Butler County
Alabama Genealogy & History Network

Welcome to Butler County ALGHN

Welcome to the Butler County Alabama Genealogy & History Network website providing free information to genealogical and historical researchers.

To share your Butler County, Alabama genealogy or history information, send an email to alghn@outlook.com - we will be pleased to include it here. If you have information to share for other Alabama Counties, visit the Alabama Genealogy & History Network state website and choose the appropriate county.

About Butler County, Alabama...

Butler County, Alabama is in the south-central part of the state and was created by an act of the Alabama Legislature on February 9, 1819. The name of Fairfield was first proposed for this county, but ultimately it was named for General William Butler, a hero of the War of 1812. The city of Greenville is the county seat.

The precise date of the first settlement made by whites in Butler County is unclear. Some have it as early as 1814, but the earliest settler of no dispute is James K. Benson, who settled in the Flat in 1815, where he built a log house near the current location of Pine Flat Methodist Church. He was soon followed by William Ogly and John Dickerson and their families, who settled on the Federal Road, some 3 miles (5 km) south of where later Fort Dale was built. In the fall of 1816, a group of people from Georgia settled in a tent camp in Pine Flat, and the year after, another group settled near Fort Dale.

In the early 19th century, Butler County was primarily agricultural, with cotton being the main crop grown. The county was home to several small towns and communities, but its population was relatively sparse.

During the Civil War, Butler County was a center of Confederate activity, and several skirmishes took place in the area. After the war, the county underwent significant changes as former slaves were granted freedom and the county underwent a process of Reconstruction. The economy shifted from agriculture to industry, with the establishment of sawmills, gristmills, and other businesses in the area.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Butler County experienced steady growth and development, with the growth of its cities and towns, the expansion of its transportation network, and the growth of its industry and commerce. The county was also a center of activity during the Civil Rights Movement, with several protests and demonstrations taking place in the 1960s.

In recent years, Butler County has continued to grow and develop, with a focus on economic development and improving quality of life for its residents. The county is home to several major industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education, and is a popular location for retirees and outdoor enthusiasts, with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and other natural attractions.

Neighboring counties are Lowndes County (north), Crenshaw County (east), Covington County (southeast), Conecuh County (southwest), Monroe County (west), and Wilcox County (northwest). Communities in the county include Greenville, Georgiana, McKenzie, Bolling, Chapman, Forest Home, Garland, Industry, Pine Flat, Saucer, Spring Hill, and Wald.

Butler County, Alabama Records

Alabama Genealogy & History Network has many records on our county websites - marriage records, cemetery listings, etc. Please visit the county or counties of interest to you.

Birth Records - The Alabama Department of Public Health maintains records of births from 1908 to present. This was the year Alabama began keeping official birth records. You can obtain official copies of birth certificates by visiting the birth record page on their website and following the instructions. Since there are no official birth records before 1908 for births prior to that date you will need to determine birth information from census records, bible records, baptismal records, cemetery tombstones, etc.

Death Records - The Alabama Department of Public Health maintains death records after 1908 on file. This was the year Alabama began keeping official death records. You can obtain official copies of death certificates by visiting the death record page on their website and following the instructions. Since there are no official death records before 1908 for deaths prior to that date you will need to determine death information from census records, bible records, funeral home records, cemetery tombstones, etc.

Marriage Records - We have thousands of county marriage records on our county websites. These dates will assist you greatly in obtaining a copy of the original marriage license. The Alabama Department of Public Health can provide you with information for marriages that took place from 1936 to present by by visiting the marriage record page on their website and following the instructions.

All existing county marriage records for any date not listed above (and for the dates listed above for that matter) may be obtained from the county's Probate Office in which the marriage was held.

Divorce Records - The Alabama Department of Public Health maintains divorce records from 1950 to present. You can obtain official copies of devorce records by visiting the divorce record page on their website and following the instructions. Records for divorces occuring before 1950 may be obtained from the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce took place.