Madison County, Alabama Genealogy

Guide to Madison County, Alabama ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

County Courthouse
Probate Judge has marriage probate and land records from 1809 Clerk Circuit Court has divorce and court records County Courthouse has death and buried records

Description
The County was named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America. The County has Huntsville as its seat and the County was created December 13, 1808. The County is located in the north-central area of the state.

Parent County
13 December 1808: Madison County was created from the Cherokee and Chickasaw Cession of 1806-1807.

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Alabama county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Alabama County Boundary Maps" (1799-1980) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Neighboring Counties
Jackson | Limestone | Marshall | Morgan | Franklin County, Tennessee

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in Madison County:

African American

 * 1808-1868 Minutes Flint River Baptist Church [Madison] Alabama. Microfilmed by Historical Commission Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, Tenn. FHL US/CAN Film 984,179. At the beginning of this it states that there is a list [1850] of African Americans at the back. It is of note however, African-Americans are noted throughout the 1808-1868 volume. 
 * 1936-1951 - in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch.org - free.
 * County Court Records - Case Files. 1824-1842. Original documents in folders. has 84 different African-American cases in it.
 * List of Slaves sent to Ft. Henry in 1862 Chancery Court Minute Book 1839-184. Madison County Record Center.

Biography

 * Northern Alabama, Historical and Biographical. Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land, 1888. Digital version at . begins on page 61.


 * Madison County Biographies at The USGenWeb Archives Project - free.

Cemeteries
The following web site has additional information on Madison county cemeteries.


 * Interment.net Alabama cemetery records by county.


 * Douthat, James L. Wheeler Reservoir Cemeteries. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, at Mountain Press. $$


 * Additional Madison County cemeteries are included in Alabama Cemetery Records at FamilySearch Books Online - free.

Census
State Census
 * 1809 Census of Madison County ~  ALGenWeb
 * 1816. Alabama Genealogical Society Magazine. See PERSI for issues. Also Alabama Census.
 * 1830 Census Index and Transcription ~  USGenWeb Archives Project
 * 1840 Census Index and Transcription ~  USGenWeb Archives Project
 * 1850 Census Index and Transcription ~  USGenWeb Archives Project
 * 1860 Census Index and Transcription ~  USGenWeb Archives Project
 * 1900 Census Index and Transcription ~  USGenWeb Archives Project


 * 1866 - at FamilySearch — index

Baptist

 * [1808-1868] Minutes Flint River Baptist Church [Madison] Alabama. Microfilmed by Historical Commission Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, Tenn. FHL US/CAN Film 984,179. In 1821 members living near the Big Spring in Ashberns Cove joined the jurisdiction of Flint River Baptist Church. And in 1833 the church included members that lived on Clear Creek. .
 * "Flint River Baptist Church Minutes, May 13, 1809-June 1, 1810" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 2009. Vol 43 Iss. 3
 * "Flint River Baptist Church Minutes, July 1810-Aug 1812" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 2009. Vol 43 Iss. 4
 * "Flint River Baptist Church Membership List 1832-1858" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 2009. Vol 43. Iss 3
 * "First Baptist Church, Huntsville, 1809-1984" Alabama Genealogical Society Magazine. Birmingham, Alabama : 1989. Vol 21. Iss 1-2.

Presbyterian

 * By 1840 a Presbyterian Church referred to as "Combesline Presbyterions" existed. Location thought to be relatively near the Flint River.
 * "Session Records of the Presbyterian Church, 1823-60" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 1971. Vol 5 Iss. 3.
 * "Session Recs. of the Presbyterian Church, 1847-85" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Sep 1971. Vol 6 Iss. 1.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Meridianville


 * 1883-1903 - Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Meridianville Baptism Index 1883-1903. Batch at FamilySearch - free.

Territorial

 * "Mississippi Territory Circuit Court Trial and Appearance Dockets, 1809-1812" Alabama Genealogical Society Magazine. Birmingham, Alabama : Spring 2009.
 * "Mississippi Territory Minute Book, 1811-19" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 1991. Vol 25, Iss 3.

