Kentucky Genealogical Records

Kentucky Birth & Baptism Records

Kentucky Birth Records (1852-1910)

An index to and digital images of 425,000 birth records, including name, gender, race, date and place of birth, parents' names, parents' birthplaces and parents' ages.

Kentucky Birth Index (1911-1999)

An index to over 5.9 million births recoded in the state, including name, gender, date and county of birth, mother's name and a reference to order a birth certificate which will contain further details.

Kentucky Birth Index (1911-2007)

An index to over 5 million birth records, including name, date and place of birth and mother's full name.

Kentucky Births and Christenings (1839-1960)

An index to around 580,000 birth and baptism records. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

Kentucky Marriage & Divorce Records

Kentucky Marriage Records (1852-1914)

An index to and digital images of 115,000 marriages. They include the names, ages, birthplaces and residence of the bride and groom; the date and place of marriage; and parents' names and birthplaces.

Kentucky County Marriages (1797-1954)

An index to and images of over 180,000 various marriage records.

Kentucky Marriage Index (1973-1999)

An index to 1.15 million marriages, including names, places of residence, marital statuses, ages, races and more.

Kentucky White Marriage Index (1851-1900)

An index to over 150,000 marriages of white brides and grooms.

Kentucky Marriage Index (1802-1850)

A finding aid, listing the vital details of over 70,000 early marriages.

Kentucky Death & Burial Records

Kentucky Death Records (1852-1953)

Over 1.7 million death certificates, mortuary records and returns of death, listing a variety of details including parents' names and places of birth. A digital image is provided for each record, which can be located by a name search.

Kentucky Death Index (1911-2000)

An index to over 3.3 million deaths recorded in Kentucky. It includes name, date and place of death, age, place of residence and a reference to order a full death certificate.

Kentucky Death Index (1911-2007)

An index to over 2.8 million deaths, including name, date and place of death, date of birth and often other details.

Kentucky Deaths and Burials (1843-1970)

An index to over 625,000 death and burial records. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Kentucky Death Records (1911-1961)

An index to over 1.5 million death records. The index may include name, date and place of death, age and parents' names. The index can be used to locate original records, which contain further details.

Kentucky Census & Population Lists

Kentucky Census & Substitutes Index (1810-1890)

An index to over 120,000 names from federal censuses, pensioner lists, slave schedules and a veterans schedule.

Kentucky Tax Lists (1799-1801)

An index to tax lists recording 32,000 names.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

1940 United States Census (1940)

A name index and digital images of registers recording almost 135 million people living in the United States. The registers record age, place of birth, relationships, occupations and more.

1930 United States Census (1930)

An index to 125 million people living in the United States, linked to registers recording their age, place of birth, family relationships and more.

Newspapers Covering Kentucky

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

Kentucky Wills & Probate Records

Kentucky Wills & Probate Records (1774-1989)

An index to and images of more than 280,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

Kentucky Probate Records (1727-1990)

Digital collection and partial index of probate records created in Kentucky county courts. Probate records include wills, bonds, inventories of estates and other records.

Kentucky, Wills, Deeds, and Marriages (1700-1909)

Abstracts of several-thousand records relating to land, marriage and property in Kentucky.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Kentucky Immigration & Travel Records

Tennessee Valley, Family Removal Case Files (1934-1953)

Surveys of families who were relocated from areas that were flooded to make way for dams and hydroelectric power plants.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Kentucky Military Records

Local Board for Military Duty Records (1917-1918)

Documents recording over 600,000 men from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee who were called up for military service. Includes names, occupations and military details.

Registers of Deaths of Union Volunteers (1861-1865)

An index and digital images of registers listing the deaths of around 250,000 Union soldiers. The registers list name, rank, company, date and place of death, cause of death and miscellaneous notes.

Kentucky Confederate Pension Applications (1912-1950)

An index to and images of pension applications filed by surviving former Confederate soldiers or their widows who lived in Kentucky.

World War II Young American Patriots (1941-1945)

Brief details of around 60,000 servicemen from Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Contains religious affiliation, photographs, education history, parents' names and more.

