Clarke County, Alabama and Its Surroundings, 1540-1877

This database contains a history of Clarke County, Alabama and its surroundings (including other areas of the southeast) from 1540 to 1877. Topics covered in this work include early travels and conflicts; Spanish, French, and English residents; American settlers; Indians of the Southeast; general topography; family records and sketches; and sketches of prominent individuals, among others. The author's purpose in creating this work was fourfold. The first was to place in a permanent form the incidents, traditions, and family recollections of some of the earlier settlers. The second was this local history in connection with others in one compact volume. The third purpose was to present a view of life in the southeast, and the fourth was to set forth the undeveloped resources of the county (p. 8-9).

Historical works contain valuable information that can be a great addition to your genealogical research. Although historical works may not mention your ancestors specifically, they do provide information on the time and place in which your ancestors lived, which will help you place your ancestors in a historical context.