Franklin County was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on Feb. 6, 1818. It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. It is situated in the northwestern part of the state, and is bordered by Colbert, Lawrence, Winston, and Marion counties in Alabama, and by Tishomingo and Itawamba counties, Mississippi. It currently encompasses 643 square miles. The county seat was originally located at Russellville, named after William Russell, an early settler and chief scout for Gen. Andrew Jackson during the Creek Indian War of 1813–1814. In 1849, the county seat was transferred to Frankfort, where it remained until 1879 when it was moved to Belgreen. A courthouse fire in 1890 probably accounted for the relocation of the county seat to Russellville in 1891. Other towns and communities include Red Bay, Phil Campbell and Vina.
Probate Office: 410 N Jackson, P. O. Box 70, Russellville, AL 35653.
Research Support Groups: Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 1568, Huntsville, AL 35807. Publication: Valley Leaves.
Among Records Held: Marriage Records and Indices, 1890–1959; Deed Record, 1890–1903; Wills, 1890–1943.