Find Morgan County Obituaries
Morgan County obituary records are available through The Decatur Daily, The Hartselle Enquirer, and the Morgan County Archives. Decatur serves as the county seat. The archives is one of the best resources in Alabama for genealogy research. It holds the oldest probate court records in the county, birth and death indexes from 1892-1912, mortality schedules from 1850-1885, and newspaper indexes from 1919-1977 including birth and death announcements. The Decatur Daily has published since 1919 and bound copies are at the archives. GenealogyBuffs.com has a Morgan County obituary collection.
Morgan County Quick Facts
Morgan County Probate Office
The Morgan County Probate Office handles estate matters, wills, and marriage records. When you cannot find an obituary, probate records often list family members and heirs.
The probate office is located on the 2nd floor of the Morgan County Courthouse. Their website requires a username and password to view documents.
| Mailing Address | Morgan County Probate Office, PO Box 848, Decatur, AL 35602 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2nd floor, Morgan County Courthouse |
| Website | morgancountyprobate.com |
| County Probate | morgancounty-al.gov/government/probate-office |
| Circuit Court | morgan.alacourt.gov |
Morgan County Archives
The Morgan County Archives is one of the best genealogy resources in Alabama. Located in the Bank Street-Old Decatur Historic District, it holds extensive records for obituary and family research.
| Address | 624 Bank Street N.E., Decatur, AL |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday - Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Research Fee | $15 in-state ($25 out-of-state) plus first 10 photocopies |
| Website | morgancounty-al.gov/departments-services/archives |
Key resources at the archives include:
- Birth and death indexes (1892-1912)
- Mortality schedules (1850-1885)
- Wills and estate probate records (1818-present)
- Newspaper indexes (1919-1977) including birth and death announcements
Morgan County Newspapers
Two newspapers serve Morgan County:
- The Decatur Daily - publishing since 1919, original bound copies at Archives
- The Hartselle Enquirer - publishing since 1926
For current obituaries, check Legacy.com for Morgan County listings. The archives has newspaper indexes covering 1919-1977. Earlier newspapers are available on microfilm.
Online Obituary Resources
Several online databases have Morgan County obituary records:
- GenealogyBuffs.com - Morgan County Obituary and Death Notices Collection
- Legacy.com - Morgan County section
- FamilySearch - Alabama Probate Records 1809-1985
- FamilySearch - Morgan County Probate Index 1820-1888
Morgan County Funeral Homes
Contact funeral homes in the Decatur area for obituary archives. Many funeral homes keep records going back decades and can help you find death notices even if they are not posted online.
Major cities with funeral homes include Decatur, Hartselle, Falkville, and Priceville.
How to Search Morgan County Obituaries
For recent obituaries, start with Legacy.com and search for Morgan County or Decatur, Alabama. Most obituaries from the past few years will appear in the results.
For older obituaries, the Morgan County Archives is your best resource. They have:
- The Decatur Daily and The Hartselle Enquirer on site
- Newspaper indexes covering 1919-1977
- Birth and death indexes from 1892-1912
- Probate records from 1818 to present
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 shows the date and cause of death along with burial information.
The archives charges $15 for in-state research ($25 for out-of-state) plus the first 10 photocopies. This is a small fee for access to one of the best genealogy collections in north Alabama.
Cities in Morgan County
Morgan County includes Decatur, Hartselle, Falkville, Priceville, Somerville, Eva, and several smaller communities. Decatur is the county seat and largest city.
Decatur is located on the Tennessee River and has grown into a major city in north Alabama. Hartselle is the second largest city in the county. Both The Decatur Daily and The Hartselle Enquirer serve the area and publish obituaries for local residents.
Funeral homes in Decatur serve the entire county. If you are not sure which funeral home to contact, start with funeral homes in Decatur or Hartselle. Most funeral homes now post obituaries on their websites within a day or two of services.
The Morgan County Archives in Decatur is one of the best genealogy resources in Alabama. If you plan to visit in person, their hours are Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 4 PM. The archives staff can help you search their newspaper indexes and probate records.
Nearby Counties
Some obituaries may appear in newspapers from neighboring counties. These counties border Morgan County.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find obituary records in Morgan County, Alabama.