Alabama Genealogy

Shelby County Alabama History and Profile:

Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2009 U.S. Census estimated the population was 192,503. Shelby County ranks among the 100 highest-income counties in the United States. Shelby County’s growth has accompanied the decline of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The county’s newspaper is the Shelby County Reporter.

Shelby County was established on February 7, 1818, and named for Governor Isaac Shelby (1750–1826), of Kentucky.

Shelby County is home to Oak Mountain State Park, the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area, and American Village.

Source: Wikipedia.

Cities and Towns of Shelby County, Alabama:

* Alabaster
* Birmingham (part of Birmingham is in Jefferson County)
* Calera (part of Calera is in Chilton County)
* Chelsea
* Childersburg (part of Childersburg is in Talladega County)
* Columbiana
* Harpersville
* Helena (part of Helena is in Jefferson County)
* Hoover (part of Hoover is in Jefferson County)
* Indian Springs Village
* Inverness
* Lake Purdy
* Leeds (part of Leeds is in Jefferson County and in St. Clair County)
* Meadowbrook
* Montevallo
* Pelham
* Saginaw
* Shelby (east of Calera)
* Sterrett (northwest of Vincent)
* Vandiver (northeast of Chelsea)
* Vincent (part of Vincent is in St. Clair County and in Talladega County)
* Westover
* Wilsonville
* Wilton

Shelby County Government

Shelby County Alabama Government – Official Site

Albert L. Scott Library
100 9th Street Nw
Alabaster, AL 35007

Calera Public Library
1241 17th Avenue
Calera, AL 35040

Chelsea Public Library
16623 Highway 280
Chelsea, AL 35043

Columbiana Public Library
50 Lester Street
Columbiana, AL 35051

Harrison Regional Library System
50 Lester Street
Columbiana, AL 35051

Helena Public Library
230 Tucker Road
Helena, AL 35080

North Shelby Library
5521 Cahaba Valley Road
Birmingham, AL 35242

Parnell Memorial Library
845 Valley Street
Montevallo, AL 35115

Pelham Public Library
3160 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124

Wilsonville Public Library
Main Street P.O. Box 24
Wilsonville, AL 35186

Vincent McGraw Library
42860 Highway 25
Vincent, AL 35115
Phone 672-2749
FAX 672-2749
Mon & Thurs 12-6
Tues & Wed 10-4
Sat 8-12

Shelby County Historic Places

Alabama Girls’ Industrial School
Calera Downtown Historic District
Chancellor House
Columbiana City Hall
Helena Historic District
King House
McKibbon House
Old Rock House

Shelby County Genealogy Resources

Shelby County Alabama USGenweb Site

Shelby County, Alabama USGenWeb archives

Shelby County Genealogy page at KindredTrails

Vital Records

If you are outside the state of Alabama and are looking to request copies of vital records you must contact the statewide office of vital records:

Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
(334) 206-5418
Fax: (334) 262-9563

You can also call (334) 206-5418

There were no birth certificates prior to 1908, some counties may have recorded births in a ledger however. One way to search this centrally is by contacting:

Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Ave
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-4363

Birth and Death Records have been recorded in Alabama since 1908, Marriage Records since August 1936 and Divorces since 1950.

Census

1850 Federal Census Index & Transcription

1880 Federal Census Transcription – Mortality Schedule

Tax Records

Cemeteries

USGS listing of Cemeteries in Shelby County

Shelby County Cemetery Transcriptions
Cemetery Transcriptions (Although both are usgenweb this seems a slightly different listing.)

Query Forums

Genealogy Forums can be a great way to find other people that are researching the same ancestors as you are. Even if they may be not be researching the same direct line but related lines you may find information that is useful in your own research. Make sure to verify any other research that you add to your own research and try to document it well. If asking questions in genealogy forums it is good to provide as much information as possible and in the subject of the posting try to give name and a date or range of dates to help make your query more likely to be found. Posts with titles like “looking for family” or “help!” are too generic and something along the lines of “John Smith b. abt 1828 md. Hannah Jones” would be more helpful to get your post read by those that are interested in the John Smith/Hannah Jones family.

Shelby County, AL at
genforum

News Related to Shelby County, AL

“Shelby County” al – Google News

Alabaster City School District officially starting July 1, separate from … – al.com (blog)

Alabaster City School District officially starting July 1, separate from … al.com (blog) ALABASTER, Alabama — In a vote approaching two years in the making, the Alabaster Board of Education unanimously approved an agreement tonight to officially separate from the Shelby County School District. The action that came with no audible reaction … and more »

Helena chosen for Alabama Communities of Excellence – Shelby County Reporter

Helena chosen for Alabama Communities of Excellence Shelby County Reporter Helena recently was named one of only six cities in the state to be chosen for the Alabama Communities of Excellence program for 2013, Helena Mayor Mark Hall announced on May 21. Through the program, which is open to cities with populations ranging …

Lane closures scheduled on Alabama 119 this week – Shelby County Reporter

Lane closures scheduled on Alabama 119 this week Shelby County Reporter “ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction operation to improve Alabama's roadways.” For up-to-date information on road projects in Shelby County, visit Dot.state.al.us/mcrweb/road_advisories.htm and click the “Division 3” tab …

Shelby County school construction includes safety upgrades starting in Montevallo – al.com (blog)

Shelby County school construction includes safety upgrades starting in Montevallo al.com (blog) SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama — As the Shelby County School District continues development of a safety plan for its facilities, construction is getting ready to start on improvements that will secure front entrances at buildings. Randy_Fuller_mug.jpg Shelby …

Shelby County Arts Council prepares Summer Performance Series – al.com (blog)

Shelby County Arts Council prepares Summer Performance Series al.com (blog) SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama — The Shelby County Arts Council is getting ready to start its Summer Performance Series with a variety of shows lined up for the season. Shelby Summer Series edit.jpg. Performances include the South City Theater's stage … and more »

Shelby County School District awards top education support personnel – al.com (blog)

Shelby County School District awards top education support personnel al.com (blog) COLUMBIANA, Alabama — Approaching her 19th year as a custodian at Valley Elementary in Pelham, Penny Ellison didn't expect to earn recognition for her work, let alone an award for being Shelby County School District's top education support worker this …

Popularity: 18% [?]

Popularity: 18% [?]