Minute Books

 * [1811-1819] Records of Madison County, Alabama ALGenWeb (Varied records, including: Minute Book (1811-1819), Naturalization, Probate Index)
 * [1810-1817] Johnson, Dorothy Scott J. Madison County, Alabama Orphans Court minutes, 1810-1817. FHL US/CAN Book 976.197 P2j. Also film.
 * [1810-1819] Superior court minutes, 1810-1819, Madison County, Alabama. FHL Film.
 * [1831-1844] “Commissioner Court Minutes, 1832” Valley Leaves Huntsville, Alabama. Vol 23 Issue 4. Abstracted minutes from page 1 of 1831 to May 1844. These minutes mention the names of those caring for paupers, as well as the paupers names (including orphans)-- along with the usual things like roads. FHL US/CAN Book 976.19 B2v.

Chancery
"Chancery Court Abstracts, 1824" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Sep 2006. Vol 41. Iss. 1.

Chancery and Circuit Court
Madison County Chancery and Circuit Court Records are available for free online at FamilySearch. This collection contains records of disputed estates and divorces.


 * Alabama Madison County Chancery and Circut Court Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)..
 * This collection has two parts to it. First it contains the Chancery Court Case Files from 1841+ (Case No. 173+), and second, it contains the Circuit Court Divorce and Disputed Estate files from ca 1907+

Orphan Court

 * [1810-1817] Johnson, Dorothy Scott. Madison county, Alabama Orphans Court Minutes 1810-1817. FHL US/CAN Book 976.197 P2j
 * [1824+] See Alabama State Archives

Misc

 * [1831-1844] "Commissioners Court Minutes, 1831" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 1989. Vol 23 Iss 4 and Sep 1989. Vol 24. Iss. 1. Dec 1989. Vol 24. Iss 2. Mar 1990. Vol 24, Iss 3. Jun 1990. Vol. 24. Iss 4. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.
 * [1841] "Justice of the Peace and Constable Bonds, 1841" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1990. Vol 25. Iss 2. Dec 1991 Vol 26 Iss 2 p 85. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.
 * [1842] "Court Records, 1842" Alabama Genealogical Exchange. Tuscaloosa, Alabama : Winter 1987. Vol 3, Iss. 3. FHL US/CAN 976.D25ag. These are selected entries done by Pauline Gandrud whose unpublished files are in Special Collections, University of Alabama Library.
 * [1841-1844] "Justice of the Peace &amp; Constable Bonds, 1841-1844" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1991. Vol 26. Iss 2. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.

Directories
Madison County, Alabama Online Historical Directories - identifies historical city, county, business and other directories available online on both free and pay-to-access websites.

Genealogy

 * Madison county Public Library has surname vertical file material. In 1978 this was microfilmed and is available on film at the FHL.
 * Madison County, AL Genealogy Forum

Immigration
Early settlers came primarily from Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia.

Court Records of Madison County, Alabama ALGenWeb (Varied records, including: Minute Book, Naturalization, Probate Index)

Land and Property
To place a grant or deed on a map within context of Madison county see:


 * Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Madison County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. Norman, Okla.: Arphax Pub. Co., 2009. This is a definitive work and can be used as an index to land grants. Digital version at HistoryGeo.com ($). Website includes free surname index..

Southern Claims Commission: Alabama Claims 1871-1880. Tracking Your Roots.

Grants

"The original land office for Madison county, Mississippi Territory was established in Nashville, Tennessee on Mar 3, 1807 and was moved to Huntsville in 1811. In 1807 Thomas Freeman, Government Surveyor, was assigned to survey the the lands in the “Triangle” which became Madison Co., Mississippi Territory on Dec 13, 1808. A census of the inhabitants was taken by him in January 1809. Subsequently, acting as Registrar, he received the “squatters” applications to buy their land. After a fee was paid, permission was granted then to remain as “tenants at will” on their land with rights to purchase at auction at a Public Land Sale. This sale took place at Nashville in August 1809 and fee simple land titles were established. (Less than half of the men who made application appear in the Tract Book.)"

There were no land grants given for military service in Madison county until after the Mexican War.


 * Cowart, Margaret Matthews . Old land records of Madison County, Alabama. FHL US/CAN BOOK 976.197 R2c. See catalog for scope description. Has index and map of original "triangle" that was Madison county.
 * "MS Tr. 1809 Register of Applications &amp; Permissions" Valley Leaves Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 1972. Vol 6, Iss 4.

