Alabama has lost several courthouses to fires and other tragedies, and Winston County is no exception. In August 1891, the Winston County Courthouse went up in flames, and along with it a good portion of historical documents. The historical collection of Winston County newspapers reveals hidden gems into our ancestor's lives which possibly cannot be found anywhere else. The Winston County Genealogical Society has actively been scanning and documenting articles from the newspapers collection, and during that process, the need of a book revealing Winston County's early settlers was realized. Winston County, Alabama is a county rich in history, and it is our hope this book will be a valuable genealogy tool for anyone interested in learning about their ancestors who came here to begin a new life in the rugged hills and hollows of the Free State of Winston.