Find Genealogy Records in Macon County
Macon County genealogy records date back to 1832 when the county was formed from Creek cession lands. The county seat is Tuskegee, a small city with deep roots in African American history and education. Tuskegee University, founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, sits at the heart of this community. The Macon County Probate Court maintains marriage licenses, will files, and estate records going back to the 1830s. Family historians will find records at the probate court, the county health department, and the university archives. This east-central Alabama county has about 18,000 residents and sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Macon County Quick Facts
What Records Are Available
Macon County keeps a wide range of genealogy records. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1833. The county also has land deeds, estate files, and court records. Most early records survived since the courthouse has not had major fires.
Types of genealogy records you can find:
- Birth records from 1908 to present
- Death records from 1908 to present
- Marriage records from 1833 to present
- Divorce records from Circuit Court
- Probate and estate files
- Land and deed records
- Tax records and voter rolls
- Court case files
- Tuskegee University archival collections
Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to locate. Alabama did not keep statewide vital records back then. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for events from that time. Some old records are held at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. The Tuskegee University Archives also has some early local records that fill in gaps, especially for African American families.
Macon County Probate Court
The Macon County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy research in this county. The court keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and some mental health matters. The probate judge heads county government in Alabama. All Macon County probate functions are in Tuskegee at the county courthouse.
Macon County has some of the oldest continuous records in east-central Alabama. The county formed in 1832, and record keeping started soon after. The probate court has marriage indexes dating back to the 1830s. These early records can be hard to read due to old handwriting, but staff can help you work through them.
The office does not have an online search portal. You must visit in person, call, or mail a request. This is common for smaller Alabama counties. The staff are helpful and know the record collections well. Give them a name and date range, and they can search the indexes for you.
| Address |
Macon County Courthouse 101 Rosa Parks Avenue Tuskegee, AL 36083 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 724-2614 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to prove a family link. This makes marriage records one of the best sources for genealogy work in Macon County. Bring a name and rough date range to speed up your search.
County Health Department
The Macon County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can access 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 pull records from the state system.
There are access rules for vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits on who can get them. 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 time periods pass, the records become open to all for genealogy use.
| Address |
Macon County Health Department 725 Cox Street Tuskegee, AL 36083 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 727-1800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
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. The office also takes mail requests for those who cannot visit.
Tuskegee University Archives
Tuskegee University Archives is a major genealogy resource for this region. The school was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington and has deep ties to the African American community in Alabama. The archives hold student records, staff files, local newspapers, and personal papers from Macon County families. Some materials date back to the 1800s.
The university archives have several useful collections:
- Tuskegee News and other local newspapers
- Student and faculty records from 1881 onward
- Church and community organization records
- Personal papers and family histories
- Photographs of Macon County people and places
- Land ownership and property records
- Records from the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
- Booker T. Washington papers
The archives are open to the public. You do not need to be a student or staff member. Researchers can access finding aids online before visiting. Some items must be viewed on site. Call ahead to make sure the materials you want are available and to set up a research appointment.
| Location |
Tuskegee University Archives Ford Motor Company Library 1200 W. Montgomery Road Tuskegee, AL 36088 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 727-8888 |
If your ancestor attended, worked at, or lived near Tuskegee University, these archives may have files on them. The school kept good records of students and employees. Yearbooks, staff directories, and campus publications are all useful sources.
How to Search Records
You have several ways to search genealogy records in Macon County. Online searches are limited here since the county does not have a digital records portal. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need. Phone calls can help you check if a record exists before you visit.
Start with free online tools. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com has some court records. FamilySearch has free indexed records for Alabama. The Alabama Department of Archives has digital collections online. These tools let you search from home and narrow down what you need before visiting in person.
For vital records, you have three options:
- Visit the county health department in person
- Mail a request 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 a fast way to get records if you cannot visit in person.
The Tuskegee Public Library has local history resources. They keep old city directories, local newspapers on microfilm, and some genealogy guides. Staff know the area and can point you to sources. It is worth a stop when doing Macon County research.
Online Access Options
Macon County has limited online access to local records. The probate court does not have a public search portal. However, state-level resources can help you find Macon County records from home.
Online resources for Macon 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
- Tuskegee University digital collections
- Freedmen's Bureau records online
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Macon County records from the 1800s and early 1900s are in their collection. This is a good starting point for older family history 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 access all their tools and save your research. They have a strong collection of African American genealogy records.
In-Person Access
Visiting in person is the best way to see full records in Macon County. 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 Macon County Probate Court is in the Tuskegee courthouse on Rosa Parks Avenue. 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 office is small but the staff know the records well.
Tuskegee University is a major resource for genealogy research. The archives in the library have materials you will not find anywhere else. Old newspapers, photographs, and family papers fill their collection. Plan to spend a few hours if you visit. Staff are helpful and know the local history well. Make an appointment before you go.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is also an option. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Macon County probate records from the 1800s are there. The drive from Tuskegee takes about 40 minutes. Staff can help you find what you need.
Local Genealogy Tips
Macon County has a unique history that affects genealogy research. The county formed in 1832 from lands taken from the Creek Nation. Early settlers came from other southern states, and some brought enslaved people with them. This mix of backgrounds means you may need to check records in Georgia, the Carolinas, and other states for family origins.
Tuskegee University shaped this county in big ways. Booker T. Washington built the school starting in 1881. Students came from all over the South. Faculty and staff settled here with their families. If your ancestor had ties to the school, the university archives are a must-visit. George Washington Carver taught here for decades, and his work drew people from around the world.
African American genealogy is a strength of this area. Macon County has strong records of the Black community going back to the 1800s. Church records, school files, and land deeds help trace families. The Freedmen's Bureau records have data on formerly enslaved people from this county. These are online at FamilySearch and the National Archives.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study from 1932 to 1972 affected many local families. Records from this study are at the National Archives and Tuskegee University. If you are researching families from this era, these files may have health and personal data.
Church records fill gaps in early vital records. Baptist and Methodist churches have long histories here. Many kept birth, marriage, and death logs before the state did. Contact local churches or check if their records have been given to Tuskegee University Archives or the Alabama Department of Archives.
Land records in Macon County can trace family movements. The probate court has deed books going back to the 1830s. These show who owned property, when they bought or sold it, and who their neighbors were. Land often passed within families, so deed records can prove relationships.
Cities in Macon County
Macon County has a few small cities and towns. All of them use the Macon County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Tuskegee office serves the whole county.
Cities in Macon County include Tuskegee (the county seat), Notasulga, Shorter, and Franklin. Tuskegee is the largest with about 8,000 people. None of these cities have separate record offices. All genealogy records go through the county offices in Tuskegee.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Macon County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders have changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect. Macon County gave up land to form parts of Lee and Bullock counties.