Find Genealogy Records in Henry County

Henry County genealogy records stand out as some of the most complete in Alabama, with files going back to 1809 when the county was first created from land ceded by the Creek Nation. The county seat is Abbeville, a small town in southeast Alabama near the Chattahoochee River. The Henry County Probate Court holds marriage records, wills, estate files, and land deeds from those early years. This makes Henry County a prime spot for family history research in the Wiregrass region. The records here survived the Civil War and other events that destroyed files in many other Alabama counties. If your ancestors lived in southeast Alabama in the early 1800s, there is a good chance you will find them in Henry County files.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

Henry County has one of the best collections of early records in Alabama. The probate court has marriage records from 1809. This is rare. Most Alabama counties lost old files to fires, floods, or the Civil War. Henry County kept theirs. The county also has land deeds, wills, and estate files from the same era. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908, but local sources can fill in gaps for earlier years.

Types of genealogy records you can find in Henry County:

• Birth records from 1908 to present (state system)
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1809 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1809
• Land and deed records from early 1800s
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge papers

The early records are a big deal for genealogy. Many people with roots in southeast Alabama can trace their family back over 200 years using Henry County files. The county was part of the early American push into Creek territory. Settlers came from Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. If your family was part of that wave, Henry County records may hold the key to your research.

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find in the state system. Alabama did not keep these records back then. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles can help. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some old Henry County files. Local churches in Abbeville and the surrounding area may also have records from that time.

Henry County Probate Court

The Henry County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy records in the county. The court keeps marriage licenses, wills, and estate files. They have records going back to 1809, which is one of the oldest sets in the state. The probate judge also handles adoptions and some mental health matters. The office is in the Henry County Courthouse in downtown Abbeville.

The completeness of the early records is what sets Henry County apart. Many Alabama counties lost files during the Civil War or in courthouse fires. Henry County did not. The probate court has a full run of marriage records from 1809 to today. This is over 200 years of continuous data. For genealogists, this is gold.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link. The court has indexes that make it easy to search by name. Staff can help you find what you need if you visit in person. They are used to helping family history researchers.

The courthouse sits on the town square in Abbeville. Parking is easy to find. The building is old but has been kept up over the years. The records room has files and indexes that go way back. If you plan to visit, call ahead to make sure the staff you need will be there. Small county offices sometimes have limited hours or staff out sick.

Henry County Health Department

The Henry County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can pull 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 access the state system.

There are access rules for vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits. 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, records open up for genealogy use by anyone. This is good news for people searching for ancestors from the 1800s and early 1900s.

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 what you need. If you are not the person named on the record, bring proof of your right to get 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 Henry County. In-person visits work best for the oldest files. Mail requests are fine when you know what you need. Some basic lookups can be done online, though Henry County has less digital access than larger counties.

For probate records, the best option is to visit the courthouse in Abbeville. Staff can help you search indexes and pull files. The early records from 1809 and on are kept in the office. You can view them and take notes. If you need copies, staff can make them for you. This hands-on approach works well for genealogy research.

For vital records, you have three choices:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request with payment 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 travel to Abbeville. Call 1-888-279-9888 or visit their site to place an order.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some old Henry County records. Their digital collection is free to search online. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. A trip to their research room is worth it if you are doing deep genealogy work on Henry County families.

Why Henry County Records Are Special

Henry County has complete records from 1809. This fact matters a lot for genealogy. Most Alabama counties have gaps in their early files. Fires, floods, and the Civil War destroyed many records across the South. Henry County escaped these losses. The probate court has a continuous run of marriage, estate, and land records going back over two hundred years.

The county was formed from Creek lands after a treaty opened the area to white settlement. Early settlers came from Georgia and other southeastern states. They brought their families and started farms. The records they left behind tell the story of this migration. Marriage bonds, land grants, and wills show who was here and when.

