Lawrence County Obituary Records
Lawrence County obituary records are available through the Lawrence County Archives, local newspapers, and funeral homes in Moulton. The county has one of the best archival systems in Alabama. Records go back to 1810, making this an excellent resource for family history research. The Moulton Advertiser publishes current death notices. The Lawrence County Archives in downtown Moulton holds records from county offices dating before 1920, including probate court files, court records, and family Bible records. For older obituary searches, start with the archives.
Lawrence County Quick Facts
Lawrence County Probate Court
The Lawrence County Probate Court handles estate matters, wills, and marriage records. The court has records dating back to 1810, among the oldest in Alabama. When you cannot find an obituary, probate records often list family members and heirs.
Lawrence County has marriage records from 1810, divorce records from 1810, probate records from 1810, and land records from 1810. This makes it one of the most complete record sets in the state.
| Address | 14451 Market St, Moulton, AL 35650 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 974-2439 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Circuit Court | lawrence.alacourt.gov |
Lawrence County Archives
The Lawrence County Archives is one of the best resources in the state for family history research. Located in downtown Moulton, the archives holds records from county offices dating before 1920.
The archives includes records from:
- Chancery/Circuit Court
- Orphans/Probate Court
- County Court
- Commission Court
The archives also maintains family Bible records (copies) and family histories. These can help you find death dates and family connections when obituaries are not available.
| Website | lawrencecoarchives.com |
|---|---|
| Focus | Records generated by county public offices prior to 1920 |
Lawrence County Newspapers
The Moulton Advertiser is the main newspaper serving Lawrence County. It publishes obituaries for residents throughout the county.
For current obituaries, check Legacy.com for Lawrence County listings. GenealogyBuffs.com has a Lawrence County obituary collection that covers historical records. The USGenWeb Archives Project also has transcribed death notices.
Libraries with newspaper database access can help you search Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank for historical Lawrence County obituaries.
Lawrence County History and Preservation Society
The Lawrence County History and Preservation Society helps with local history and genealogy research. They can assist you in finding obituary information and other family records.
| Mailing Address | PO Box 343, Moulton, AL 35650 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 974-1757 |
| lchps21@gmail.com |
How to Search Lawrence County Obituaries
For recent obituaries, start with Legacy.com and search for Lawrence County or Moulton, Alabama. Most obituaries from the past few years will appear in the results. You can also check funeral home websites directly.
For older obituaries, try these resources:
- Lawrence County Archives - lawrencecoarchives.com
- FamilySearch - Alabama Probate Records 1809-1985
- FamilySearch - Marriage records from 1818
- FamilySearch - Probate records from 1818
- GenealogyBuffs.com - Lawrence County collection
- Find a Grave - burial records for county cemeteries
- Newspapers.com - historical newspaper archives (subscription)
- GenealogyBank - historical newspapers (subscription)
The archives website has a searchable database that can help you find records. Contact them directly for research assistance. Staff members can help with research for a fee if you cannot visit in person.
Lawrence County has records going back to 1810, which is among the oldest in Alabama. The archives focuses on preserving records from before 1920. For more recent records, contact the probate court directly.
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. Death certificates show the date and cause of death along with burial information.
If you know the approximate death date, you can search The Moulton Advertiser archives for the obituary. Local libraries may have microfilm copies of historical newspapers that you can search for free.
Cities in Lawrence County
Lawrence County includes Moulton, Town Creek, Courtland, Hatton, Hillsboro, and several smaller communities. All residents use Lawrence County resources for obituary research.
Moulton is the county seat and has the main archival resources. The Lawrence County Archives is a must-visit for serious genealogy research. Town Creek and Courtland are other larger towns in the county.
If you are looking for an obituary and do not know which town the person lived in, start with funeral homes in Moulton. They often serve the entire county. The Moulton Advertiser also covers all towns in the county.
Nearby Counties
Some obituaries may appear in newspapers from neighboring counties. These counties border Lawrence County.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find obituary records in Lawrence County, Alabama.