Lamar County Obituary Records
Lamar County obituary records can be found through local newspapers, funeral homes, and the Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society. The county was originally named Sanford County but changed to Lamar County in 1877. Vernon serves as the county seat. The Lamar Democrat and Sulligent News publish death notices for area residents. Funeral homes in Vernon maintain obituary records going back many years. The probate court has marriage records from 1867-1997 and can help with estate files that list family members. For those researching family history, the USGenWeb Archives and FamilySearch have additional records.
Lamar County Quick Facts
Lamar County Probate Court
The Lamar County Probate Court handles estate matters, wills, and probate records. When you cannot find an obituary, probate records often list family members and heirs. The court shares the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Pickens counties.
The probate office maintains marriage records from 1867 to 1997, probate records, and land records. Divorce and court records are available through the Circuit Clerk at the same courthouse.
| Address | Highway 17, Vernon, AL 35592 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 338, Vernon, AL 35592 |
| Phone | (205) 695-9119 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Circuit Court | lamar.alacourt.gov |
The Lamar County government website at lamarcountyal.gov has information about county services and offices.
Lamar County Newspapers
Two newspapers serve Lamar County and publish obituaries for local residents. The Lamar Democrat covers Vernon and the surrounding area. The Sulligent News serves the eastern part of the county. Both papers have been serving the community for many years.
For current obituaries, check these newspapers directly or search Legacy.com for Lamar County. Libraries with newspaper database access can help you search historical issues. Your local library may have subscriptions to Newspapers.com or GenealogyBank that let you search old papers for free.
The USGenWeb Archives at algenweb.org/lamar has transcribed obituaries from older newspapers. These free resources can help you find death notices from years past. Volunteers have typed out obituaries from old papers to make them searchable online.
When searching old papers, keep in mind that spelling of names may vary. Try different spellings if your first search does not work. Also check papers from nearby towns if you cannot find what you need in Lamar County papers.
Lamar County Funeral Homes
Funeral homes in Vernon and surrounding towns post obituaries on their websites. If you know which funeral home handled services, check their site first. Many keep archives going back several years.
Contact funeral homes in Vernon to ask about obituary archives. They can often help you find death notices even if they are not posted online. Some funeral homes have records going back decades.
Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society
The Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society helps with family history research. They maintain records and can assist you in finding obituary information.
| Mailing Address | PO Box 357, Vernon, AL 35592-0357 |
|---|---|
| lamarhistory@gmail.com |
The society can point you toward local resources and may have information not available online. Contact them if you hit a dead end in your research.
How to Search Lamar County Obituaries
Start your search with Legacy.com for recent obituaries. Search by name and filter by Lamar County or Vernon, Alabama. Most death notices from the past ten years can be found this way.
For older obituaries, try these resources:
- USGenWeb Archives - algenweb.org/lamar
- FamilySearch - Alabama Probate Records 1809-1985
- Find a Grave - burial records for Lamar County cemeteries
- Newspapers.com - historical newspaper archives (subscription)
- GenealogyBank - historical newspapers (subscription)
- Ancestry.com - obituary collections and newspaper archives
FamilySearch has probate records that can help when you cannot find an obituary. These records list family members and can provide dates that help narrow your newspaper search. Probate files often name heirs, spouses, and children.
Find a Grave is a free site with burial records for most Lamar County cemeteries. Many entries include photos of headstones and some have obituary text. If you know where someone is buried, you can use the death date to search newspaper archives.
Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death certificates are restricted for 25 years. After that period, anyone can request a copy from the Alabama Department of Public Health for $15. The certificate will show the date and cause of death.
If you need help with your search, contact the Lamar County Genealogical and Historical Society. They know local resources and can point you in the right direction. The probate court staff can also help you find estate records that may list family members.
Cities in Lamar County
Lamar County includes Vernon, Sulligent, Kennedy, Millport, and smaller communities. All residents use Lamar County resources for obituary research.
The county is rural with a small population spread across several towns. Funeral homes in Vernon often serve the entire county, so start your search there if you are unsure which funeral home to contact.
Nearby Counties
Some obituaries may appear in newspapers from neighboring counties. These counties border Lamar County.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find obituary records in Lamar County, Alabama.