Jefferson County was created by the Alabama legislature on Dec. 13, 1819. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county is located in the north-central portion of the state, on the southern extension of the Appalachians, in the center of the iron, coal and limestone belt of the South. Jefferson County is bordered by Blount, Bibb, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties. It encompasses 1,119 square miles. The county seat was at Carrollsville from 1819–1821, at Elyton from 1821–1873, and since 1873 has been at Birmingham, which was named for England’s iron and steel center in Warwickshire. Other towns and communities include Bessemer, Homewood, Hueytown, Mountain Brook, Hoover, Fultondale, Trussville, and Warrior.
Probate Judge Offices: 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Birmingham, AL 35203; (Bessemer) 1801 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, 35020.
Research Support Groups: Birmingham Genealogical Society and Black Study Group, P. O. Box 2432, Birmingham, AL 35201. Publication: Pioneer Trails.
Among Records Held: Marriages, 1867–1937; Direct and Reverse Index to Deeds and Mortgages, 1812–1902; Deed Records, 1820–1901; Mortgage Records, 1887–1902; Orphan Court Records, 1818–1855; Divorce Reports, 1922–1926; Wills, 1818–1840, 1856–1926.
Other: Apprenticeship, 1885–1915; Dower Records, 1872–1891; General Index, Estates, 1898–1933; Estate Records, 1916–1928; Estate Case File, 1852–1936; Guardian Records, 1916–1928; Index to Probate Files, 1868–1937; Probate Court Minutes, 1851–1928.