Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy

About the Collections

This division specializes in the history of Mobile, Alabama along the coast from Pensacola to Pascagoula, and in genealogical records for the southeastern U. S. with emphasis on migration paths into Alabama. Our unique materials and expert staff can help you on your way. For information call (251) 208-7093 or e-mail at

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The Local History Collection includes works by local authors, Mobile histories, periodicals, an extensive clippings file, Mobile newspapers on microfilm 1819 to the present, city directories back to 1837, and the federal census records for most of the southeastern states. A recent addition to the collection is the Mobile Historic Development Commision's survey of historic architecture in Mobile with 10,000 images stored and indexed on CD-ROM.

The Local History Collection

Papers of the Panton, Leslie and Company trading firm established under Spanish rule
Raphael Semmes Family Papers (1859-1913) with the log of the CSS Alabama on microfilm
The Journal of Confederate S. S. Alabama: Our Cruise in the Confederate States' Steamer of War Alabama by George Townley Fullam, 1863
Records of the C.S.S Florida (1862-1864) on microfilm

Material in the Genealogy Collection

The Dawes Commission Indian Rolls
Index to confederate Pension Records for Alabama and Mississippi
Roster of Confederate Soldiers
Mobile county Probate Court Consolidated Judicial Index, 1819-1964

Helpful Agencies

For birth & death records from 1908 forward - Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, POB 5625, Montgomery, AL 36130. (Records of births and deaths prior to 1908 must be obtained from individual county health departments.)
Civil War pension files (Alabama records) - Alabama Department of Archives and History,624 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36130.
Adoption records - Alabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103.
Marriage Records for Mobile County - Mobile County Probate Court 109 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602.
Marriage Records and Deeds for Baldwin County - Baldwin County Probate Court

CSS Alabama

Online Resources

The Mobile Register on NewsBank - Full text for Mobile news from 1993 to the present, including obituaries, is now available at Main Library and the West Regional Branch.
AncestryPlus is now at all Mobile Public Library locations! You can now have instant access to millions of names and thousands of databases including Census Index, Periodical Source Index, American Genealogical-Biographical Index, UMI Obituraries and Marriage Records for 25 states.
Limited, free access is available from anywhere at Ancestry.com.

Links of Interest

AccessGenealogy - Dawes Final Rolls and more! Includes many sources for Native American and African American genealogy
The Alabama Department Of Archives and History - information on their collections and how to make a request!
Alabama Historic Postcards
Alabama Historical Commission - info on historic sites, historic properties for sale, news and events
Alabama History Links - from Auburn University, some great material on our state's history.
Alabama Lighthouse Association
AlabamaMosaic - The purpose of AlabamaMosaic is to make unique historical treasures from Alabama's archives, libraries, museums, and other repositories electronically accessible to Alabama residents as well as scholars throughout the world.
The Alabama Supreme Court on Slaves - an annotated list of the Alabama Supreme Court's decisions on slaves from statehood through 1865.
American Notes: Travels in America 1750-1920 - The Library of Congress American Memory Project compiled 253 published narratives by Americans and foreign visitors and the 32 vol. set of manuscript sources Early Western Travels, 1748-1846.
Beginner's Guide to Family History Research - Everyone has ancestors, and if you're wondering who yours are, it's time to get involved in family history and genealogy research. This is the place for you to start!
Bellingrath Gardens - learn the history of the house and gardens, get ticket and event info and find out what's in bloom!
CSS Alabama - photos, documents and a virtual cruise from the W. S. Hoole Special Collections Library at the University of Alabama
CSS Hunley Website
Census for 1930 Online - A comprehensive guide to the 1930 census. Learn how the census was taken, which records survive today, and how to find microfilm that may contain your family's records. The locator is an online database listing every roll of microfilm in the 1930 census, searchable by over 120,000 geographic locations. It is not a family or individual name index or a digital version of the microfilm.
Deathindexes.com - online searchable death and obituary indexes by state, some links require a subscription to Ancestry.com if you are accessing from outside the library
The Denbigh Project - the archaeology and history of a Confederate blockade runner in Mobile Bay
eHistory.com - many primary sources are transcribed in this searchable site such as diaries, letters, photos and official records.
Exploration of the Phoenix Wreck via FSU
Fort Blakeley - visitor info, a brief history of the fort and the town, regimental lists and links including a history of the Hawkins' Division of Black Troops, and more.
Fort Gaines - visitor info, a brief history of the fort, and bibliographies on Mobile and Alabama during the Civil War.
Genealogy Links - for an incredible wealth of information and help in preparing your family tree!
Historic Mobile Preservation Society and Oakleigh Period House - get info on Oakleigh and take a virtual tour, learn about preservation in Mobile, the archives and see historic Mardi Gras pictures
Historical and Genealogical Societies in Alabama - from The Alabama Department of Archives and History
Investigations of the Ivanhoe - Remote Sensing Investigations of the Civil War Blockade Runner Ivanhoe
Land Patent Search - search Land Office Records from the bureau of Land Managment
Legacy.com - search current obituaries from over 300 newspapers, includes celebrities and Social Security Death Index
Maps from the University of Alabama - Historical and contemporary maps plus Aerial photography from all over the world. Great for Alabama History school projects and genealogists, too!
Mobile Area Museums Association
Mobile County Probate Court - get info on how to get marriage, judicial and property records. Over 3mil records online.
Mobile Historic Development Commision - design guidelines, historic marker program, endangered properties. Now featuring We Built This City: Tradesmen, Builders & Architects, 1837-1940 -
3 searchable lists including including Building Permits issued 1905-1940.
Mobile Municipal Archives - get info on their holdings as well as hours and location.
National African-American Archives - Committed to the preservation of African-American history
New Orleans Archival Repositories
Old Mobile Archaeology
Spring Hill College Archives
Universtiy of Alabama Birmingham Historical Collections
University of South Alabama Archives - an overview of the collection, policies, publications, etc.
University of Southern Mississippi Archives - a guide for those interested in family, business, church and organizational records of the region including 10,000 cubic feet of manuscripts and 55,000 photos
University of West Florida Special Collections - a major repository dealing with the Gulf Coast
World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel from Alabama

images of the CSS Alabama and Historic Fort Louis courtesy of Alabama Dept. of Archives and History