Search Pickens County Genealogy Records

Pickens County genealogy records present a unique challenge for family history researchers. The county lost nearly all of its early records to three separate courthouse fires in 1864, 1865, and 1876. These fires destroyed marriage records, probate files, deed books, and court documents from the county's founding in 1820 through the 1870s. Researchers tracing ancestors in Pickens County before 1876 must rely on alternative sources like census records, church documents, cemetery logs, and state archives. The current courthouse in Carrollton holds records from the late 1870s forward. The Pickens County Probate Court and the county health department serve as the main sources for genealogy research today.

The Courthouse Fires and Lost Records

Pickens County suffered devastating losses to its historical records. Three fires at the courthouse destroyed decades of irreplaceable documents. Understanding what was lost helps researchers know where to look for alternative sources.

The first fire occurred in 1864 during the Civil War. Union troops moved through the area and the courthouse burned. This fire destroyed records from 1820 through 1864. The second fire came in 1865, just as the county was trying to rebuild. This one took what little had been recovered or recreated. The third and final fire struck in 1876, wiping out any records that had accumulated in the decade after the war.

Records destroyed in these fires included:

• Marriage licenses and bonds from 1820 to 1876
• Wills and probate records from 1820 to 1876
• Land deeds and property transfers
• Tax lists and voter rolls
• Court case files and judgments
• Orphan court records
• Estate inventories and administrations

These losses make Pickens County one of the most difficult Alabama counties for pre-1876 genealogy research. But records do exist elsewhere. The state kept copies of some land grants. The federal census recorded who lived in the county every ten years. Churches maintained their own records of baptisms, marriages, and burials. Military records survive at the National Archives. With patience and creativity, you can still piece together family histories from this era.

Pickens County Probate Court

The Pickens County Probate Court in Carrollton is the primary source for genealogy records. The court maintains marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and land records. All surviving records date from 1876 forward due to the fires.

The probate court handles marriage licenses for the entire county. Couples must apply here to wed. The court keeps the original license and issues certified copies upon request. Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family connection.

Wills and estate records are also held at the probate court. When someone dies, their estate goes through probate if they owned property. The court files include wills, inventories, sale bills, and final distributions. These records often list family members and show relationships. They are vital for genealogy research.

The courthouse in Carrollton is known for the "Face in the Window." This is a famous local legend about a face that appears in a window pane. While it draws visitors, the courthouse is also where serious genealogy work happens. Staff in the probate office can help you search records and find what you need.

Pickens County Health Department

The Pickens County Health Department issues vital records. Through the Alabama ViSION system, staff can access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from anywhere in the state. You do not need to go to the county where the event happened. Any county health office can pull records from the central database.

Birth records from 1908 to present are on file. Death records also start in 1908. Before that year, Alabama did not require vital records registration. For births and deaths before 1908, you must look to other sources like church records, cemetery lists, or family bibles.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth certificates less than 125 years old have restrictions. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death records less than 25 years old have similar limits. After these time periods, the records become open to anyone for genealogy research.

Walk-in service is usually same day. Bring a valid photo ID and the details of the record you need. Staff will search the database and print your document while you wait. If you are not the person on the record, bring proof of your relationship or legal right to access it.

Alternative Sources for Pre-1876 Research

Since courthouse records before 1876 were destroyed, you must use other sources. Many records about Pickens County residents survive in state, federal, and private collections. Here is where to look.

Federal census records are essential. The U.S. Census counted everyone in Pickens County in 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1870. The 1850 and later censuses list each person by name. Earlier counts list only heads of household with tick marks for others. Census records are free at FamilySearch and available with a subscription at Ancestry.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery holds many Pickens County records. Some records were copied or filed at the state level before the fires. Their collection includes:

• Land grant records from the federal government
• Military service records from Alabama units
• Some early tax records that were copied
• Newspapers from Pickens County
• Photographs and family papers donated over the years

Church records are gold for Pickens County research. Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches kept records of members. These include baptisms, marriages, deaths, and disciplinary actions. Many churches still have their old record books. The Alabama Baptist Historical Society holds records from Baptist churches. Contact local churches directly to ask about their records.

Cemetery records fill gaps in vital records. Gravestones give birth and death dates. Sexton records sometimes note family relationships. The Pickens County Historical Society has compiled cemetery transcriptions. Find A Grave and BillionGraves have user-submitted photos and data from local cemeteries.

How to Search Records

Searching Pickens County genealogy records requires a plan. Start by deciding what time period you need. For records after 1876, the probate court and health department are your main sources. For earlier records, use census, church, and state archives.

