Lee County was created by the Alabama legislature on Dec. 5, 1866. It was named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The county lies on the eastern part of the Black Belt. It is bordered by Chambers, Tallapoosa, Macon, and Russell counties, and on the east by the Chattahoochee River and the State of Georgia. It currently encompasses 609 square miles. The county seat is located at Opelika, which in the Creek Indian language means “big swamp.” Other towns and communities include Loachapoka and Auburn, the site of Auburn University.
Probate Office: 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801.
Research Support Groups: East Alabama Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 2892, Opelika, AL 36830. Publication: Tap Roots.
Among Records Held: Marriage, 1867–1936; Marriage Index by Female and Male, 1900–1979; Direct and Indirect Index to Real Estate Conveyances, 1867–1898; Deed Records, 1870–1895; Mortgage Records, 1871–1874; Wills, 1861–1931.