Kentucky

Kentucky Census Research

Federal census records for Kentucky are available from 1810, except for the destroyed 1890 census.  Earlier censuses taken in 1790 and 1800 were destroyed, but were been partially reconstructed with the use of tax lists. These reconstructions are available wherever copies of the censuses are also found.

There are no official state censuses for Kentucky, although those living in Kentucky before 1790 were often included with Virginia records. Tax lists for Kentucky are some of the best found in the U.S., and can substitute as a census of mature male inhabitants for almost any early year.

Kentucky infrequently enumerated public school students beginning in 1888. Scattered records are at the office of the respective county Board of Health or Board of Education. Some are maintained by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and the Kentucky Historical Society.

Kentucky Vital Records

Statewide vital records registration was first enacted in 1852, but compliance was minimal and the legislation was only in place for ten years. Sporadic maintenance was also performed between 1872 and 1910. Mandatory registration of births and deaths was again enacted as of January 1, 1911.

Marriage records have been kept on a county-level basis since the formation of each county, with some records pre-dating official formation. In 1958, marriages registration began at the state level. An every name index to births and deaths after 1911 exists at the Office of Vital Statistics.

• Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics: Holds records of births and deaths from 1911, and marriages after 1958.
• Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA): The KDLA online records ordering system allows researchers to submit electronic requests for a range of records, including pre-1911 vital records, deeds, military, tax, and probate records. Be sure to check the links which show available years of coverage for each record type.

Kentucky Research Resources

The organizations listed below provide information about Kentucky history and genealogy. In addition to these state-level resources, many counties and towns maintain important genealogical collections in local libraries, genealogical societies, or historical societies, so check for a local resource when researching.

Statewide Research Resources

• Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA):  Use the online records ordering system to request vital, military, census, deed, tax, will, or court records held in KDLA’s collection.
• Kentucky Historical Society
• Kentucky Genealogical Society
• Kentucky GenWeb
• Kentuckiana Digital Library: Selected collections from the Kentucky Archives include oral histories and a collection of newspapers from across Kentucky.
• National Archives at Atlanta: This facility maintains records from Federal agencies and courts in Kentucky, including census, military, court, naturalization, and immigration records.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office Records:  The BLM administers Federal Land for public land states including Kentucky, and maintains records of land patents which granted land from the Federal Government to individuals.  Use the Land Patent Search to locate land grants by name.  Many record images are available on the web site.  See the FAQ for more information on how to locate and use land patents.

Specialty and Regional Research

• Chronicling America: Online newspapers: Provides searchable online versions of selected Kentucky newspapers.
• The Filson Historical Society Library: see the Collections page for information on the Filson’s genealogy holdings at the Library in Louisville.
• KYOWA Genealogical Society:  Serves the tri-state area of northeastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia.  The Society holds regular meetings, sponsors events, and maintains a research library.