DeKalb County was created by the Alabama legislature on Jan. 9, 1836, from land ceded to the Federal government by the Cherokee Nation. It was named for Maj. Gen. John Baron DeKalb, a hero of the American Revolution. The county is located in the northeast corner of the state, and is bordered on the north by Jackson County, on the west by Marshall County, on the south by Etowah and Cherokee counties, and on the east by the State of Georgia. It currently encompasses 778 square miles. The county seat is Fort Payne. Other towns and communities include Collinsville, Crossville, Fyffe, Mentone, and Valley Head.
Probate Office: 300 Grand Avenue South Suites 100, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
Research Support Groups: DeKalb County Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 681087, Fort Payne, AL 35968–1612.
Among Records Held: Voter Lists, 1902–1930*; Marriages, 1836–1927, (A–Z)**; Direct and Reverse Index to Deeds and Mortgages, 1835–1900; Deed Record, 1835–1901, 1881–1883***; Poll Tax, 1901–1960 (m), 1920–1960 (f); Wills, 1839–1931.
*Birthdates are given on most records; **Males precede females; ***Also contains mortgages records.
Other: Estates Case File, 1836–1916; Final Record, 1838–1868; Divorce, 1836–1916; Naturalization Record, 1890–1912; Child Labor Index, 1908–1915; Child Labor Affidavits, 1912–1913; Index to Probate Records,1838–1930; Probate Minutes, 1858–1929.