Alabama Search Strategies

North America United States    Alabama    Search Strategies

Strategies for research in Alabama will vary depending upon the amount of identifying information that is already known about an ancestor (such as relationships and places of residence), record availability, and the time period of interest.

Overall Search Strategies
Follow these steps to better locate a record you need:
 * 1) Gather what you know.
 * 2) Choose what you want to learn.
 * 3) Find a record.
 * 4) Evaluate what you’ve found.
 * 5) Share your new information.

More information about each of these steps is presented in the series of online videos, 5 Minute Genealogy, found under FamilySearch's Learning Center.

The wiki article United States Basic Search Strategies presents further information on similar steps to research.

Research on the Internet
Many genealogical records are now available on the Internet. Consider using these resources first before you attempt a visit to a local archival institution.

Often, compiled Family Trees containing user-submitted family information will contain sources about an ancestor. These collaborative sites are continually being updated by individual contributors, so review them frequently. The following list is only a sampling of what’s available:


 * FamilySearch Family Tree: A one-tree database that strives to be the world's family tree, often with FamilySearch sources attached to an ancestor
 * Ancestry.com Public Member Trees: ($) Contains numerous user-submitted trees, often with Ancestry.com sources attached to an ancestor
 * WikiTree: Contributors control the access to each individual they add
 * RootsWeb World Connect: Over 640 million names on family trees with sources, pedigrees, family groups, and submitter contact data.

Once you have determined what sources are already known, consider searching online record databases for other sources. Some of these databases are listed below, followed by what records to search for.


 * FamilySearch.org: One of the world's largest databases of Western Hemisphere and European records
 * Ancestry.com: Also one of the world's largest databases of Western Hemisphere and European records
 * findmypast.com: The world's premiere database for European records, also contains many Western Hemisphere records

When first starting your search, consider looking for census or vital records.
 * Census. Visit Alabama Census for help searching census records from Alabama.
 * Vital Records. Visit Alabama Vital Records Online for help searching vital records in Alabama.

Records of the Family History Library
Most of the records at the Family History Library are available online. However, there may be some that are still only in print. Consider browsing through the Alabama records listings for possible records.

To find a record in the FamilySearch Catalog, look in the Place Search for:


 * The place where your ancestor lived:
 * UNITED STATES – CENSUS
 * ALABAMA - VITAL RECORDS
 * ALABAMA, LEE - LAND AND PROPERTY
 * ALABAMA, LEE, AUBURN - CHURCH RECORDS


 * The record type you want, such as:
 * UNITED STATES – CENSUS
 * ALABAMA - VITAL RECORDS
 * ALABAMA, LEE - LAND AND PROPERTY
 * ALABAMA, LEE, AUBURN - CHURCH RECORDS

The page titles in these Wiki pages match the names of record types (subject headings) used in the FamilySearch Catalog.