Deeds


 * [1810-1819] Johnson, Dorothy Scott. Madison County, Alabama deed books A, B, C, D, E, 1810-1819 (territorial) : a synopsis of every instrument recorded in deed books A through E, which covers the period Madison County was a part of the Mississippi and Alabama territories from July, 1810 through November, 1819. (Huntsville, Alabama : Johnson Historical Publications (AL), c1976 ) FHL US/CAN Book 976.197 R2j.
 * [1810-1886] FHL has direct and reserve index on film. Also deed books on film.

History
History of Madison county


 * Betts, Edward Chambers. Early History of Huntsville, Alabama 1804 to 1870. 1909; revised, Montgomery, Ala.: The Brown Printing Co., 1916. Digital version at - free.

Timeline

 * Madison County was established on December 13, 1808 by the Governor of the Mississippi Territory.
 * The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the first to visit the state of Alabama.
 * It is recognized as the "birthplace" of Alabama,which was founded there on December 14 1819.
 * The economy of Madison county revolved mainly around agriculture, being recognized as one of the largest cotton-producing counties in the state. This all changed in 1950.
 * In 1950, a group of German rocket scientists, led by Wernher von Braun, came to Redstone Arsenal and developed, among others, the Redstone rocket, which was modified to launch the first two Americans into space.
 * Tens of thousands of jobs came to the area as a result of the Space Race.
 * The population of Madison County in 1950 was 72,903.
 * The population rose to 298,192 in 2005.
 * The population according to the 2010 Census was 334,811.
 * The County seat is Huntsville.

Maps

 * Maps of Alabama (1799-1980)
 * Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Madison County, Alabama: with Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More. (Norman, Oklahoma : Arphax Pub. Co., c2009). FHL US/CAN BOOK 976.197 E7. This is a definitive work. Available online at *HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.

Civil War
Civil War service men from Madison County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Madison County.


 * - 1st Battalion, Alabama Artillery, Company D and F
 * - 4th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry (Russell's), Company C and F
 * - 4th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F(Huntsville Guards)
 * - 4th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company I(North Alabamians)
 * - 7th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company D(Madison Rifles)
 * - 27th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company F
 * - 35th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company E and F
 * - 49th Regiment, Alabama Infantry, Company H and K

Online Records
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
 * 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
 * 1871-1880 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1880-1930 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1907, 1921, 1927 - at FamilySearch — images

"Creek Indian War - Company from County" ''Valley Leaves. ''Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1985. Vol 20 iss 2.

World War I

 * 1917-1919 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers

 * Alabama Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both free and pay-to-access websites.
 * Madison county newspapers - a listing of newspapers published in the county &amp; libraries that hold them; via the Library of Congress.

Abstracts of The Southern Advocate (1833) and The Democrat (1835) were published in:


 * 1833, 1835 - Caver, Larry E. Abstracts from Alabama Newspapers, Volume II: Limestone County, Madison County, Marshall County, Jackson County. Carrollton, Miss.: Pioneer Publishing Co., 2007. Digital version at - free.

Obituaries

 * Huntsville Obituary Index - searchable database of obits done by the Huntsville Madison County Public Library *Madison County, Alabama Obituary and Death Notices Collection - A free collection of obituaries and death notices from various funeral homes in the Madison County area has been put together by GenealogyBuffs.com.
 * "Few North Alabama Newspaper Obituries, 1847-49." Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Sep 1974. Vol 9. Iss 1. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.
 * "N. AL Obits from Out-of-Co. Newspapers 1827-39" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 1972. Vol 6 Iss 3. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.

Periodicals

 * Valley Leaves. 1966–. Published by the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1568, Huntsville, Alabama 35807. . Website identifies articles relating to (click "Search by County").

