Search Tallapoosa County Genealogy Records

Tallapoosa County genealogy records go back to 1832 when the county was formed from Creek lands. The probate court in Dadeville holds marriage records, estate files, and land deeds for family history research.

What Genealogy Records Are Available

Tallapoosa County has a solid range of records for family history research. The probate court holds marriage records dating back to the 1830s. Birth and death records at the state level start in 1908, but the county has some older vital records on file. Land deeds and property records can help you trace where your family lived and worked.

Types of genealogy records you can find here:

• 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
• Military discharge records

For births and deaths before 1908, you will need to dig deeper. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles often hold the only proof of these events from that era. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has some early Tallapoosa County records in their collection. Census records from 1840 through 1940 also help fill in gaps when local records are missing.

Estate and probate files can reveal a lot about your family. When someone died, the court often made a list of their property. These inventories name heirs, describe land, and list personal items. Some files include letters from family members who lived far away. These documents paint a picture of daily life in the 1800s.

Tallapoosa County Probate Court

The Tallapoosa County Probate Court is your main stop for local genealogy research. This office keeps marriage records, will files, and estate records going back to the early days of the county. The probate judge also handles adoptions, guardianships, and mental health matters. In Alabama, the probate judge serves as the head of county government too.

The courthouse sits on the town square in Dadeville. Staff there can help you search the old record books and index files. Some records are stored in the basement vault. Others have been moved to the state archives for preservation. The office does not have online access to records yet, so you will need to visit in person, call ahead, or send a mail request.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy without proving a family connection. This makes marriage licenses one of the easiest records to get. The court has indexes that list marriages by both the groom's name and the bride's name. Older books may only list the groom, so try both ways when searching.

When you visit, bring as much information as you can. Know the names you are searching for, plus any dates or family connections. The staff can search faster when you have specific details. If you cannot visit, send a written request by mail. Include the names, dates, and type of record you need. Add a check or money order for the search fee. The office will mail back copies if they find what you are looking for.

County Health Department Vital Records

The Tallapoosa County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. Through the ViSION network, they can access any Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce record. This means 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 rules about who can get vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old have limits. Only the person named on the record, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy. After 125 years pass, birth records open up for anyone to request. Death records have a 25-year limit. After that, they become public.

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, though those take longer to process.

You can also order vital records online through VitalChek. This is the state's official online ordering partner. Go to their website or call 1-888-279-9888. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. It is a good choice when you cannot visit in person or want faster delivery.

How to Search Tallapoosa County Records

You have a few ways to search genealogy records in this county. In-person visits give you the best access. Mail requests work when you know what you need. Online tools can help with some searches. Each method has trade-offs.

Start by figuring out what you need. Do you want a birth or death record? Those come from the health department. Marriage, probate, or land records? Go to the probate court. Divorce or civil case files? Those are at the Circuit Court clerk's office. Knowing which office has your record saves time.

For online research, try these resources:

• AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com for court records
• 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 indexed many Alabama records for free. Their collection includes census records, some vital records, and church records. Create a free account to use all their tools. They add new records all the time as volunteers index more files.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a large online collection. You can view old newspapers, photos, and government documents. Some Tallapoosa County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is a good place to start when looking for older records that are not at the county courthouse.

In-Person Research Tips

Visiting Dadeville in person is the best way to do deep research. You can see original records, ask questions, and find things that do not show up in indexes. The courthouse is small and staff are used to helping researchers. Bring a notebook, pencils, and a camera if allowed.

The probate office has old record books in a vault. Some pages are fragile. Handle them with care if staff let you look through them. The indexes are your best starting point. Look up the name you want, note the book and page number, then ask to see that volume.

Dadeville does not have a big library, but the Alexander City area is nearby. The Adelia M. Russell Library in Alexander City has some local history materials. They may have old newspapers, city directories, and family files. The drive from Dadeville takes about 20 minutes.

If you have time, visit the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. The drive from Dadeville takes about an hour. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records in the state. Staff can help you find records that are not available anywhere else. Plan to spend at least half a day there.

Lake Martin and Lost Communities

Lake Martin covers a big part of Tallapoosa County now. The dam was built in the 1920s, and the lake filled in by 1926. This flooded several old communities. If your family lived in the area before the lake formed, you may find them in records from towns that no longer exist.

Some communities that went under the lake include Kowaliga, Cherokee, and parts of other settlements. Families had to move. Some stayed in the area. Others left the county. Church records, cemetery relocations, and property sales from the 1920s can help trace what happened to your family during this time.

Cemeteries were moved before the lake filled. Many graves were relocated to higher ground. Some small family plots may have been missed. The Lake Martin Regional Medical Center and local historical societies have some records of cemetery relocations. These can help you find where ancestors are buried now.

The land records at the probate court show property sales from this period. Alabama Power bought up land for the lake. Deeds from the 1920s may show your family selling their farm. These records give the exact location and sometimes describe the buildings and crops on the land.

Creek Indian Heritage

Tallapoosa County was Creek Indian land until 1832. The Treaty of Cusseta forced the Creek people to give up their lands. Some stayed and received individual land allotments. Others moved west on the Trail of Tears. If you have Creek ancestry, your research may need to include federal records.

The Dawes Rolls and earlier Creek census records list tribal members. These are federal records held at the National Archives. Some are available online through Ancestry and FamilySearch. The rolls list names, ages, and family relationships. They can help connect your family to specific Creek communities.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is in Tallapoosa County. This was the site of a major battle in 1814 between Creek warriors and Andrew Jackson's forces. The battle ended the Creek War and opened the region to white settlement. If your ancestors were early settlers, they came after this event.

Mixed-race families were common in this area. Some Creek people married white settlers or African Americans. These families may appear in both tribal and county records. Church records sometimes note racial or ethnic background. Land records may mention whether the owner was Creek or received land through a treaty allotment.

Circuit Court Records

The Tallapoosa County Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases. For genealogy, the most useful records are divorce files, civil lawsuits, and criminal cases. These records can reveal family disputes, property fights, and other events that shaped your ancestors' lives.

Divorce records show both names, the date of the case, and the grounds for divorce. The full case file has more detail than the final decree. You may find testimony, property lists, and child custody arrangements. These documents tell stories you will not find anywhere else.

The 5th Judicial Circuit covers Tallapoosa County along with several neighboring counties. Court records are kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Dadeville. Older case files may be stored off-site or at the state archives. Call ahead if you need records from the 1800s or early 1900s.

Record Fees

Record fees in Tallapoosa 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 vary by record type:

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

VitalChek adds service and shipping fees on top of state rates. The total depends on how fast you need the record. Standard delivery costs less than rush orders. Phone orders may have a small extra charge.

The Circuit Court clerk sets fees for court records. Most copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to check the exact fees for what you need.

Cities and Towns in Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County has several small towns and communities. None have a population over 50,000, so all genealogy records are handled at the county level. The main towns are Dadeville, Alexander City, Camp Hill, and Tallassee. Each has its own post office history and local records that may help your research.

Alexander City is the largest town in the county. It grew around the textile mills that once operated there. Camp Hill and New Site are small farming communities. Tallassee straddles the county line with Elmore County, so check both counties if your family lived there. Dadeville is the county seat and holds most of the official records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tallapoosa County. Family members often moved across county lines. Check neighboring county records if you cannot find someone in Tallapoosa. Boundary lines also changed over time, so your ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect.