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

What is in This Collection?
This collection of probate records, includes case files and other documents created by the probate courts of Madison County, Alabama. Probates were generally recorded in the county of residence. This collection covers probate records created 1829-1968, 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

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * 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 Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * Residence or date of the event

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Court Record Type
 * 2) Select the Year
 * 3) Select the Case Number and Plaintiff versus Defendant  to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use a probate record to identify adoptions, guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use a will to approximate a death date, then search for a death certificate
 * Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records for earlier years
 * Use the information to locate census, christenings, marriage and land records
 * Use the occupations to find employment or military records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Alabama.
 * Alabama Guided Research
 * Alabama Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * Chancery Court case files, 1841-1917
 * Law and Equity court records (divorces and disputed estates), 1907-1950
 * Circuit Court case files, 1825-1872
 * Superior court minutes, 1810-1819

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.