Search Perry County Obituaries
Perry County obituary records are available through the Demopolis Times newspaper and local funeral homes in the Marion area. The Probate Court at 300 Washington Street maintains estate files and related documents that can assist with death record research. Perry County has records dating back to the early 1820s, though the online search system has been offline at times. Local libraries and the Perry County Historical and Preservation Society hold additional resources. Funeral homes in and around Marion post recent obituaries on their websites. For older records, FamilySearch has digitized probate materials going back to 1821.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Probate Court
The Perry County Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, and various recorded documents. If you cannot find an obituary through newspaper sources, probate records may list family members and heirs. These files can be useful for piecing together family connections when obituaries are unavailable.
The Probate Judge office uses Syscon software to index public records electronically. However, the county website notes that their search software has been down at times. You may need to call or visit in person for record searches.
| Address | 300 Washington Street, Marion, AL 36756 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 683-2210 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | perrycountyal.gov |
Under Alabama Code Section 12-13-1, probate courts maintain jurisdiction over estate matters. The Perry County Probate Court has will records from 1821 and estate inventories from 1823. These records are public after appropriate time periods have passed.
Perry County Newspapers
The Demopolis Times serves Perry County along with Marengo, Sumter, Greene, and Hale counties. This regional newspaper publishes obituaries for the broader area.
Finding historical obituaries in Perry County takes some digging. The county is rural and smaller newspapers may not have been digitized. Your best options for historical research include:
- FamilySearch has probate records from 1821-1859 (Orphans' Records)
- Probate Records covering 1859-1929
- Estate inventories from 1823-1925
- Will records from 1821-1932
For current obituaries, check Legacy.com's Perry County section. Funeral homes in the Marion area also post death notices on their websites and social media pages.
Perry County Records Research
When searching for Perry County obituaries, combine multiple sources for best results. The probate court has an index covering 1832 to 1975 that can help locate estate files.
The Perry County Historical and Preservation Society is another valuable resource. Located at 204 W Monroe St in Marion, they can assist with local history research. Call them at (334) 292-0319 for help finding older obituary records.
Perry County Funeral Homes
Funeral homes in the Marion area handle services for Perry County residents. Contact these businesses directly for recent obituary information. Many maintain archives of past services.
When you know which funeral home handled arrangements, check their website first. Smaller funeral homes may keep obituaries on file but not post them online. A phone call can often get you the information you need faster than online searches.
For services in nearby cities, funeral homes in Demopolis or Selma may have handled arrangements for Perry County residents. The county's rural nature means families sometimes use funeral homes in neighboring areas.
How to Search Perry County Obituaries
Start with Legacy.com for recent Perry County obituaries. The site aggregates death notices from newspapers and funeral homes across the country. Search by name and filter by Alabama.
For historical records, FamilySearch offers free access to Perry County probate materials. Their collection includes:
- Orphans' Records (1821-1859)
- Probate Records (1859-1929)
- Inventories (1823-1925)
- Index covering 1832-1975
- Will Records (1821-1932)
The USGenWeb Archives Project has contributed materials for Perry County. Volunteers have transcribed and uploaded various records over the years. These free resources can supplement your research.
Find a Grave is useful for locating burial information. Once you have a burial date and cemetery, you can narrow down newspaper dates to search for obituaries.
Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death certificates are restricted for 25 years after the date of death. After that period, anyone can request a copy from the Alabama Department of Public Health for $15.
Nearby Counties
Perry County borders several other Alabama counties. Obituaries for Perry County residents sometimes appeared in newspapers from these neighboring areas.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find obituary records in Perry County, Alabama.