Find Genealogy Records in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County genealogy records date back to 1818 when the county was formed from Cherokee and Chickasaw lands. The county seat is Florence, which sits along the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama. This region, known as the Shoals, includes parts of four counties and has a rich history tied to the river and early settlement. The Lauderdale County Probate Court holds marriage licenses, wills, and estate files. The county health department can pull birth and death records from the state system. Florence also has a strong local library with genealogy resources. Many families in this area trace roots to Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

Lauderdale County has a broad set of records for family research. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1818. These early files are some of the oldest in northwest Alabama. Land deeds and estate records from the same period are also in the county archives. The state vital records system started in 1908, so birth and death records from that year forward are in the statewide database.

Records you can search in Lauderdale County include:

• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1818 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Land and deed records
• Tax records and property rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge papers

For records before 1908, you will need to dig into local sources. Church records are often the best bet. Many early congregations kept logs of births, deaths, and marriages. Cemetery records also help fill gaps. The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library has some of these materials. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery holds additional old Lauderdale County files.

Lauderdale County Probate Court

The Lauderdale County Probate Court is the main office for marriage licenses, wills, and estate records. The court has been keeping records since 1818. These files are a core resource for anyone tracing family in the Shoals area. The probate judge also handles adoptions, guardianships, and mental health matters. The office is in the Lauderdale County Courthouse in downtown Florence.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove you are related to the people named. This makes marriage records one of the best starting points for genealogy. The court has marriage indexes from 1818 to the present day. Staff can help you search if you visit in person.

Probate records include wills, estate inventories, and guardianship files. These documents often list family members and their relationships. An estate file might name a widow, children, and other heirs. It could also list property and debts. This type of detail is hard to find elsewhere. Lauderdale County has probate files going back over 200 years.

Lauderdale County Health Department

The Lauderdale County Health Department is where you get certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Through the state ViSION network, staff can access any Alabama vital record. You do not have to visit the county where the event happened. Any county health department in Alabama can pull records from the central system.

There are rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits on access. 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 periods end, records open up for genealogy research by anyone.

The health department office is on Woodward Avenue in Florence. Walk-in service is usually same day. Bring a valid photo 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 get it. Mail requests are also an option if you cannot visit.

Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library has a genealogy and local history collection. The library holds family files, old newspapers, city directories, and local history books. Staff know the area and can point you to sources you might miss on your own. This is a key stop for anyone doing serious family research in the Shoals.

The library has resources that are not online:

• Florence newspapers on microfilm from the 1800s
• Family files with research from other genealogists
• Old city directories listing residents and jobs
• Cemetery records and grave transcriptions
• Church records from local congregations
• Maps and plats from the county's early years

The library also gives free access to Ancestry, FamilySearch, and other paid databases. You can use these sites at no cost while in the building. Staff can help you get started if genealogy research is new to you. The library is a short walk from the courthouse in downtown Florence.

Lauderdale County Circuit Court

The Lauderdale County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases, including divorce. If you need divorce records for genealogy, this is the office to contact. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Colbert and Franklin counties. The Circuit Clerk keeps case files, judgments, and other court records.

Divorce records can be useful for genealogy. They often list the names and ages of both spouses. Some files include details about children. Property settlements may name other family members. The Circuit Court has divorce records from the time the court was formed. Older files may be at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

How to Search Records

There are several ways to search genealogy records in Lauderdale County. Online searches work for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents and ask questions. Mail requests are useful when you know exactly what you need. Each method has its place depending on what you are looking for.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in Florence
• 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 charge on top of the state charge. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order. This option works well if you cannot travel to Florence.

For probate records like marriage licenses, wills, and estate files, contact the Lauderdale County Probate Court. You can visit in person or call to ask about mail requests. Staff can search the index and tell you what is available. If you find a record you want, they can make a copy for you.

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library is the best spot for deep research. Staff can help you find sources that are not online. The library has old newspapers, family files, and local history books. Plan to spend a few hours if you are doing serious work on your family tree.

Online Access Options

Lauderdale County has some online access for genealogy records. The state court system offers Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com. This site lets you search court records by name. It covers civil, criminal, and domestic cases. There is a charge to view full case details.

Other online resources for Lauderdale County genealogy:

• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
• Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
• Find A Grave cemetery records at findagrave.com
• USGenWeb Lauderdale County page

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. Some Lauderdale County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older research before you make a trip to Florence.

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Their collection grows as volunteers add new data. Create a free account to use all their tools. This site is run by the LDS Church and has a large collection of Southern records.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person is the best way to see full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is available. You may find things that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook and a valid ID when you visit.

The Lauderdale County Courthouse is in downtown Florence on South Court Street. The probate office and circuit clerk are both in this building. Go to the records room and ask for help. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. Street parking is available nearby.

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library is a short walk from the courthouse. The genealogy collection has books, microfilm, and family files that cover all of Lauderdale County. Staff are helpful and know the local sources well. The library is the best spot in the Shoals for family history research.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for older records. Their research room has one of the best collections of early Alabama files in the state. Some Lauderdale County probate records from the 1800s are stored there. The drive from Florence takes about two and a half hours on I-65.

Local Genealogy Tips

Lauderdale County sits in the Shoals region of northwest Alabama. The area takes its name from the shallow spots in the Tennessee River. Florence was a major river port in the 1800s. Many families came here to farm the rich bottomland or work in the shipping trade.

The county has strong ties to Tennessee. The state line is just a few miles north of Florence. Many early settlers came from middle Tennessee. If your family lived here in the early 1800s, check Tennessee records too. Land grants and early deeds often show where settlers came from before they moved to Alabama.

African American genealogy in Lauderdale County often involves Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. Some of these go back to the years right after the Civil War. The Rosenwald Schools in Lauderdale County also left records that may help trace families.

The Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society covers this region. They have meetings and workshops for family history researchers. Members share tips and help each other with local records. Joining a local group can speed up your search and connect you with others who know the area.

The Shoals area has a unique history. Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals all sit close together. Families often moved between these towns. When searching for records, check all four cities and their counties. Colbert County borders Lauderdale to the south, and many families had ties to both places.

Cities in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County has several cities and towns. Florence is the largest city and the county seat. All communities in the county use the Lauderdale County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama. The main offices in Florence serve the whole county.

Cities and towns in Lauderdale County include Florence, Killen, Rogersville, Lexington, Anderson, St. Florian, and Waterloo. Florence has a population of about 40,000, which makes it the largest city in the Shoals area. All of these communities use the Lauderdale County offices for genealogy records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lauderdale 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. Lauderdale County was formed in 1818 from land ceded by the Cherokee and Chickasaw nations.

Giles County and Lawrence County in Tennessee also border Lauderdale County to the north. If your family lived near the state line, you may need to check Tennessee records as well. Many early settlers moved back and forth across this border during the early 1800s.