Sumter County Obituary Records
Sumter County obituary records can be found through the Sumter County Record Journal newspaper and local funeral homes in the Livingston area. The newspaper publishes free obituaries that come from mortuaries, the probate judge, or companies handling arrangements. The Probate Court maintains estate records dating back to 1833 and limited birth records from 1888-1918. FamilySearch has digitized will books from 1828-1938 and estate papers from 1832-1953. GenealogyBank offers searchable archives of the Record-Journal obituaries online.
Sumter County Quick Facts
Sumter County Probate Court
The Sumter County Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, and related filings. When obituaries are unavailable, probate records may provide names of heirs and family members. The court has records going back to the county's founding in 1832.
| Physical Address | 115 Marshall St, Probate Annex, Livingston, AL 35470 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Drawer 1040, Livingston, AL 35470 |
| Phone | (205) 652-7281 |
| Fax | (205) 652-6206 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST |
| Website | sumtercountyal.com |
The Probate Judge maintains several types of records:
- Birth records (1888-1918, limited)
- Marriage records from 1833
- Probate records from 1833
- Land records and historical voters maps
Under Alabama Code Title 12, Chapter 13, probate courts have jurisdiction over estate matters statewide.
Sumter County Newspapers
The Sumter County Record Journal is the main newspaper serving the county. It publishes obituaries at no charge, provided they come from a mortuary, the probate judge, or a company handling funeral arrangements.
| Newspaper | Sumter County Record Journal |
|---|---|
| Website | recordjournal.net |
The paper's obituary section is available online. GenealogyBank also has a searchable archive of Sumter County Record-Journal obituaries for historical research.
Legacy.com aggregates obituaries from the Sumter County area. Search by name and filter by Alabama to find local death notices.
Sumter County Records Research
Researching Sumter County obituaries involves checking multiple sources. The county is rural and historical newspapers may not be fully digitized.
The Sumter County Public Library can assist with local research. Rural libraries often have resources not available online and staff who know local history.
FamilySearch Sumter County Records
FamilySearch has digitized historical Sumter County records available for free. These include:
- Will Books (1828-1938)
- Estate Papers (1832-1953)
- Alabama Probate Records collection (1809-1985)
These probate records often contain family information when obituaries cannot be found. Will records name heirs. Estate papers may include family relationships and details about the deceased.
Sumter County Funeral Homes
Funeral homes in the Livingston area serve Sumter County families. Contact them directly for obituary information. Many maintain records even if they do not post everything online.
Because Sumter County is rural, some families use funeral homes in neighboring counties. If you cannot find records locally, check funeral homes in Demopolis, Eutaw, or other nearby towns.
The Record Journal publishes obituaries for free when submitted by funeral homes or the probate judge. This policy means most local obituaries appear in the paper.
How to Search Sumter County Obituaries
Start with the Sumter County Record Journal obituary section. Their website has current and some past obituaries searchable online.
GenealogyBank has archived obituaries from the Record-Journal. A subscription is required, but many libraries provide free access to GenealogyBank.
Legacy.com aggregates death notices from newspapers and funeral homes. Search by name and filter by Alabama or Sumter County specifically.
FamilySearch is free and has Sumter County probate records:
- Will Books from 1828 to 1938
- Estate Papers from 1832 to 1953
The USGenWeb Archives Project has contributed materials for Sumter County. Volunteers have transcribed records over the years, providing free resources for research.
Find a Grave lists burial records for Sumter County cemeteries. Use burial information to narrow newspaper searches to specific time periods.
Death certificates from Alabama are restricted for 25 years under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21. The fee is $15 for the first copy from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Nearby Counties
Sumter County borders several other Alabama counties and Mississippi. Obituaries may have appeared in newspapers from neighboring areas.
Start Your Search
Use the search tool below to find obituary records in Sumter County, Alabama.