Find Genealogy Records in Limestone County
Limestone County genealogy records cover a rich history of North Alabama families dating back to the county's formation in 1818. The county seat is Athens, where most records are stored at the courthouse and the Limestone County Archives. Sitting near the Tennessee border, this area was settled early by pioneers moving south from Virginia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. The Limestone County Probate Court holds marriage licenses from the 1800s, while the county archives preserves local history collections, census records, and family files that help researchers trace their roots. The Limestone County Health Department can pull any Alabama vital record through the state system, making it a one-stop shop for birth and death certificates.
Limestone County Quick Facts
What Genealogy Records Are Available
Limestone County has a solid set of records for family history work. The probate court keeps marriage files from the 1800s. Land records, wills, and estate papers are also held there. Birth and death records from the state system begin in 1908. Earlier vital records are harder to find, but local sources can help fill gaps.
Types of genealogy records in Limestone County:
- Birth records from 1908 to present (state system)
- Death records from 1908 to present
- Marriage records from the 1800s 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 papers
For records before 1908, you need to look at other sources. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles often hold birth and death dates. The Limestone County Archives has many of these local records. Old newspapers on microfilm can also show obituaries and family news from that era.
Limestone County Archives
The Limestone County Archives is one of the best places for genealogy research in North Alabama. Located in Athens, the archives holds a large collection of local history materials. This is not just a storage room. Staff there can help you search for records and point you to sources you might not find on your own.
The archives collection includes many record types:
- Census records and indexes
- Family files with research from other genealogists
- Old newspapers on microfilm
- Cemetery records and grave transcriptions
- Church records from local congregations
- Maps and plats from early years
- Photos and local history books
The archives has free access to genealogy databases like Ancestry and FamilySearch. You can use these paid sites at no cost while in the building. Staff members know the local records well. They have helped many families find ancestors in this area. If you plan to visit, call ahead to confirm hours.
| Address |
Limestone County Archives 310 West Washington Street Athens, AL 35611 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 233-6404 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Limestone County Probate Court
The Limestone County Probate Court handles many genealogy records. Marriage licenses are the most common request. The court has marriage files going back to the 1800s. They also keep wills, estate records, and adoption files. The probate office is in the Limestone County Courthouse in downtown Athens.
Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link or give a reason for the request. This makes marriage records one of the best sources for family research. The court has indexes that help you find records by name.
The probate court also handles land records through the county Revenue Commission. Deeds, plats, and property transfers are kept there. These records can show where your ancestors owned land and when they bought or sold it. Land records often name family members and neighbors, which helps build a fuller picture of your family.
| Address |
Limestone County Courthouse 200 West Washington Street Athens, AL 35611 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 233-6427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | limestonecounty-al.gov/probate-judge |
Limestone County Health Department
The Limestone 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 happened. 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.
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. Mail requests are also accepted.
| Address |
Limestone County Health Department 1401 E. Forrest Street Athens, AL 35611 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 232-3200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | adph.org/limestone |
How to Search Records
You have several ways to search genealogy records in Limestone County. Online searches work for some lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its place.
Start online to get a sense of what is out there. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digital records that include Limestone County files. FamilySearch has free indexed records. Ancestry has a large collection but needs a subscription. These sites can help you plan an in-person visit.
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. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888 to place an order. This is fast if you cannot visit in person.
The Limestone County Archives is the best spot for deep research. Staff can help you find sources that are not online. The archives has old newspapers, family files, and local history books. Plan to spend a few hours if you are doing serious genealogy work.
Online Access Options
Limestone County has growing online access for genealogy records. While not everything is digital yet, several databases cover the area. Start with free resources before paying for subscriptions.
Online resources for Limestone 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 for cemetery records at findagrave.com
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Limestone County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older research.
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.
AlacourtAccess covers court records from across Alabama. You can search case information for free. Some documents cost a small fee to view. This site is helpful for divorce records and civil cases. It covers recent records, not historical files.
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.
The Limestone County Probate Court is in the courthouse on West Washington Street in Athens. Go to the probate office and ask for help. Staff can search the index and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies. The courthouse has parking nearby.
The Limestone County Archives on West Washington Street is a must for local research. It sits just down the street from the courthouse. The archives has books, microfilm, and family files that cover all of Limestone County. Staff are helpful and know the local sources well. They have guided many researchers to records they did not know existed.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for older records. Their research room has the best collection of early Alabama files. Some Limestone County probate records from the 1800s are stored there. The drive from Athens takes about two and a half hours on I-65.
Local Genealogy Tips
Limestone County sits in North Alabama along the Tennessee border. Many early settlers came from Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. If your family lived here in the early 1800s, check records in those states too. Family ties often crossed state lines.
The county was formed from Cherokee and Chickasaw lands after the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814. Early settlers arrived in large numbers by 1818 when the county was created. Many came for the rich farmland along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. Land grants from that era often show where settlers came from.
Athens is one of the oldest towns in Alabama. It was founded in 1818, the same year as the county. The town square still has buildings from the 1800s. This long history means records in Athens go back further than many other Alabama counties.
African American genealogy in Limestone County often involves checking 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. Historically Black churches in Athens have records that may help trace families.
The Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society based in nearby Huntsville covers Limestone County. 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 researching the same families.
Cemetery Records
Cemetery records are a key source for genealogy in Limestone County. Graves often show birth and death dates that are not in other records. Family plots can reveal relationships between people. Many cemeteries in the county date back to the 1800s.
FindAGrave has photos and transcriptions for many Limestone County cemeteries. Volunteers have photographed headstones and entered the data online. This free site lets you search by name and cemetery. You can often find graves from home before visiting in person.
Major cemeteries in Limestone County include Athens City Cemetery, Roselawn Cemetery, and dozens of church and family burial grounds. The Limestone County Archives has transcriptions for many of these. They also have maps showing where old cemeteries are located. Some family plots are on private land and may need permission to visit.
The Alabama Cemetery Database at the Archives in Montgomery has statewide records. This includes many Limestone County cemeteries. The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) also has grave transcriptions. Their work covers many early cemeteries that might otherwise be lost to time.
Cities in Limestone County
Limestone County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Limestone County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The main offices in Athens serve the whole county.
Cities and towns in Limestone County include Athens, Ardmore, Elkmont, and Lester. None of these have populations over 50,000, so all records are handled at the county level. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama. All requests go through the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Limestone 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. Limestone County was carved from parts of other counties when it was formed.
Giles County, Tennessee also borders Limestone 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. The Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville has records for Giles County.