Alabama, Jefferson County, Circuit Court Papers - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1870 to 1916.

These records from the Jefferson County Circuit Court are loose papers pertaining to disputed estates and property. They also include some divorce records.

For a list of records by case number currently published in this collection, select the Browselink from the collection landing page.

Record Content
Information found in this collection may include:


 * Names of interested parties
 * Date of court proceeding or transaction
 * Details of the case
 * Place of residence
 * Names of witnesses

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * Name
 * Identifying information such as place of residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "County" category ⇒Select the "Record Type and Volume" 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 date and locality to search for census and church 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.

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
Guide to Alabama Court Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Alabama History
 * Alabama Court Records
 * Sumter County, Alabama

Citations for this Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. 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. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually. Collection Citation: Image Citation: