Search Walker County Genealogy Records
Walker County genealogy records present a unique challenge for family history researchers. The county was formed in 1823 from parts of Tuscaloosa County, with the county seat in Jasper. A devastating courthouse fire in 1877 destroyed all records kept at that time. This means marriage licenses, probate files, land deeds, and court records from the county's first 54 years are gone forever. Researchers must turn to alternative sources like church records, federal census data, and newspaper archives to fill in the gaps. The Walker County Probate Court now holds records from 1878 forward.
Walker County Quick Facts
The 1877 Courthouse Fire
The 1877 fire is the most important fact for Walker County genealogy research. Every record stored at the courthouse was lost. Marriage licenses, deeds, wills, estate files, and court cases from 1823 to 1877 all burned. This 54-year gap creates a major hole in the county's paper trail.
The fire was not rare for Alabama. More than 40% of Alabama counties lost records to fires during the 1800s. But Walker County is one of the worst cases. The loss was total. Not a single pre-1877 county record survived.
This does not mean your research is hopeless. Many people had family in Walker County before the fire. You just need to look in other places. Federal census records, church rolls, and old newspapers can fill in some blanks. The Alabama Department of Archives and History holds copies of some federal records that mention Walker County families.
If you find a Walker County ancestor in the 1850, 1860, or 1870 federal census, you have proof they lived there. But you will not find the deed that shows what land they owned. You will not find the will that passed down property. You must piece together the story from other clues.
What Records Exist Today
The Walker County Probate Court holds records from 1878 to the present. This is the starting point for any local search. After the fire, the county began keeping new records. These have survived to this day.
Types of records you can find at the probate court:
- Marriage records from 1878 to present
- Probate and estate files from 1878 to present
- Land deeds and property records from 1878 to present
- Wills and administrations from 1878 to present
- Guardianship records
- Adoption files (sealed by law)
The state started keeping vital records in 1908. Birth and death records from that year forward are in the state system. You can get these from the Walker County Health Department or any Alabama county office through the ViSION network. Before 1908, birth and death records were not kept by the state or county in most cases.
Divorce records are at the Circuit Court. Walker County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The circuit clerk keeps case files for all divorces filed in the county. State divorce records start in 1950.
Alternative Research Sources
When county records are gone, you must dig deeper. Walker County researchers have several good options. These sources can help fill the gap left by the 1877 fire.
Federal Census Records
Federal census records are the backbone of pre-1877 research. The census was taken every ten years. Walker County appears in the 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1870 census rolls. The 1850 and later census records list each person by name. Earlier census records only name the head of household.
These records show who lived in Walker County and when. They list ages, birthplaces, and jobs. The 1850 census was the first to show birthplace by state. This helps you trace where a family came from before they moved to Alabama. Census records are free at FamilySearch.org and at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Church Records
Church records are vital when civil records are missing. Many Walker County churches kept their own books. These might include baptism dates, marriage notes, death records, and membership lists. Baptist and Methodist churches were common in the area.
Some church records have been copied and indexed. The Alabama Department of Archives has a collection of church record transcripts. Local libraries may have more. If you know which church your family attended, contact that congregation directly. Some old church record books are still held by active churches today.
Newspaper Archives
Old newspapers often printed birth, marriage, and death notices. They also ran legal notices, land sales, and estate settlements. The Mountain Eagle, based in Jasper, is the main local paper. It started in 1890, so it does not cover the pre-fire period. But earlier newspapers from the region may mention Walker County families.
The Alabama Department of Archives has digitized many old newspapers. Search their collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov. Chronicling America at the Library of Congress also has free access to historical papers from Alabama.
Military Records
Military records can prove where a person lived. Many Walker County men served in the Civil War. Service records, pension files, and veterans rolls list names and home counties. Confederate records are at the Alabama Department of Archives. Union records are at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Pension applications often include family details. A widow applying for a pension might list her marriage date, children, and the soldier's birth and death dates. These details can stand in for lost civil records.
