.