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Shelby County, Alabama
Genealogy, History & Facts

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 CountyTalladega CountyCoosa CountyChilton CountyBibb CountyJefferson 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.

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 1820183018401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

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

Shelby County Courthouse

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.

Old Shelby County Courthouse

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.

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

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

Shelby Co. AL Cemeteries & Church Records

Shelby Co. AL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Shelby Co. AL General and History Websites

Shelby Co. AL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Shelby Co. AL Military Records