Search Madison County Genealogy Records

Madison County genealogy records are among the oldest in Alabama, with some files going back to 1809. The county was created on December 13, 1808, making it the first county formed in what would become Alabama. The county seat is Huntsville. The Madison County Probate Court and the Madison County Health Department are the main places to get birth, death, and marriage records. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library also has a Heritage Room with local history and family files that go back over 200 years.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

Madison County has a deep collection of records for family history research. This is the oldest county in Alabama, so records go back further here than in most of the state. The probate court has marriage records from 1809. Land deeds, wills, and estate files are also available from that era. Birth and death records from the state system start in 1908, but the county has some earlier vital records in local collections.

Types of genealogy records you can find in Madison 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
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge papers

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Alabama did not keep these records at the state level back then. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles can fill in some gaps. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Heritage Room has many of these local sources. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery also holds old Madison County files.

Madison County Probate Court

The Madison County Probate Court is a key source for genealogy work. The court keeps marriage licenses, wills, and estate records. They have files going back to 1809, which is rare in Alabama. The probate judge also handles adoptions and mental health matters. The office is in the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville.

The probate court uses a Landmark WEB system for online record searches. You can look up marriage licenses, probate cases, and deed records from home. The system is free and does not need an account. It shows index data and case numbers, but not full document images. Once you find a record, you can order a copy by mail or visit in person.

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. The court has marriage indexes from 1809 to today. Some of these early records are among the oldest in the state.

Madison County Health Department

The Madison 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.

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.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Heritage Room

The Heritage Room at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is a top spot for local genealogy. The room 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. The collection has records that go back to the early 1800s.

The Heritage Room has resources you will not find online:

• Huntsville newspapers on microfilm from the 1800s
• Family files with research done by 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 has 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 you are new to genealogy research.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Madison County. Online searches work for basic lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Each method has its place.

Start with the Landmark WEB portal for probate records. Go to the Madison County Probate Court website and click the online records link. You can search by name and date range. The system shows index data for marriages, probate cases, and deeds. It is free to use.

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 Heritage Room at the public library is the best spot for deep research. Staff can help you find sources that are not online. The room 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

Madison County has good online access for genealogy records. The Landmark WEB system covers probate, marriage, and deed records. It is free and does not need an account. Search results show basic data, and you can note the record number to order a copy later.

Other online resources for Madison 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
• Huntsville History Collection at huntsvillehistorycollection.org

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. They have old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Madison 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. They have a strong collection of early Madison County records because of the county's long history.

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 Madison County Probate Court is in the courthouse on the north side of the Huntsville square. 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. The building has parking nearby.

The Heritage Room at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is a must for local research. It sits on Monroe Street, a short drive from the courthouse. The room has books, microfilm, and family files that cover all of Madison County. Staff are helpful and know the local sources well.

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 Madison County probate records from the 1800s are stored there. The drive from Huntsville takes about two hours on I-65.

Local Genealogy Tips

Madison County is the oldest in Alabama. It was carved out of the Mississippi Territory in 1808, before Alabama was even a state. Huntsville was one of the first towns in the region. This means you can find records here that predate much of the South.

The county has strong ties to early American settlement. Many families came from Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. If your family lived here in the early 1800s, check records in those states too. Land grants from that era often show where settlers came from.

The Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society is based in Huntsville. They have meetings and workshops for family history researchers. Members share tips and help each other with local records. Their website has guides for Madison County sources. Joining a local group can speed up your search.

African American genealogy in Madison 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.

The Huntsville area grew fast after World War II due to the space program. Many families moved here from across the country. If your family came during that era, check employment records and local newspapers. The Marshall Space Flight Center brought workers from all over. The Heritage Room has some NASA-era materials that may help.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Madison County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The main office in Huntsville serves the whole county.

Other cities and towns in Madison County include Harvest, Meridianville, Hazel Green, New Hope, and Owens Cross Roads. All of these use the Madison County offices for genealogy records. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama, so all requests go through the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison 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. Madison County was once much larger and split off parts to form other counties.

Lincoln County, Tennessee also borders Madison 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.