Alabama, Madison County Chancery and Circuit Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This is a collection of probate records, including case files and other documents created by the probate courts of various Alabama counties. Probates were generally recorded in the county of residence. This collection covers probate records created 1847 to 1950, but the content and time period of the records will vary by county. Additional records may be added to this collection. Check the wiki or browse the collection to determine current coverage.

Record Content
Information may differ between court files and may include any of the following:
 * Name of interested parties
 * Associated event dates such as marriage, divorce, death. or probate
 * Names of relatives and heirs such as spouse, minor children, and dependents
 * Names of witnesses
 * Name of court
 * Type of event
 * Date of court hearing
 * Residences
 * Lists or property disputed
 * Document and recording dates
 * Occupations

How to Use the Record
To begin your search, it is helpful to know:
 * The names of the principle parties
 * The approximate date of the event
 * The case file number

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒ Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒ Select the "Record Category" ⇒ Select the "Record Type, Volume, and Year Range" category which takes you to the images.

Many of these volumes have indexes at the beginning or end. You should search these first. If your ancestor is in the index download a copy or write down the page numbers listed for your ancestor. You can then quickly turn to those pages.

If you do not find your ancestor in the index, look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example:
 * Use the records to identify heirs and relatives.
 * Use the information to approximate birth and death dates.
 * Use the occupations listed to find other types of records, such as employment or military records.
 * Use the residences to locate other records such as vital records, census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased, this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after 1900.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.
 * Witnesses in court cases may be close relatives.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local historical and genealogical groups also compile indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Related Websites

 * Chancery Clerk Website
 * Alabama Wills

Related Wiki Articles

 * Madison County, Alabama
 * Alabama

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.