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DeKalb County, Alabama
Genealogy, History & Facts

DeKalb County, Alabama Facts

When was DeKalb County, AL Created?
DeKalb County was created on  Jan. 9, 1836, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Cherokee Nation.

What is the County Seat of DeKalb County, AL?
The County Seat is located in Fort Payne and in addition the county government website is http://www.dekalbcountyal.us

What counties are adjacent to DeKalb County, AL?
Bordering Counties are Jackson CountyDade County, Georgia, Walker County, Georgia, Chattooga County, Georgia, Cherokee CountyEtowah CountyMarshall County.

DeKalb County, AL Vital Records

Where can find DeKalb County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
DeKalb County vital records can be found at the Alabama Department of Public Health which has Birth And Death Records from 1908, Marriages from 1936 and Divorce Records from 1950. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Alabama for current fees and application process.

You can search online for DeKalb County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also order Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the DeKalb County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from 1885.

DeKalb County, AL Census Records


What DeKalb County, AL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for DeKalb County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

DeKalb Co. Slave Schedules can be obtained for 1850 & 1860. DeKalb Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. DeKalb Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. DeKalb Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be obtained for 1890.

There are Alabama State censuses from 1820-1866. Also two Alabama Census of Confederate Soldiers for 1907 and 1921. You can find free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Alabama Census Records Research Guide

DeKalb County, AL Courthouse and Government Records

DeKalb County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the DeKalb County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of DeKalb County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Alabama courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Alabama residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the DeKalb County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Alabama Corthouse Records Research Guide.

DeKalb County, AL Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for DeKalb County, AL?
A list of DeKalb County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Alabama Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

  • DEKALB COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC., P. O. Box 681087, Fort Payne, AL 35968-1612, or 2364 County Road 502, Fort Payne, AL 35968
  • DeKalb County Library, 504 Grand Avenue, North, Fort Payne, Alabama 35967, Phone:  256-845-2671. Hours: Monday–10-8,  Tuesday-Friday–10-6, Saturday–10-3,  closed for all holidays
  • ALDEKALB. A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in DeKalb County, Alabama.To subscribe send “subscribe” to [email protected] (mail mode) or [email protected] (digest mode).
  • ALDekalb-Rooters. A mailing list for anyone with a historic or genealogical interest in Dekalb County, Alabama. Surname queries are welcome. To subscribe send the following to [email protected]: subscribe
  • Alabama Genealogical Society, c/o Samford University Library, AGS Depository and Headquarters, 800 Lakeshore Drive, P.O. Box 2296, Birmingham, AL 35229-0001
  • Alabama Department of Archives & History, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-0100; Phone: (334) 242-4435

Where can I connect with other DeKalb County, AL Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in DeKalb County, AL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to DeKalb County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a fee. This is just a list that has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.

DeKalb Co. AL Books, Newspapers & Publications

DeKalb Co. AL Cemeteries & Church Records

DeKalb Co. AL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

DeKalb Co. AL General and History Websites

DeKalb Co. AL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

DeKalb Co. AL Military Records