Probate Records

 * 1809-1965 Madison County Probate Court Indices at the Madison County Records Center Online. Includes wills, estate inventories and accounts, guardianships, petitions, name changes, adoptions, etc.
 * Partlow, Thomas E. Franklin County, Tennessee Wills, 1808-1876 &amp; Deeds, 1801-1840 (Southern Historical Press, Inc. Greenville, SC, 1991) FHL US/CAN Book 976.863 P2pt.
 * Court Records of Madison County, Alabama ALGenWeb (Varied records, including: Minute Book, Naturalization, Probate Index)

Online Probate Records
 * 1753 – 1999 Alabama Wills and Probate Records 1753-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1809 – 1985 at FamilySearch — images

Abstracts

 * "Abstracts of Wills in Probate Record 4, 1826-1827" Valley Leaves Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1972. Vol 7. Iss. 2
 * "Abstracts of Wills in Probate Rec 2 &amp; 5, 1823-30" Valley Leaves Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1973. Vol 8. Iss 2.
 * "Abstracts of Wills In Probate Rec 2 &amp; 5, 1824-31" Valley Leaves Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 1974. Vol 8, Iss 3.
 * "Abstracts of Wills, Probate Records 1829-33" Valley Leaves Huntsivlle, Alabama : Sep 1974. Vol 9, Iss. 1

Taxation

 * [1802] Franklin, Lisa R. 1802 List of Taxable Property: Madison County, MS Territory Tracking Your Roots.
 * [1810] Franklin, Lisa R. List of Taxable Property in Madison County, MS Territory-Dated 19 JUL 1810 Tracking Your Roots.
 * [1810-1815] Cochran, Mrs. Roy J. Taxpayers of Madison County (Alabama), Mississippi Territory from 1810-1815 tax lists : names alphabetically arranged with annotation of polls (Huntsville, Ala. : Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, 1978) See Tennesse Valley Genealogical Society.
 * [1811, 1812] Jones, Mrs. Blair. Tax lists 1811 &amp; 1812, Madison County, Miss. : &amp; a few Alabama land entries (Pell City, Ala. : [s.n., 19--?]). Digital version at - free.
 * [1816] - Inhabitants of Alabama in 1816. Broken Arrow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1955. Digital version at - free. Includes Madison County.
 * [1859] 1859 Tax List Collier Store Madison County, Alabama Rootsweb

Taxation Substitutes

 * [1821?] "Jurors List"Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 1988. Vol 4. Iss 4. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v.
 * [1824] "A List of Letters (Dead Letters) 1824" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Mar 1975. Vol 9. Iss 3. FHL US/CAN Book 976.19 B2v.
 * [1828] "List of Letters in Post Office, Huntsville, 1828" Alabama Genealogical Exchange. Tuscaloosa, Alabama : Sep 1986. Vol 3. Iss 1.(surnames A-M) Vol 3 Iss 2 p 23 (surnames N-Z). FHL US/CAN 976.D25ag.
 * [1833] "Letters in the Hunstville P. O., Apr 4, 1833" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 1979. Vol 13 Iss 4, p. 179 (surnames A-M). Vol 14, Iss. 1 (surnames M-Z). FHL US/CAN Book 976.19 B2v. FHL has Vol 13 &amp; 14, Iss 1-4 bound together with index at back of each bound volume.
 * [1843] "Jurors List, 1843" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1988. Vol 23, Iss. 2. FHL US/CAN 976.19 B2v. FHL has Vol 23 Iss 1-4 bound together with index at back.

Vital Records
See also How to order Alabama Vital Records

Birth Records

 * 1881-1912 - Madison County Birth Index 1881-1912 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.


 * 1881 – 1930 at FamilySearch.org — index

Marriage Records

 * 1733-2013 - Alabama, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $


 * To 1825 Index to Marriages at Ancestry – ($); Index. contains over 12,000 names. Each entry includes groom, bride, marriage date, county, and state. Every name is indexed so you can search for one name, or two names that are linked.


 * 1809–1826, 1828, 1831–1843, 1853–1869, 1871, 1875–1883, 1896, 1936–1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800–1969 at Ancestry – ($); Index. This collection is comprised of indexes created by several agencies - the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Jordan Dodd of Liahona Research, and Hunting For Bears.


 * 1809-1843; 1853-1882 "Alabama Marriages, 1809–1920" at Ancestry – ($); Index. This database is a collection of marriage records from the state. Researchers will find the names of both bride and groom along with the marriage date. The county where the ceremony was performed is also provided. Containing about 150,000 records and the names of nearly 300,000 men and women.


 * 1809-1919 - Madison County Marriage Books 3-44 Index 1809-1919 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.