Online searches work well for an overview. FamilySearch has indexed Alabama census records, some vital records, and church records. It is free to use. Create an account to save your finds. Ancestry has more Alabama records but requires a paid subscription. Many libraries offer free Ancestry access.

The Alabama Department of Archives has an online catalog. Search it to see what Pickens County records they hold. Some items are digitized and viewable online. Others require a visit to their research room in Montgomery. Staff can answer questions by email or phone.

For court records after 1876, call or visit the probate court. The staff can search their indexes and tell you what exists. You can request copies by mail if you cannot visit. Include as much detail as possible about the person and dates you need.

For vital records, use VitalChek for online orders. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. They partner with Alabama to process online requests. There is a service fee on top of the state fee. This is the fastest way to get records without traveling to the county.

Pickens County Circuit Court

The Pickens County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. It is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Lamar and Fayette counties. The circuit court has divorce records, civil lawsuits, and criminal case files.

Divorce records are often useful for genealogy. They can show maiden names, ages, and sometimes children's names. Alabama divorce records from the circuit court are separate from vital records at the health department. The health department has an index. The circuit court has the full case files.

You can search some court records online through Alacourt. Go to pa.alacourt.com and select Pickens County. The system shows case index data. For full documents, you must contact the court or visit in person. There is a small fee for online searches.

Online Resources

Several websites have Pickens County genealogy records. Most are free. Some require a subscription. Here are the key sites to check.

FamilySearch at familysearch.org is free. They have census records, some vital records, and church records. Their Alabama collection grows as volunteers add more data. Create a free account to use all features.

The Alabama Department of Archives has digitized newspapers and records. Go to digital.archives.alabama.gov to browse their collection. Search for Pickens County to see what is available. Old newspapers often have birth, marriage, and death notices.

Ancestry at ancestry.com has the largest collection of Alabama records. It requires a subscription. Many public libraries offer free access. Check with the Pickens County Public Library or the University of West Alabama library in nearby Livingston.

Find A Grave at findagrave.com has cemetery records. Volunteers photograph gravestones and upload the data. Search for Pickens County Alabama to find local cemeteries. The site is free to use.

USGenWeb has volunteer-run pages for each county. The Pickens County page at algenweb.net/pickens has transcribed records, lookups, and queries. It is free and maintained by genealogy volunteers.

In-Person Research

Visiting Pickens County in person lets you access records that are not online. Staff can help you search and suggest sources. Plan your trip for a weekday when offices are open.

The Pickens County Courthouse is in the center of Carrollton. Both the probate court and circuit clerk are in the building. Arrive early in the day for the best service. Bring a notebook, pencil, and your research notes. Staff can pull files and let you view them in the office.

The Pickens County Public Library has a small local history collection. They may have books and files not found elsewhere. The library can also provide free access to Ancestry and other databases. Call ahead to confirm their hours and what is available.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is about two hours from Carrollton. Their research room is open to the public. They hold state copies of some Pickens County records. This is the best place for pre-1876 research. Plan to spend a full day there.

The Gorgas House at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, about an hour away, has some historical records. The university library also has Alabama history materials. Tuscaloosa is a good side trip if you are doing research in the area.

Local Research Tips

Pickens County research takes patience. The lost records mean you must dig deeper than in other counties. Here are tips from experienced researchers.

Start with what you know and work backward. Document each generation with sources before moving to the next. For the period before 1876, rely heavily on census records. The 1850 through 1870 censuses list everyone by name with ages and birthplaces.

Check neighboring counties. Fayette, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, and Greene counties border Pickens. Some records may have ended up there, especially if families moved back and forth. County lines also changed over time.

Look for published family histories. Local genealogists have spent decades researching Pickens County families. The Alabama Genealogical Society has published works that may include your family. The Family History Library catalog at FamilySearch lists books about Pickens County.

Join genealogy societies for help. The Pickens County Historical Society works on local history. The Alabama Genealogical Society covers the whole state. Both groups have members who specialize in Pickens County research. They can answer questions and suggest sources.

Military records often survive when local records do not. Confederate service records, pension applications, and muster rolls are at the National Archives. The Alabama Department of Archives has state copies of many Confederate records. These can prove family relationships and provide biographical details.

Cities and Towns in Pickens County

Pickens County has several small towns. None have populations over 50,000. All residents use the Pickens County Probate Court in Carrollton for marriage licenses and the county health department for vital records.

Towns in Pickens County include Carrollton, Reform, Gordo, Aliceville, and Ethelsville. Carrollton is the county seat and the largest town. Reform and Aliceville are in the southern part of the county. All genealogy records are centralized at the county level in Carrollton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pickens County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. Early settlers often moved between counties. Land grants sometimes crossed what later became county lines.