Find Genealogy Records in Washington County

Washington County genealogy records go back further than any other county in Alabama. Land records here start in 1796, which is 23 years before Alabama became a state. This makes Washington County a gold mine for family history research in the Deep South. The county was formed in 1800 from the Mississippi Territory, making it one of the oldest counties in what would become Alabama. Chatom serves as the county seat today, though the seat moved there in 1907 from the older town of McIntosh. The Washington County Probate Court holds marriage records, wills, and estate files. The county health department handles birth and death records through the state system. Researchers looking for ancestors in southwest Alabama will find rich sources here.

What Records Are Available

Washington County has one of the deepest record collections in Alabama. The land records from 1796 are the crown jewel. These predate the county itself and cover Spanish land grants from when this area was part of Spanish West Florida. Few places in Alabama can match this level of historical depth.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Land records from 1796 to present
• Birth records from 1908 to present
• Death records from 1908 to present
• Marriage records from 1800 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files
• Tax records and voter rolls
• Court case files
• Military discharge records

The 1796 land records are rare. Most Alabama counties have records starting in the 1820s or later. Washington County's early start comes from its location in Spanish territory. Spain gave land grants to settlers before the United States took control. These old deeds show who owned land, how much they had, and sometimes where they came from.

Birth and death records follow the state pattern starting in 1908. Before that year, you will need to rely on church records, family bibles, and cemetery data. Some older records exist at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Marriage records at the probate court go back to 1800, giving you over two centuries of data.

Early Land Records from 1796

The land records from 1796 set Washington County apart from every other county in Alabama. These records predate Alabama statehood by 23 years. They predate the formation of the county itself by four years. This happened because the area was under Spanish control, and Spain issued land grants to settlers.

Spain controlled this region as part of West Florida. Settlers came from many places. Some were Americans moving west. Others came from French Louisiana or Spanish territories further south. The land grants show a mix of names and origins that reflect this diverse settlement pattern.

When the United States took control, they had to sort out who owned what. This process created detailed records. Land claims had to be proven. Surveys were made. Boundaries were marked. All of this ended up in the record books. For genealogy research, these records can place your ancestor in a specific spot at a specific time.

The early deeds often contain more than just land descriptions. They may list neighbors, family members, and witnesses. Some include notes about where the original grant came from. A few even mention the buyer or seller's place of origin. This kind of detail helps connect the dots in your family tree.

To search these old land records, you can visit the probate court in Chatom. Some have been microfilmed and are at the Alabama Archives. FamilySearch also has some Washington County land records in their free online collection. The original books are fragile, so copies may be all you can access.

Washington County Probate Court

The Washington County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy records. The court has been keeping records since 1800. Today it handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, adoptions, and mental health matters. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government.

The courthouse is in Chatom. This is actually the third county seat. The first was at McIntosh Bluff. The second was at the town of Washington. The seat moved to Chatom in 1907. Some older records may reference these earlier locations. The moves did not destroy the old records, though. They came along to each new courthouse.

Marriage records are among the most useful. They show who married whom and when. Older records may also list ages, birthplaces, and parents' names. The probate court has marriage indexes from 1800 forward. This is one of the longest unbroken marriage record sets in Alabama.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. Bring your ID and know the names and approximate date of the marriage you seek. Staff can search the index and pull the file for you.

The court also has will and estate records. When someone dies, their estate often goes through probate. This creates a paper trail that names heirs, lists property, and sometimes describes family relationships. These files can break through brick walls in your research by naming children, spouses, and in-laws.

County Health Department

The Washington County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. They connect to the Alabama ViSION network. This means they can pull any birth, death, marriage, or divorce record from across the state. You do not have to visit the county where the event happened.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old are restricted. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have some limits too. After these time frames pass, records open up for genealogy use by anyone.

For records before 1908, you will need other sources. The state did not require birth and death registration until that year. Church records, cemetery logs, and family bibles fill in gaps for earlier times. Some of these have been collected by the Alabama Archives or indexed by FamilySearch volunteers.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the database and print your record while you wait. Bring a valid ID. Know the name and date of the record you need. If you are not on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. Mail requests take longer but work fine for non-urgent needs.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Washington County. Online searches give you a starting point. In-person visits let you see full documents. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need.

Start with online databases. The Alabama Department of Archives has digitized many old records. FamilySearch has free indexes for Alabama vital records and land records. These tools help you find names and dates before you make a trip to Chatom.

Washington County is rural and small. It does not have the same online search tools that larger counties offer. You may need to call or write ahead to ask what is available. Staff at the probate court and health department can tell you how their records are organized and what can be searched remotely.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request with payment and ID copy
• 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 to place an order. This is fast if you cannot visit in person, but it costs more than going direct.

