Find Genealogy Records in Russell County

Russell County genealogy records span from 1833 when the county was first formed from Creek Indian lands. The county seat is Phenix City, which sits on the Chattahoochee River across from Columbus, Georgia. This location makes the area unique for genealogy work since many families had ties to both states. The Russell County Probate Court maintains marriage licenses, wills, and estate files going back to the early days of the county. Birth and death records through the state system start in 1908. Family researchers will find good resources at the probate court, the county health department, and several local libraries and archives. The county has about 59,000 residents and is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit.

What Records Are Available

Russell County has a strong set of genealogy records. The county was one of the first formed after the Creek Indians ceded their lands in 1832. Records start soon after that date. Most early records survived since the courthouse did not burn down like many others in Alabama.

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
• Confederate military records

Older birth and death records before 1908 are harder to find. Alabama did not keep state vital records back then. You may need to check church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for events from that era. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some early Russell County records. Local churches, especially Baptist and Methodist ones, kept their own records that can fill gaps in the official files.

Russell County Probate Court

The Russell County Probate Court is your main stop for genealogy research. This office keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records. They also handle adoptions and some mental health cases. The probate judge leads county government in Alabama, so this office does many things beyond record keeping.

Russell County has records going back to 1833. That is nearly 200 years of family history. The early records cover a time when this area was on the frontier. Many settlers came here after the Creek War ended. Land records from that period show who got the first grants and how property changed hands over the years.

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 Russell County. Bring a name and rough date range to speed up your search. Staff can help you look through the old index books.

The probate office can be busy. Call ahead if you plan to do a lot of research. Staff will tell you the best times to come in. They can also let you know what records they have for the years you need. This saves time and helps you plan your visit.

County Health Department

The Russell 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.

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. Mail requests work too for those who cannot visit in person.

The Georgia Connection

Russell County sits right on the Georgia state line. The Chattahoochee River forms the border. Columbus, Georgia is just across the bridge from Phenix City. This fact matters a lot for genealogy research. Many families lived on both sides of the river over the years.

If you are tracing a Russell County family, check Georgia records too. People often married, died, or had children in Columbus even if they lived in Alabama. Muscogee County, Georgia keeps the Columbus records. The Georgia Archives in Atlanta has older records as well. Columbus had a bigger population and more services in the old days, so many Russell County residents used its churches, doctors, and courts.

The Columbus Public Library has a good genealogy section. They have local newspapers, city directories, and family files. Since the two cities are so close, their collection covers both sides of the river. It is worth a trip if you are doing serious research on Russell County families.

Some families moved back and forth many times. You might find a birth in Georgia, a marriage in Alabama, and a death back in Georgia. Keep an open mind about where records might be. The state line was less important to daily life than it seems on a map.

How to Search Records

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

Start with online tools. AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com has court records for Russell County. FamilySearch has free indexed records. Ancestry has Alabama records if you have a subscription. 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 Phenix City-Russell County Library has local history resources. They keep old city directories, newspapers on microfilm, and some genealogy guides. Staff know the area and can point you to sources. It is worth a stop when doing Russell County research.

Online Access Options

Russell County has growing online access to records. The state court system has records through AlacourtAccess. Several free sites have Russell County materials as well. The Georgia side also has online tools that may help with cross-border research.

Online resources for Russell 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
• Russell County GIS for property maps
• Georgia Archives digital collections for cross-border research

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has free digital records. These include old newspapers, photos, and government files. Many Russell 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.

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 Russell County Probate Court is in the Phenix City courthouse. 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 easy to find once you get to the courthouse.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is also a good option. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records. Some Russell County probate records from the 1800s are there. The drive from Phenix City takes about an hour and a half. Staff can help you find what you need.

Do not forget Columbus, Georgia. The local library and the Muscogee County archives have records that touch on Russell County families. Since many people lived on both sides of the river, you may find key documents there. It is just a short drive across the bridge.

Local Genealogy Tips

Russell County has a unique history that affects genealogy research. The county formed in 1833 right after the Creek Indians gave up their lands. Early settlers rushed in to claim property. Land records from that time are very important for tracing the first families here.

The Civil War hit this area hard. Fort Mitchell was a key army post nearby. Many local men served in Confederate units. Military records at the National Archives and the Alabama Archives can help you find ancestors who fought. Pension records are also useful since they often name widows and children.

African American genealogy in Russell County often involves checking Freedmen's Bureau records. The Alabama Department of Archives has many of these files. After the Civil War, the bureau helped formerly enslaved people. Their records list names, family ties, and sometimes the names of former owners. This can help you trace family lines back before emancipation.

Church records fill gaps in early vital records. Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian 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 donated to archives. Some Russell County church records are at the Alabama Department of Archives.

Phenix City had a wild past. In the 1940s and 1950s, the town was known for crime and corruption. The Alabama National Guard even took over in 1954 after a reformer was murdered. This era left a lot of newspaper coverage and court records. If your family was in Phenix City during that time, you may find their names in old news stories.

The Russell County Historical Society can help with local research. Members know the area and may have leads on family records. They sometimes hold workshops and cemetery walks. Check if they have any guides or publications about Russell County families.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Russell County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The Phenix City office serves the whole county.

Cities in Russell County include Phenix City (the county seat), Hurtsboro, Seale, and Fort Mitchell. None of these cities have their own genealogy offices. All records go through the county probate court or the state system. Phenix City is by far the largest town and has the most services for researchers.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Russell 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. Also remember that Georgia is just across the river.