Alabama Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This index covers the years from 1908-1974.

Record Description
Each death was recorded on a one-page pre-printed form.

Record Content
The following information is generally found in these records:


 * Dates of death and burial
 * Frequently, birth date of the deceased
 * City, county, and state of death
 * Name and location of the cemetery where buried
 * Frequently, the country or state and sometimes the town and county of birth for the deceased
 * Frequently, the country or state and sometimes the town and county of birth for the parents
 * Name of the deceased, married name of spouse, names of parents, often with maiden surname of the mother
 * Name of the informant, who is often a child or other family member
 * Age of the deceased usually in years, months, and days
 * Sex of the deceased
 * Residence or address of the deceased, often including length of residence at that place or in the United States, if foreign-born
 * Whether the deceased was single, married, widowed, or divorced at the time of death
 * Occupation of the deceased

How to Use the Records
Death certificates are the best source of death information. The certificates contain clues for further research: the birth date and birthplace of the individual; the name of the spouse; the names of parents; the place of residence; the name of the informant who may be a child of the deceased.

Record History
The trend of keeping state-wide death records throughout the United States expanded in the early 20th century after Congress passed a resolution in 1901 asking each state to gather information about births and deaths on a statewide basis. Because Congress did not fund it, it took several more years before it happened in every state. Death certificates were usually filled out by a mortician or medical professional. They filled in the information concerning the death and then obtained personal information on the deceased from an informant, usually a relative. Then, they sent the information to the county, who sent a copy to the state.

Alabama has recorded deaths from 1 January 1908.

Though recording of deaths was mandatory, the state did not achieve 90 percent compliance of death registration until 1925.

Why This Collection Was Created?
Deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs. They were also used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates.

Record Reliability
Information pertaining to death is reliable; including cause of death, name of the attending physician or medical professional, name and address of the funeral home used, and the exact date and place of burial. Other information is dependent upon the reliability of the informant.

Related Web Sites
This section of the article is incomplete. You can help FamilySearch Wiki by supplying links to related websites here.

Related Wiki Articles
Alabama Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Sources of Information for This Collection:
“Alabama Statewide Deaths, 1908-1974,” database, FamilySearch; from Alabama Department of Health. "Alabama Statewide Deaths, 1908-1974; index to deaths, 1908-1959." Alabama Department of Health, Montgomery, Alabama. FHL microfilm, 734 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also 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.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection:

 * Alabama Deaths and Burials, digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org January 7, 2011). Death of Endora Ann Phillips,27 Sept 1931, Millport, Lamar, Alabama, film number 1728058


 * Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881-1952 digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 7, 2011), Death of William Thomas Baker, 2 Dec 1942, Wedowee, Randolph, Alabama, film number 1686177