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Shelby County, Alabama
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Shelby County, Alabama Facts
When was Shelby County, AL Created?
Shelby County was created on February 7, 1818, from former Creek Indian territory ceded in the Treaty of Fort Jackson on August 9, 1814 and from Montgomery County.
What is the County Seat of Shelby County, AL?
Shelbyville was the first county seat. In 1826 the town of Columbia changed its name to Columbiana and became the permanent county seat. In addition the county government website is http://www.shelbyal.com/
What counties are adjacent to Shelby County, AL?
Bordering Counties are St. Clair County, Talladega County, Coosa County, Chilton County, Bibb County, Jefferson County.
Shelby County, AL Vital Records
Where can find Shelby County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County Health Department has Birth Records from N/A, Death records from N/A.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- Alabama, Birth Records and Christenings, 1881-1930
- USGenweb Archives Alabama Marriage Project
- Alabama, County Marriage Records, 1809-1950
- Alabama, Death Records and Burials, 1881-1952
- Alabama, Death Records, 1908-1974
- Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957
- Alabama Marriage Records, 1800-1969 Database
- Alabama Marriage Records to 1825
- Alabama Death Records, 1908-59
Shelby County, AL Census Records
What Shelby County, AL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Shelby County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Shelby Co. Slave Schedules can be obtained for 1850 & 1860. Shelby Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Shelby Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Shelby 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
Shelby County, AL Courthouse and Government Records

What genealogical records can I find in the Shelby County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Shelby 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 Shelby 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.

- Shelby County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Address: P.O.Box 1810, Columbiana, Ala. 3505l
- Phone: 205-669-3760, Fax No. 205-669-3786
- Court Records: 1819
- Divorce Records:
- Shelby County Clerk of Probate Court
- Address: P.O. Box 1627, Columbiana, AL 35051-1627
- Phone: (205) 669-3740
- Marriage Records: 1819 (Marriages issued prior to 1936)
- Probate Records: 1819
- Land Records: 1819
- Alabama, Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908
- Index to Alabama Wills, 1808-1870
- Alabama, Convict Records, 1886-1952
- Alabama, Voter Registration Records, 1867
- Shelby County USGenWeb Archives Project
- BLM Land Records
Shelby County, AL Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Shelby County, AL?
A list of Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Alabama Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Shelby County Museum and Archives, 1854 Old Courthouse, Box 457, Columbiana AL 35051-0457; 205-669-3912
- Shelby County Historical Society, 1854 Old Courthouse, Box 457, Columbiana, AL 35051-0457; 205-669-3912; Publication: Quarterly
- ALSHELBY. A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in Shelby County, Alabama. To subscribe send “subscribe” to [email protected] (mail mode) or [email protected] (digest mode).
- 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 Shelby County, AL Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Alabama Genealogy Community (plus.google.com)
- Alabama State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Shelby County, Alabama Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Shelby County
- Shelby County, Alabama Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Shelby County, AL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Shelby 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.
Shelby Co. AL Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Alabama Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Alabama historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Alabama (genealogybank.com)
- Shelby County, Alabama Books (amazon.com)
- Shelby County Newspapers (usgwarchives.net)
- Shelby County Obituaries (usgwarchives.net)
- Shelby County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Shelby Co. AL Cemeteries & Church Records
- Alabama Cemetery Research Guide
- Shelby County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Shelby Co., Alabama Graves (findagrave.com)
- Shelby Co., Alabama Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Shelby County Cemetery Records
- Shelby Co., Alabama Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Shelby County Church Records
- Autauga County Bible Records
- Shelby County, Alabama Church Books (amazon.com)
Shelby Co. AL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Create a Free Family Tree (ancestry.com)
- Shelby County Biographies (usgwarchives.net)
- Shelby County Pictures (usgwarchives.net)
Shelby Co. AL General and History Websites
- Shelby County Alabama (genealogytrails.com)
- Shelby County, Alabama Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Shelby Co. ALGenweb (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
- Shelby Co. AL Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Shelby County History (usgwarchives.net)
- Shelby County – American History and Genealogy Project (usgennet.org)
- Shelby County, Alabama (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Alabama – Counties – Shelby (cyndislist.com)
- Shelby County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Shelby Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Shelby Co. AL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Alabama Links and Information
- Shelby County D.O.T. MAP
- 1895 Shelby County Map (livgenmi.com)
Shelby Co. AL Military Records
- Alabama Military Records Research Guide
- Alabama Military Records (Fold3.com) gives access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the Alabama both women and men who served. Great for Shelby County genealogists, researchers, historians and much more.
- Shelby County Military Records