Search Morgan County Genealogy Records

Morgan County genealogy records date back to 1818 when the county was carved from Cherokee and Lawrence counties. The county seat is Decatur, a city on the Tennessee River that serves as the main hub for record access. What makes this county special for family history work is the Morgan County Archives. This dedicated facility holds records from 1819 to the present day. The archives sit in a restored 1927 Art Deco bank building with a 17-ton vault door that once guarded deposits. Today that vault keeps old records safe. The Morgan County Probate Court and county health department round out the main sources for vital records in this area.

What Records Are Available

Morgan County has a solid set of genealogy records. The state began keeping birth and death records in 1908. Marriage records at the probate court go back much further, to 1818. The county also has land deeds, will files, and court records from the early days of settlement.

Types of records you can find:

• 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 rolls and voter lists
• Court case files

The Morgan County Archives holds some unique items. They have birth and death indexes from 1892 to 1912, which fills in gaps before state records began. The archives also has a divorce index from 1845 to 1971. These local records can help you find information that does not appear in state databases.

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles often serve as the best sources for that era. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery may have some early Morgan County records as well.

Morgan County Archives

The Morgan County Archives is one of the best genealogy resources in North Alabama. Not every county in the state has a dedicated archives. Morgan County created theirs to preserve local history and help family researchers. The facility is housed in a striking 1927 Art Deco building that once served as a bank.

The archives has an impressive collection. They hold original copies of The Decatur Daily newspaper from 1919 to the present. These bound volumes let you read news stories from over a century ago. If your family lived in Morgan County, there is a good chance you can find mentions of them in the paper.

Staff at the archives can help you search. They know the collection well and can point you to records you might miss on your own. The facility has reading rooms where you can review documents in person. Copies are available for a small charge.

Key holdings at the archives include birth and death indexes from 1892 to 1912. This is rare data. Most Alabama counties do not have local vital records from that period. The divorce index from 1845 to 1971 is another standout resource. Census records, maps, and photographs round out the collection.

Morgan County Probate Court

The Morgan County Probate Court handles marriage records, wills, and estate matters. The court sits in the Morgan County Courthouse in downtown Decatur. This is where you go to get marriage licenses, file wills, and search probate records.

Marriage records at the probate court date back to 1818. That is just two years after Alabama became a territory. The court has both the original licenses and indexes that make searching easier. Anyone can ask for copies of marriage records since they are public documents.

In August 2019, Alabama changed how marriages work. The state no longer requires a ceremony or an officiant. Couples now fill out a notarized marriage certificate and file it with the probate court. This is different from the old system where a judge or minister performed the wedding. For genealogy work, this means recent records look a bit different than older ones.

The probate court also keeps land records and deeds. If your family owned property in Morgan County, you can trace the ownership through these files. Land records often list names, dates, and property descriptions that add detail to your family tree.

County Health Department

The Morgan County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the state ViSION network, staff 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 the state can access records from the central system.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth records have a 125-year restriction. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy during that time. Death records have a 25-year limit. After these periods pass, records open up for general genealogy use.

Walk-in service is often same day. 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. Staff can search the state database and print your record while you wait. Mail requests also work if you cannot visit in person.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Morgan County. Online searches work for some lookups. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know what you need.

Start with the Morgan County Archives if you are doing deep research. Call ahead or email to ask about their holdings. Staff can tell you what records they have for your family name or time period. A trip to Decatur is worth it if you have roots in this area.

For vital records, you have these 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 Decatur Public Library has local history resources. The library holds old city directories, yearbooks, and some newspaper files. Staff can help you find materials about Morgan County families. Library access is free to the public.

Online Access Options

Morgan County has some online record access. The county website lists services and contact information. For detailed searches, you may need to call or visit in person.

Online resources for Morgan County genealogy:

• Morgan County Archives website at morgancounty-al.gov
• 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

FamilySearch has free records with no subscription needed. They have indexed Alabama vital records, census data, and church records. Create a free account to access all their tools. Many Morgan County records from the 1800s and early 1900s appear in their database.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digitized some Morgan County materials. Check their online collection for old newspapers, maps, and government files. This is a good starting point before you make a trip to Decatur or Montgomery.

In-Person Access

A visit to Morgan County gives you the best chance to find complete records. The archives and probate court are both in Decatur, so you can cover both in one trip.

The Morgan County Archives is the top stop for genealogy work. The staff knows the collection and can guide your search. Bring a notebook and any names, dates, or locations you already have. The more details you bring, the better the staff can help you.

The probate court is a short walk from the archives. Ask to see marriage indexes or deed books. Staff can pull files for you to review. You can take notes or order copies of what you find.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip if you hit a wall in Decatur. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Staff can help you find things that do not appear in county files. The drive from Decatur takes about two hours south on Interstate 65.

Fees for Records

Record fees in Morgan County follow state guidelines. The health department charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies in the same order cost $6 each. This covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records through the ViSION system.

Probate court fees are set by state law. Typical costs include:

• Copy of marriage license: $5.00
• Certified copy of marriage: $10.00
• Search fee: varies by request
• Deed copy: based on page count
• Probate file copy: based on page count

The Morgan County Archives charges for copies. Contact them for current rates. Most archives charge by the page, with certified copies costing more than plain copies.

VitalChek adds a service fee on top of state fees. The exact amount depends on shipping speed. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. Budget extra if you use this service.

Local Genealogy Tips

Morgan County has some unique features that affect genealogy research. The county was named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan. The area was settled early, with records dating to before Alabama statehood.

Decatur has a rich railroad history. The city was a key rail junction in the 1800s. Many families came to work on the trains or in related trades. If your family was in Decatur, check railroad employment records and union files for more information.

The Tennessee River runs through the county. Steamboat traffic was big business before the railroads took over. River workers and merchants left records in shipping logs and business files. Some of these are at the archives.

The Civil War hit Morgan County hard. Union and Confederate forces both passed through the area. Decatur was burned during the war and rebuilt after. Some records from that period were lost. Church records and cemetery files can help fill gaps from the 1860s.

African American genealogy in Morgan County often requires checking multiple sources. Freedmen's Bureau records from 1865 to 1872 can provide important details about formerly enslaved people. Church records from Black congregations are another key source. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files.

Cities in Morgan County

Morgan County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Morgan County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The courthouse in Decatur serves the entire county.

Other towns in Morgan County include Hartselle, Priceville, Somerville, Trinity, and Falkville. All of these use the Morgan County offices for genealogy records. Hartselle is the second largest town and has its own public library with local history materials.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Morgan 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.