Cherokee County AL

Cherokee County, Alabama, established on January 9, 1836, is named after the Cherokee Native American tribe, reflecting its significant indigenous history before forced removals such as the Trail of Tears. Located in the northeastern part of the state, its county seat, Centre, serves as a focal point for the region’s historical and genealogical records. The county’s geography is marked by its location within the Appalachian Mountain range, offering a diverse landscape that has influenced settlement and economic patterns, including agriculture and later, textile manufacturing. Cherokee County’s creation was part of the broader efforts to organize Alabama’s territory during a period of rapid expansion and settlement by European-American settlers in the 19th century. For genealogists, the county provides a rich tapestry of records that include land transactions, military records from conflicts such as the Civil War, and vital statistics that are invaluable for tracing lineage and understanding the complex interplay of different communities within the region. The presence of significant waterways, like the Coosa River, further highlights the county’s role in the transportation and economic activities of northeastern Alabama, offering additional layers of historical context for genealogical research.