Alabama, Estate Files, 1830-1976

What is in This Collection?

This collection consists of estate case files created by the probate courts of Alabama counties. Probates were generally recorded in the county of residence. This collection includes probate records created 1830-1976, but the content and time period of the records will vary by county. Files from Madison, Monroe and Talladega counties have not been indexed, but are arranged in alphabetical order by the deceased’s name. Additional records may be added to this collection. Probate records fall into two general categories: wills and estate papers. The records include petitions, inventories, accounts, decrees, oaths of executors, forms about guardians and other court documents. Most records mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children may be given, as well as married names of daughters. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but a death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate.

Probate records are used to legally dispose of a person’s estate after his or her death. The probate process transfers the legal responsibility for payment of taxes, care and custody of dependent family members, liquidation of debts, and transfer of property title. The transfer is to an executor or executrix if the deceased had made a will, to an administrator or administratrix if the deceased had not made a will, or to a guardian or conservator if the deceased had heirs under the age of twenty-one or if heirs were incompetent due to disease or disability. Most probate records were created on a county level, though many were later sent to the Archives. The contents of probate records vary greatly depending on the prevailing law and the personality of the record keeper. The death date, residence, and other facts that were current at the time of the probate proceeding are quite reliable, though there is still a chance of misinformation. The records may omit the names of deceased family members and those who have previously received an inheritance, or the spouse mentioned may not be the parent of the children mentioned.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

To Browse This Collection

What Can These Records Tell Me?

Estate files may include:

• The name of the testator or deceased
• Event year
• Event place
• Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
• Sometimes the date of death

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1856 Appointment of Executor

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  1857 List of debts

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  1856 Inventory of property