For the 1796 land records, your best bet is the probate court or the Alabama Archives. Some have been microfilmed. FamilySearch may have copies in their online collection. These old records require patience. Handwriting styles from that era can be hard to read. Names may be spelled in ways you do not expect.

Online Access Options

Washington County does not have its own online records portal. Smaller rural counties often lack the budget for such systems. But you can still find Washington County records through state and national databases. The key is knowing where to look.

Online resources for Washington 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

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digitized many old records. Their digital collection includes old newspapers, photos, maps, and government files. Some Washington County records from the 1800s are in their collection. This is free to use and a good place to start.

FamilySearch has free Alabama records with no subscription needed. They have indexed vital records, census data, military records, and land records. Their Washington County collection may include some of the early land grants. Make a free account to use all their tools and save your research.

AlacourtAccess covers court records from across the state. You can search for civil and criminal cases in Washington County. The 1st Judicial Circuit handles cases here. Some records are free to view. Others require a small fee to access full documents.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person gives you the best access to full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is on file. You may find items that do not show up in online indexes. This is especially true for old records from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

The Washington County Probate Court is in downtown Chatom on Court Street. The courthouse is a small building, typical of rural Alabama counties. Go to the records section and ask for help. Staff can search indexes and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies on the spot.

Chatom is a small town in a rural area. Plan your trip carefully. Make sure offices are open before you drive out. Gas stations and restaurants are limited. Bring what you need for the day. The drive from Mobile takes about an hour and fifteen minutes.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is another key stop. They hold state records that may include Washington County items. Some of the early land grants and Spanish documents are there. The drive from Chatom takes about three hours. Plan to spend a full day if you visit.

If you cannot make the trip, consider hiring a local researcher. Some genealogists specialize in southwest Alabama records. They know where things are kept and can search on your behalf. Check with the Alabama Genealogical Society for recommendations.

Southwest Alabama Research

Washington County sits in the southwest corner of Alabama. This region has a unique history. It was part of Spanish West Florida, then the Mississippi Territory, before becoming part of Alabama. These layers of history create both opportunities and challenges for genealogy research.

The Tombigbee River runs through the county. This river was a main highway in the early days. Settlers moved along it. Trade flowed on it. If your ancestors lived here, they likely had some connection to the river. Check for records related to river trade, boat ownership, and riverfront property.

Choctaw people lived in this area before European settlement. Some early records mention interactions between settlers and Choctaw communities. If your family has Choctaw roots, Washington County records may help. The Choctaw were removed in the 1830s, so records from before that time are most relevant.

The town of St. Stephens was once the territorial capital of Alabama. It sat on the Tombigbee River in what is now Washington County. Territorial records from that era may name ancestors who lived in the area. St. Stephens is now a historic site, but no town remains there today.

Mobile County borders Washington County to the south. Many families moved back and forth. If you hit a dead end in one county, check the other. Mobile has older records in some categories and a larger research library. The two counties share much of their early history.

Local Genealogy Tips

Washington County has some quirks that affect research. The county seat moved twice. Some records may reference McIntosh Bluff or Washington rather than Chatom. These are all the same county, just different seats over time.

The Spanish land grant names can be tricky. Spellings vary between Spanish and English records. A name might appear as "Juan" in one record and "John" in another. Keep this in mind when searching. Try different versions of names if your first search fails.

Cemetery records matter here. Washington County has many old cemeteries, some dating to the late 1700s. Tombstones can provide dates and family links not found elsewhere. The Washington County Historical Society has worked to document some of these graveyards.

Church records fill gaps before 1908. Several old churches in the county have been keeping records for generations. Contact local congregations to ask about their archives. Some records have been donated to the Alabama Archives or microfilmed by FamilySearch.

If you have Creole or mixed heritage, Washington County may hold clues. The Spanish and French presence left a diverse population. Records from this era sometimes note race or ethnicity in ways that later American records did not. These details can help trace complex family lines.

The 1st Judicial Circuit covers Washington County along with several other counties in southwest Alabama. Court records may be filed under the circuit name rather than the county. Ask courthouse staff how their records are organized if you have trouble finding a case.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County has several small towns and communities. All of them use the Washington County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. Chatom is the county seat and one of the larger towns.

Other communities in Washington County include McIntosh, Millry, Fruitdale, and Leroy. None of these towns are large. The entire county has a population of about 16,000 people spread across a rural area. All communities use the same county offices for genealogy records. No cities in Washington County meet the population threshold for their own dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than expected. Washington County also borders Mississippi to the west.