Walker County Probate Court
The probate court is your main local resource. The office is in the Walker County Courthouse in Jasper. Staff can help you search records and order copies. They are familiar with the 1877 fire and know what is available.
| Address |
Walker County Courthouse 1801 3rd Avenue Jasper, AL 35501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 384-7268 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family tie. This makes marriage records one of the best genealogy sources from 1878 forward. The court has indexes that help you find what you need.
Probate files contain wills, estate inventories, and heir lists. These records show how property passed from one generation to the next. They often name all children and can prove family links. Estate files are a rich source for genealogy work.
Walker County Health Department
The Walker 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 need to visit the county where the event took place.
| Address |
Walker County Health Department 705 20th Avenue Jasper, AL 35501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 221-9775 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Birth records less than 125 years old have access 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 pass, the records become open to all.
State vital records start in 1908. For Walker County, this means births and deaths from 1908 to today are in the state system. Earlier vital events were not recorded by state or county officials. You must use church records, cemetery logs, or family bibles for older births and deaths.
Online Research Resources
Several websites help with Walker County genealogy. Free and paid options exist. Start with the free sources before paying for subscriptions.
- FamilySearch has free census, church, and vital records
- Alabama Digital Archives has newspapers and government files
- AlacourtAccess lets you search court records online
- Ancestry has indexed records with a subscription
- Find A Grave has cemetery photos and burial info
FamilySearch is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is free to use. They have indexed millions of records from Alabama. Census records, some church records, and state vital records are all there. Create a free account to access everything.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a digital collection online. Their site has old newspapers, photos, maps, and government records. Some Walker County records may be in collections from other agencies that kept copies.
AlacourtAccess covers court records from all 67 Alabama counties. You can search by name or case number. This is the best way to find divorce records, civil suits, and criminal cases from Walker County.
Cemetery Records
Cemetery records can fill in gaps when county records are missing. A tombstone may be the only record of a birth or death date. Walker County has many old cemeteries. Some date back to before the 1877 fire.
Find A Grave and BillionGraves are two websites with cemetery data. Volunteers photograph tombstones and upload the info. Search these sites by name to find burial locations and dates. Many Walker County cemeteries have been documented this way.
The Walker County Genealogical Society has compiled cemetery records. Their work includes transcripts from family plots, church graveyards, and public cemeteries. This data helps when tombstones are too worn to read or have been lost over time.
Some cemeteries keep their own burial records. Contact the cemetery office to ask about their files. Older cemeteries may have handwritten logs with dates and grave locations. These records sometimes include notes about family ties.
In-Person Research Tips
A visit to Jasper can help your research. Staff at the probate court can guide you to records that are not online. You can view original documents and take notes. Bring a notebook, ID, and any information you already have about your family.
The Carl Elliott Regional Library in Jasper has a local history section. They hold books, maps, and files on Walker County families. Library staff may know about resources you would not find on your own. The library also offers free internet access for online research.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip. Their research room has the best collection of old Alabama records in the state. Staff can help you find census records, military files, and land grants. The drive from Jasper takes about two hours.
The Birmingham Public Library has a Southern History Department. This is closer than Montgomery, about an hour from Jasper. They have old newspapers on microfilm and a strong genealogy book collection. Staff there know Alabama records well.
Getting Research Help
The Walker County Genealogical Society is a local group that helps researchers. Members share tips and knowledge about local families. They meet in Jasper and welcome visitors. Joining a local group can speed up your search.
If you hit a wall, consider hiring a professional. Genealogists who know Alabama records can find sources you might miss. The Alabama Genealogical Society keeps a list of researchers. Some specialize in counties with record loss like Walker.
Online forums are another option. Sites like RootsWeb and GenForum have boards for Walker County. Post a question about your family and see if anyone has info to share. Other researchers may have already found the records you need.
Cities in Walker County
Walker County has several towns and cities. None have populations over 50,000. All use the Walker County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. Jasper is the county seat and the largest city.
Cities and towns in Walker County include Jasper, Oakman, Carbon Hill, Cordova, Sumiton, Parrish, and Dora. Residents of all these places file records at the county offices in Jasper.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Walker County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. Some families moved between counties over time. An ancestor may appear in a different county than you expect.