For genealogists with roots in the Wiregrass region, Henry County is a key stop. Even if your family did not stay here long, they may have passed through. The records can show where they came from and where they went next. This is how you build a family tree that spans generations and states.

The complete nature of the records also helps with DNA research. If you have matched with people on a DNA site but cannot figure out the link, old Henry County records may hold the answer. Many families in southeast Alabama are related in ways that only show up in these early files.

Online Access Options

Henry County has less online access than bigger counties. This is common for rural areas. The best way to search old records is still in person. But there are some online tools that can help you get started before you visit.

Online resources for Henry 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. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. Some Henry County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is a good starting point before you travel to Abbeville.

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their volunteers have added many Henry County files over the years. Create a free account to use all their tools. The site is run by the LDS Church and is open to everyone.

Ancestry has a large collection but needs a paid subscription. Many libraries offer free access to Ancestry for visitors. Check your local library before paying for a home subscription. The dothan.org library system may have access you can use.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records. Staff can help you search and show you what is there. You may find things that are not in any index. Bring a notebook and a valid ID. Plan to spend a few hours if you are doing serious research.

The Henry County Probate Court is in the courthouse on the town square in Abbeville. It is easy to find. Go to the records room and ask for help. Staff can search the old indexes and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The early marriage and estate records are kept here.

The Henry County Public Library in Abbeville has some local history materials. They may have old newspapers on microfilm and local history books. Staff can point you to resources that may help with your research. The library is small but friendly.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is about two hours from Abbeville. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Henry County files are stored there. If you are doing deep research, plan a trip. Staff can help you find what you need.

The Dothan area, about 30 minutes away, has larger libraries with more genealogy resources. The Houston County Public Library has a good local history section. If you are staying in Dothan while researching Henry County, check what they have.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Henry County are set by state law and local policy. The health department charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy of a vital record. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through the ViSION system.

Probate court fees vary by record type. Common costs include:

• Copy of marriage license: $5.00
• Certified copy of marriage record: varies
• Search fee: depends on 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 how fast you want the record. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. If you order by phone, there may be a small extra charge. Still, this is handy if you cannot make the trip to Abbeville.

The library is free to use. You can view materials at no cost. Copy fees may apply if you want to print pages. Microfilm readers are free. This makes libraries a good option for budget-minded researchers.

Local Genealogy Tips

Henry County sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. This area got its name from the wire grass that grows wild in the sandy soil. The region was settled by farmers and ranchers after the Creek cessions opened the land. Many families in the area have been here for generations.

The county borders Georgia along the Chattahoochee River. If your family lived near the state line, check records in both states. People crossed back and forth all the time. Georgia archives may have files that connect to Henry County families.

African American genealogy in Henry County can be tricky before 1865. Slavery records are scattered. After the war, Freedmen's Bureau records can help. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Church records from Black congregations are another source. Look for churches that were founded in the years after the Civil War.

The Wiregrass Genealogical Society covers the region. They have meetings and resources for researchers. Members know the local records and can share tips. Joining a group like this can save you time and point you to sources you might miss on your own.

Henry County was larger in the past. Houston County was carved out of Henry in 1903. If your family record search comes up empty, check Houston County too. Borders changed, and files may have moved.

Cities and Towns in Henry County

Henry County is rural with small towns spread across the area. The county seat is Abbeville. Other communities include Headland, Newville, Haleburg, and Shorterville. All of these use the Henry County Probate Court for marriage and estate records. The county health department handles vital records for everyone.

None of the cities in Henry County have large populations. Abbeville has around 2,600 people. Headland has about 4,800. These are small towns where everyone knows each other. If you visit to do research, you may find locals who know about old families in the area. Word of mouth can sometimes lead to records that are not in any index.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henry County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have shifted over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect. Henry County once included land that is now part of Houston County.

Early County, Georgia and Quitman County, Georgia also border Henry County along the Chattahoochee River. If your family lived near the state line, check Georgia records too. Many families moved back and forth across this border in the 1800s.