Alabama Archives

The Alabama Archives center or better known as ADAH has a treasure trove of information available for genealogists and historians of Alabama ancestry. Many of the larger communities have also built archive centers open to the public for research. We provide specific links below, to all of the Alabama archives that we’re aware of.

National Archives

The national archives (NARA) has developed regional centers which house all of the available NARA microfilms as well as records specific to the region the center covers. The information available is specific to federal records, and researchers should look at how their ancestor may have interacted with the federal government before searching.

Online Archives

Alabama Department of Archives and History Digital Collections

  • Alabama 1867 Voter Registration Records
    Several counties were not yet established at the time of the 1867 voter registration: Chilton, Cullman, Escambia, Geneva, and Houston. There is no voter registration book available for Clarke County. The original 1867 Voter Registration books for Montgomery County are missing. Data for Montgomery County was derived from a typed list found on microfilm created in the 1950’s. To view the names of Montgomery County registrants, go to the database search page, and type “Montgomery” in the county field. The books for the following counties were severely damaged from mold: Dallas; Franklin; Lauderdale; Limestone; Lowndes; Monroe; Randolph; and Washington. Some information may be missing due to the extent of the mold damage.

  • World War I Gold Star Database
    This database is being developed from the Gold Star files of World War I Alabama service people who died during the war or who had been awarded distinguished service recognition.  Information about individuals may include an entry from the Official U.S. Bulletin, entries from the “Alabamians in European War” index card collection, biographical sketches of the service men, photographs, newspaper articles, and correspondence from family members. No attempt has been made to validate the information in the files including spelling of names.
  • Alabama Confederate Service Cards
    On-line database, also available on self-service microfilm. This series contains information about individual soldiers from Alabama and was compiled from original sources such as muster rolls, pension files, and records at the National Archives. Service cards typically include the name of the soldier, his home county, his age at the date of his enlistment, the date and place of enlistment, and the company and regiment. Cards may also include a list of the engagements the soldier took part in; whether he was killed, captured, or wounded; and date of parole. The source of information is often cited. Arranged alphabetically by surname.
  • Alabama Photographs and Pictures Collection
    This digital collection contains over 20,000 images from the Alabama Department of Archives and History holdings. It includes a wide range of photographs, prints, and drawings from the early nineteenth century to the present day covering many topics and individuals from all walks of life.
  • Alabama Textual Materials Collection
    This collection contains a selection of textual materials such as letters, diaries, minutes, fliers, clippings, and excerpts from books. State publications, the Alabama Historical Quarterly, the Alabama Official and Statistical Register, and the History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography are in separate collections.
  • Alabama Maps Collection
    This collection contains a sampling of maps from the extensive holdings at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The maps span 300 years, documenting not only Alabama’s geographic past, but also that of the region, nation, and continent.
  • Alabama Folklife Collection
    This collection features a selection of images and audio recordings from the Archive of Alabama Folk Culture (AAFC). The AAFC was established in 2007 in order to house and make available the body of fieldwork gathered by the Alabama Folklife Association
  • Alabama Genealogy and History Publications
    To commemorate Alabama’s bicentennial, the genealogical and historical community has partnered with the Alabama Bicentennial Commission and the Alabama Department of Archives and History to create a portal to publications documenting the story of the state’s people and its past. Much of this collection will consist of the newsletters and journals produced by historical and genealogical organizations, but other relevant resources may be added as well.

  • Alabama Civil War Newspapers
    In honor of the Civil War sesquicentennial, ADAH has begun a project to make all of its newspapers from that era available online. These issues have been digitized from microfilm.
  • History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography
    The History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, written by Thomas McAdory Owen, was published in 1921 by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. The company had approached Dr. Owen in 1911 with a proposal that he produce a history and biographical dictionary of the state
  • Alabama Historical Quarterly
    Collection contains the 119 issues of the Alabama Historical Quarterly published by the Alabama Department of Archives and History in 1930 and between 1940 and 1982.
  • Alabama Writer’s Project Collection
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA), the principal relief agency of the second New Deal, was an attempt to provide work rather than welfare during the Great Depression. Under the WPA, buildings, roads, airports and schools were constructed.

Alabama Archives

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