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Shelby County Historical Society, Inc.
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 Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. ~ Museum & Archives |
Shelby County Historical Society, Inc.
The Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, collection, and preservation of all things related to the history of Shelby County Alabama; to the encouragement, promotion, and sponsorship of historical research and the public dissemination of that research; to the acquisition of physical artifacts and documents and provision of their public display; and to the presentation of educational programs and other activities for our citizens and visitors about our past history and our heritage.
Our extensive and growing collection of research materials includes books, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, family folders and much more. We maintain the original old Shelby County Alabama courthouse records, including such records as (1) Probate Estate Files through 1915, (2) Probate Minute Books and Will Books, (3) Marriage Records through 1982, (4) Divorce Case Files through 1950, (5) Chancery Court Records, (6) Circuit Court Records, and much more! We have all up-to-date published counties of the Heritage of Alabama Book Series. For easy research, we have on microfilm and/or CD such items as (1) Shelby County Newspapers dating back to 1866, (2) Shelby County Deed Books through 1899, (3) 1908 through 1959 Alabama Death Certificate Index, (4) 1950-1979 Alabama Obituary Clippings, (5) 1907-1908 Alabama Confederate Soldiers Census, (6) Alabama Confederate Pension Applications, (7) Shelby County Alabama World War I Draft Registrations, (8) Shelby County Alabama World War I Service Records, (9) 1936 through 1969 Alabama Marriage Record Index, (10) 1950 through 1959 Alabama Divorce Record Index, and (8) 1820 through 1930 Shelby County Alabama Census Records, with index for each. We have equipment for you to view and copy these microfilm/microfiche and CD items. For your convenience, we also have on microfilm Alabama County Marriage Certificates for (1) Bibb, 1818-1929, (2) Chilton, 1870-1935, (3) Clarke, 1890-1930, (4) Coosa, 1834-1925, (5) Madison, 1809-1820, (6) Perry, 1820-1929, (7) St. Clair, 1819-1933, (8) Talladega, 1833-1929, (9) Tallapoosa, 1830-1911, and the Jefferson County 1818-1940 Marriage Index, including the Bessemer Annex. In addition, we have Death Index for the following states (1) Arkansas, 1914-1950, (2) Mississippi, 1912-1943, (3) Tennessee, 1908-1954, (4) Texas, 1903-1963, and Pre 1900 Georgia Death Certificates. Our library offers researching FREE through "Ancestry.com".
The Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. accepts and collects materials which provide information on the history of Shelby County Alabama. It is possible that some of these same materials are also available at the Alabama Department of Archives & History and/or public libraries throughout the state. These materials are acquired for researchers' convenience and not with the expectation that they will be kept forever. We also acquire duplicate copies of many items which tend to be heavily used by researchers. The archive's collection consists of books, dissertations, theses, journals, and newsletters, and also contains materials in a variety of formats, such as microfilm, microfiche, and vertical files of unpublished materials. Because the history of Shelby County is closely tied to the history of Alabama, we also collect some Alabama history reference materials. If you would like to offer reference material to the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. please contact Bobby Joe Seales.
We are located in the Old Shelby County Courthouse, built in 1854 in Columbiana, Alabama. This building has been designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places.
The Museum displays many old Shelby County photographs and artifacts from the Indian era through WWII; including such items as the bell from the Alabama, a well-known railroad engine during its time, Creek Indian artifacts, the 1906 Shelby County Courthouse cornerstone contents removed 24th June 2006, and three chestnut wood cars and several feet of wood track that were found on the 4th May 1974 in the forgotten Confederate Gurnee Coal Mine in West Shelby County.
The hours of operation of our Museum and Archives are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please come by and visit us.
"Christmas Open House" at the Shelby County Museum & Archives is 06 December 2008 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free Admission.
$20.00 Individual/Couple ~ $50.00 Sustaining or Contributing ~ $100.00 Patron
The beautiful and informative Quarterly magazine is published yearly in March, June, September, and December. This publication provides members with local historical and genealogical information and photographs. Members are also entitled to publish free queries and publicity about personal historical and genealogical materials.
The annual dues are from January 1 through December 31. Those that join after January 1 will be placed on the mailing list and will receive all previously published Quarterly magazines for that year. Join now ... Application for Membership.
Shelby County Pioneer is a certificate program offered by the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. and is designed to identify and honor the memory of the early residents of Shelby County Alabama. For each qualifying ancestor you will receive a beautifully designed 8-1/2" x 11" certificate that is ready for framing. Each certificate is numbered and signed.
The Society meets the first Sunday in February, May, August, and November, at 2:00 p.m., at the Shelby County Museum and Archives, located in Columbiana at 1854 Old Courthouse. Attendance is optional.
The Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. express their appreciation to their members and corporate, governmental, foundation and individual donors for their financial support to maintain and enhance the services of the Shelby County Museum & Archives. Special financial recognition in 2007 is given to the Shelby County Commission, Shelby County Quality of Life Grant Program, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Alabama Power Company, AT&T, Alagasco, Shelby County Reporter, M&F Bank, Regions Bank and the Board of Directors of the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. Reaching approximately 500 in membership in 2007, the membership to the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. is very important to their success.
"PRESERVING THE PAST"
Cawaco RC&D & ACES $5,000 Grant Received 09 September 2008
[left to right] Drayton Cosby; Mayor Allan Lowe; Ricky Colquitt; Carol Hill;
Commissioner Corley Ellis; Amy Feger; Alabama Representative Cam Ward; Bobby Joe Seales;
Glenn Nivens; Tom O. Caldwell, M.D.; Judy Quick; Stacy Walkup
Meet the Officers & Board of Directors
| Bobby Joe Seales | President |
| David L. Nolen | 1st Vice President |
| Dr. J. Fred Olive, III | 2nd Vice President |
| Scott A. Martin | 3rd Vice President |
| R. Glenn Nivens | Recording Secretary |
| Mickey Griffin | Corresponding Secretary. |
| Gladys Armstrong | Treasurer |
| Carolyn Knowles | Historian |
| 2008-2013 | Barbara Gilliland | Herbert J. "Jim" Lewis, III | Theoangelo Perkins |
| 2006-2011 | Diane Ellis | Della Fancher | Scarlott Lowe |
| 2004-2009 | William R. "Bill" Justice | Tim Prince | John R. Walker |
| Advisory Board | Judge James W. "Jim" Fuhrmeister | Commissioner Daniel M. Acker | Tom O. Caldwell, M.D. |
Shelby County Historical Society, Inc.
Museum & Archives
1854 Old Courthouse
Columbiana, Alabama
