Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)Edit This Page

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FamilySearch Record Search This article describes a collection of historical records available at FamilySearch.org.

Contents

Record Description

This Collection will include records from 1870 to 1916.

These records from the Jefferson County Circuit Court are loose papers pertaining to disputed estates and property. They also include some divorce records.

For a list of records by case number currently published in this collection, select the Browselink from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

"Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916." Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing Jefferson County Circuit Court, Birmingham.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content

  • Alabama, Jefferson Court Files

  • Court Record page 1

  • Court Record page 2

  • Court Record page 3

Key genealogical facts found in this collection may include:

  • Names of interested parties
  • Date of court proceeding or transaction
  • Details of the case
  • Place of residence
  • Names of witnesses

How to Use the Record

To browse this collection you will need to follow this series of links:
⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page
⇒Select the "County" category
⇒Select the "Record Type and Volume" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the information:

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example:

  • Use the date and locality to search for census and church records.
  • Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
  • Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
  • When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Tips to keep in mind:

  • Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after 1900.
  • There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.
  • Witnesses in court cases may be close relatives.

Unable to find your ancestor?

  • Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
  • Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local historical and genealogical groups also compile indexes to local records.
  • Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. Guidelines are available to help you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide. If you would like to get more involved join the WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

When you copy information from a record, you should 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 Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection

“Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-24048-42481-59?cc=1548510&wc=MMMD-Q24:n1816862061: accessed 2 August 2012), Jefferson > Loose records box 8880, case 2048-box 8880, case 2080 > image 17 of 419, case involving Viola De La Fayette vs. Charlie M. De La Fayette, 9 August 1897; citing Jefferson County Circuit Court. Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Files. Jefferson County Court House, Birmingham, Alabama.

Retrieved from "https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Alabama,_Jefferson_County_Circuit_Court_Files_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)"

 

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  • This page was last modified on 5 April 2013, at 15:40.
  • This page has been accessed 1,131 times.