 * 1820-1831, 1853-1893, 1919-1951 - in "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," at FamilySearch.org - free.


 * Marriages at ALGenWeb - free


 * 1809 – 1950 at FamilySearch.org — index/images


 * 1816 – 1957 at FamilySearch.org — index


 * 1800 – 1969 Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 at Ancestry.com — index $


 * 1809 – 1920 [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4192 Alabama Marriages,


 * 1809-1920 (Selected Counties)] at Ancestry.com — index $

Death Records

 * 1881-1912 - Madison County Death Index 1881-1912. Batch at FamilySearch - free.


 * 1881–1974 Index to Deaths and Burials at Ancestry – ($); Index. Volunteers extracted the details in this index from microfilmed copies of church, civil, family, and other records of Alabama deaths and burials. details vary depending on the original record. Note that the number of available records can vary widely by county, and this database does not necessarily represent a comprehensive set of death records for the state during this time.


 * 1908–1959 Index to Deaths Recorded by the State of Alabama at Ancestry – ($); Index. The index includes name of the deceased, county of death, date of death, and the state certificate number (volume and page).


 * 1908-1974 - at FamilySearch Historical Records Collection - free


 * 1881 – 1952 at FamilySearch.org — index


 * 1908 – 1974 at FamilySearch.org — index


 * 1881 – 1974 Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 at Ancestry.com — index $


 * 1908 – 1959 [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5188 Alabama Deaths,


 * 1908-59] at Ancestry.com — index $

Vital Record Substitutes

 * 1828-1829 - "Some 1828-29 area marriages in the Democrat" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Dec 1972. Vol 2. Iss 4.
 * 1844-1846 - "Area Marriages 1844-46 in the Democrat" Valley Leaves. Huntsville, Alabama : Jun 1973. Vol 7. Iss 4.

Archives, Libraries, and Museums

 * Huntsville Madison County Public Library 915 Monroe Street Huntsville, Alabama 35801 Telephone: 256-532-5940

The Heritage Room has local and state histories, genealogical and family collections, newspapers, Madison County records, military records, and more.


 * Madison County Record Center, Huntsville Public Library, PO Box 443, Huntsville, AL 35804. 205 532-2347.

Courthouses
County Courthouse 700 100 Northside Sq., Huntsville, AL 35801

Family History Center

 * Introduction to Family History Centers
 * Byrd Springs Alabama Family History Center
 * 2110 Byrd Spring Rd
 * Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States
 * Phone: 256-881-4461
 * Hours:*W-T 9am-12pm
 * Wednesday 6:30pm-8:30pm
 * Thursday 6:30 - 9:00 pm by appt any day
 * Closed: Closed the last two weeks of December.
 * Huntsville Alabama
 * 1804 Sparkman Dr Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States Phone: 256-721-0905 Hours: Wednesday 10am-1pm or by Appointment. Closures: Week of Thanksgiving and Christmas
 * Madison-Harvest Alabama
 * 1297 Slaughter Rd Madison, Madison, Alabama, United States Phone: 256-722-9450 Hours: T-W 6:30 pm-8:30pm; Th 10am-12pm. Closures: December 15-January 4, 2012; closed if there is accumulated snow or tornadic weather

Family History Centre Locator

Societies
Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1568 Huntsville, Alabama 35807 Publication: Valley Leaves

Madison African-American Alliance Group P. O. Box 445 Madison, AL 35758 Link

Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society P.O. Box 666 Huntsville, AL 35804 Publication: Historic Huntsville Review Link

Madison Station Historical Preservation Society 18 Arnett St. Madison, AL  35758 e-mail: steadmancorner@juno.com

Monte Santo Historical Association jbarr30@comcast.net

Huntsville Genealogical Computing Society 256-882-2912


 * List of Alabama Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical &amp; Genealogical Societies


 * Madison County, Alabama


 * Madison Co. AL


 * United States Resources: Alabama


 * Al Gen Web

Madison County Alabama Genealogy Websites

 * Madison County, AL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Madison County, ALGenWeb - free genealogy resources; part of the national USGenWeb Project
 * USGenWeb project may have maps, name indexes, history, or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Madison USGenWeb Archives Project~ contains record transcriptions from Bibles, obituaries, court records and more.
 * Madison County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Madison County, Alabama Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)