Alabama Genealogy & LDS Family History Centers

Alabama residents wishing to learn more about their ancestors can visit one of the Alabama family history centers located throughout the state. These centers, run by the Alabama LDS Church, offer microfilm, computer and print resources to help everyone living in Alabama find information about ancestry. A volunteer staff is also available to answer questions and provide training sessions to assist patrons with their genealogy needs. Each Alabama center determines its own hours, so contact the center near you to find out when it is open before you visit. Family history centers are available to everyone in the state of Alabama.

If you have any questions or comments about family history centers, please send a message to [email protected].

Anniston Alabama Family History Center
1217 Lenlock Ln
Anniston, Alabama 36207
(256) 820-5828
Tue 1p-3p; Wed 6p-8p; Thu 9a-12p appointment only; 1st 3 Sat 9a-12p

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
166 Old Bratt Rd
Atmore, Alabama 36502
(334) 368-5130
Call during church hours to schedule time
Notes: Call for appointment

Birmingham Stake Center
2780 Altadena Rd
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
(205) 967-7279
Mon, Wed 10AM-2PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-4PM
Notes: The address is NOT a mailing address

Decatur Ward Building
2006 Modas Rd
Decatur, Alabama 35603
(205) 350-6586
Tue, Wed, Thu 9AM-12AM, 6PM-9PM
Notes: Or by Special Appointment; [email protected]

LDS Church of Dothan, Alabama
3199 Ross Clark Cir NW
Dothan, Alabama 36303
(334) 793-7425
Tue 8:30a-11:30a, 1:30p-4p; Tue-Thu 6:30p-8:30p; Thu 9a-12p, 1p-3:30p

Huntsville Family History Center
1804 Sparkman Dr
Huntsville, Alabama 35816
(205) 721-0905
Tue 6PM-8PM, Wed 9AM - noon,Thur 6PM-9PM

Byrd Springs Family History Center
2110 Byrd Springs Rd
Huntsville, Alabama 35802
(205) 881-4461
Tue, Wed, Thur, 9AM-1PM, 6:30PM-9PM

Madison Springs Family History Center
1297 Slaughter Rd
Madison, Alabama 35758
(205) 722-9450
Tue, Wed

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Mobile Alabama Family History Center
5520 Zeigler Blvd
Mobile, Alabama 36608
(334) 344-9270
Tue, Wed

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Montgomery Stake
3460 Carter Hill Rd
Montgomergy, Alabama 36111
(334) 269-9041
Wed, Thu 9AM-1PM, 6PM-9PM
Notes: Call ahead for wheelchair access

Wetumpka Family History Center
1405 Chapel Rd
Wetumpka, Alabama 36092
(334) 567-8339
Tue, Thu 6PM-9PM, Sun 2PM-5PM

Alabama Genealogy Resources

Alabama fever exploded the states population from 9000 to 144000 during 1810 to 1820 as federal land offices were established and many Revolutionary War veterans arrived. As with other "frontier" states of the times, counties continued to be established as native populations were squeezed from their traditional lands. And as with other southern states, fires destroyed many courthouses and the records they contained and statewide vital records registration was not required until the 1900s. Some birth and death records can be found back to 1881. For every gap in AL records there can be found some great surviving "gems" as you explore "The Heart of Dixie."

Some great Alabama specific genealogy resources that you definitely want to check out are:

1. Alabama Department of Archives and History - either visit in person or check out the online collections which include a Civil War Soldiers database, 1867 Voter Registration, digital archives and more.

2. Local databases found online at the Birmingham Public Library. Though there are many Birmingham specific ones, you will also find these ones which cover many counties or all of AL -- index to AL biography and AL Episcopal Church Registers.

3. Alabama Genealogical Society -- Loose Records Project Web Index, list of researchers and more.

4. Alabama Records - this 245 volume book series compiled by Pauline Myra Jones Gandrud contains death, marriage, probate, land, church, court, bible, tax and many other kinds of records. Each volume covers a particular county and is indexed. Some counties are covered by several volumes. Many large libraries have this collection or ask your library to request via interlibrary loan.