Alabama Research Tips and Strategies

Birth information
Birth records in Alabama start on the county level in 1908 - although not all counties complied with the law. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records

Finding Parents
The State of Alabama began recording deaths in 1908. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Alabama death records

Look in all censuses
Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.