Find Winston County Genealogy Records

Winston County genealogy records offer a unique look at a region with deep ties to Union loyalty during the Civil War. The county formed in 1850 from parts of Walker County, and the county seat is Double Springs. Known as the Free State of Winston, this area had strong anti-secession views that set it apart from the rest of Alabama. The Winston County Probate Court holds marriage licenses, wills, and estate files going back to 1891. Earlier records were lost in an 1891 courthouse fire. The county health department issues vital records through the state system. Researchers will find census data, church records, and military files useful for tracing families in this northwest Alabama county.

The 1891 Courthouse Fire

The 1891 courthouse fire is a key fact for Winston County genealogy. All records kept at the courthouse were lost. Marriage licenses, deeds, wills, and court cases from 1850 to 1891 burned. This 41-year gap leaves a hole in the county's paper trail.

Fires were common in Alabama courthouses during the 1800s. More than a third of Alabama counties lost records to fires. Winston County lost all early county records in that single event. Not a single pre-1891 county record survived the blaze.

This does not mean research is impossible. Many families lived in Winston County before the fire. You just have 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 name Winston County families. Military records from the Civil War era are another good source since many Winston men served in both Union and Confederate forces.

The Free State of Winston

Winston County has a unique place in Civil War history. When Alabama voted to leave the Union in 1861, many Winston County residents refused to go along. Local legend says they held a meeting and voted to secede from Alabama since Alabama was leaving the United States. The phrase Free State of Winston comes from this history.

The truth is a bit more complex. There was a meeting at Looney's Tavern in 1861. Locals did speak out against secession. But the county never formally left Alabama. What is true is that many Winston men refused to fight for the Confederacy. Some joined Union forces. Others hid in the hills to avoid the war. This split families and left a mark on the region for years.

For genealogy, this history matters. You may find ancestors who served in Union regiments from Alabama. These men sometimes filed for federal pensions after the war. Union pension files are at the National Archives in Washington, DC. They often include family details like birth dates, marriage dates, and names of children. This can fill gaps left by the lost county records.

Some Winston County families were split by the war. Brothers might have fought on opposite sides. Neighbors turned against each other. Court records and land disputes after the war sometimes reflect these tensions. If you find post-1891 court cases in Winston County, they may shed light on family conflicts that started during the war years.

What Records Exist Today

The Winston County Probate Court holds records from 1891 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 and are available for research.

Types of records you can find at the probate court:

• Marriage records from 1891 to present
• Probate and estate files from 1891 to present
• Land deeds and property records from 1891 to present
• Wills and administrations from 1891 to present
• Guardianship records
• Adoption files (sealed by law)
• Military discharge papers filed with the county

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 Winston 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. Winston County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. The circuit clerk keeps case files for all divorces filed in the county. State divorce records start in 1950 and are in the central system.

Winston County Probate Court

The probate court is your main local resource. The office is in the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs. Staff can help you search records and order copies. They are familiar with the 1891 fire and know what records are available.

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 1891 forward. The court has indexes that help you find what you need quickly.

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. Even if your ancestor left no will, an estate file may exist if the court handled their property after death.

Winston County Health Department

The Winston 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. Any county health office can pull records from the state system.

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. For genealogy of older generations, access is usually not a problem.

State vital records start in 1908. For Winston 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.

Alternative Research Sources

When county records are gone, you must dig deeper. Winston County researchers have several good options. These sources can help fill the gap left by the 1891 fire.

Federal Census Records

Federal census records are the backbone of pre-1891 research. The census was taken every ten years. Winston County appears in the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 census rolls. The 1850 census was the first after the county formed. Each census lists names, ages, birthplaces, and jobs.

Census records show who lived in Winston County and when. They can prove your ancestor was in the county even if local records are gone. Census records are free at FamilySearch.org and at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The 1850 and later censuses list each person by name, while earlier censuses only named the head of household.

Church Records

Church records are vital when civil records are missing. Many Winston County churches kept their own books. These might include baptism dates, marriage notes, death records, and membership lists. Baptist churches were common in the area. Some Methodist congregations also kept good records.

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. A polite letter or phone call can open doors.

Military Records

Military records are especially useful for Winston County. Many men served in the Civil War, some for the Union and some for the Confederacy. 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.

Union pension applications from Winston County families can be goldmines. 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. Since many Winston men served in Union forces, check federal pension files carefully.

Newspaper Archives

Old newspapers often printed birth, marriage, and death notices. They also ran legal notices, land sales, and estate settlements. Local papers from the region may mention Winston County families. The Alabama Department of Archives has digitized many old newspapers from across the state.

Search their collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov. Chronicling America at the Library of Congress also has free access to historical papers from Alabama. Papers from neighboring counties like Walker or Cullman sometimes mentioned Winston County news and families.

Online Research Resources

Several websites help with Winston 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 Winston County records may be in collections from other agencies that kept copies. Military records and pension files are often found there.

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 Winston County. Records in this system date from the mid-1990s forward in most cases.

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. Winston County has many old cemeteries. Some date back to before the 1891 fire and hold clues to families whose records were lost.

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 Winston County cemeteries have been documented this way by local volunteers.

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. Family cemeteries on private land are common in rural Winston County. These can be harder to find but often hold the oldest burials in an area.

In-Person Research Tips

A visit to Double Springs 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 Winston County Public Library has a local history section. They hold books, maps, and files on Winston 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 during your visit.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip for older records. 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 Double Springs takes about two and a half hours.

The Birmingham Public Library has a Southern History Department. This is closer than Montgomery, about an hour and a half from Double Springs. They have old newspapers on microfilm and a strong genealogy book collection. Staff there know Alabama records well and can point you in the right direction.

Getting Research Help

Local historical and genealogical groups can help with Winston County research. The Free State of Winston heritage draws visitors and researchers from across the country. Local historians have deep knowledge of area families and where to find records.

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 Winston.

Online forums are another option. Sites like RootsWeb and GenForum have boards for Winston County and northwest Alabama. Post a question about your family and see if anyone has info to share. Other researchers may have already found the records you need or can point you to sources you missed.

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several towns and communities. None have populations over 50,000. All use the Winston County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. Double Springs is the county seat and where all county offices are located.

Towns in Winston County include Double Springs, Addison, Arley, Haleyville, Lynn, and Natural Bridge. Haleyville is the largest town but straddles the Winston and Marion county line. Residents of all these communities file records at the county offices in Double Springs. There is no city-level vital records office in Alabama.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Winston County. If your family lived near a county line, check records in both places. County borders have shifted over time. Winston was carved from Walker County in 1850, so pre-1850 records for this area are in Walker County.

Walker County to the south is the parent county. Check Walker for any Winston County records from before 1850. Cullman County to the east was formed from Winston in 1877, so some families moved between these areas. Marion County to the west shares part of the Haleyville community. Families often crossed these borders and may appear in records from multiple counties.