Kentucky Confederate Pension Records (1912-1930)

An index to around 4,700 accepted and rejected pension requests.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Tennessee Valley, Family Removal Case Files (1934-1953)

Surveys of families who were relocated from areas that were flooded to make way for dams and hydroelectric power plants.

The Political Beginnings of Kentucky (1889)

A history of the coming to statehood, including negotiations with Indians, constitution, political conventions and joining the union.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

Kentucky Taxation Records

Kentucky Tax Lists (1799-1801)

An index to tax lists recording 32,000 names.

Kentucky, Wills, Deeds, and Marriages (1700-1909)

Abstracts of several-thousand records relating to land, marriage and property in Kentucky.

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Kentucky Land & Property Records

Kentucky Land Grants (1782-1924)

Over 140,000 land grants from earliest times to the 20th century.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Union Army Provost Marshals' Papers (1861-1867)

Over 235,000 documents relating to Union prisoners, legal proceedings, oaths, land forfeitures and more.

Kentucky Directories & Gazetteers

Names & PO Addresses of Farmers in Kentucky (1878)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

US Phone & Address Directories (1993-2002)

Transcriptions of over 313 million entries from directories, which may list name, address, city, state and phone number.

Kentucky Cemeteries

Lexington National Cemetery Gravestones (1868-2010)

Images of over 1,3000 gravestones of Kentucky military veterans and casualties.

Danville National Cemetery Gravestones (1862-2003)

Images of over 350 gravestones of Kentuckian military veterans and casualties.

Kentucky Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 6,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Kentucky Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

Kentucky Histories & Books

The Political Beginnings of Kentucky (1889)

A history of the coming to statehood, including negotiations with Indians, constitution, political conventions and joining the union.

The Scotch-Irish of Kentucky (1890)

A speech regarding the influence of Ulster immigration on the state.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Kentucky School & Education Records

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

Kentucky Occupation & Business Records

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Names & PO Addresses of Farmers in Kentucky (1878)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Register of Civil Military & Naval Service (1863-1959)

Registers include the name of each government employee, office held, where employed, where born, whence appointed, and pay received, as well as information regarding the Navy, such as names and conditions of all ships and vessels belonging to the United States and when and where they were built.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Kentucky

Genealogies of Virginia & Kentucky Families (1901)

Genealogies of six notable families, with biographies of some of their members.

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Kentucky Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Kentucky Church Records

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US & Canada Quaker Annual Reports (1808-1930)

Digital images of records from the highest bodies in the Quaker church. The minutes contain names of representatives and committee members, memorials and obituary notices, along with business news.

Biographical Directories Covering Kentucky

Genealogies of Virginia & Kentucky Families (1901)

Genealogies of six notable families, with biographies of some of their members.

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Kentucky Maps

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Civil War Maps (1861-1865)

A collection of around 2,000 reconnaissance, sketch, and theater-of-war maps.

Kentucky Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

KENTUCKY, formerly considered one of the “Western States” of the American Union, may now be ranked among those on the map at the right hand of the observer, since, by the immense extension of territory towards the setting sun, there is vastly more space between Kentucky and the Pacific Ocean than between that state and the Atlantic. It was originally included within the limits of Virginia, from which state it was separated in 1786, when it was organized under a territorial government, and so remained until its erection into a state in 1792. No extensive exploration of the country is known certainly to have taken place until about the year 1770, when the celebrated and eccentric adventurer Colonel Boone penetrated its then remote and inhospitable wilds. Four years afterwards, a permanent settlement was made at Harrodsburg; but the inhabitants of the territory, wherever located, were constantly harassed by the predatory incursions of various savage tribes, until the conclusion of the treaty with General Wayne in 1795.

Boundary and Extent

The Ohio River constitutes the northern boundary of this state, separating it from the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. On the east lies Virginia, and on the south Tennessee. The Mississippi, on the west, separates Kentucky from the State of Missouri. It extends from north latitude 36° 30' to 39° 10', and lies between 82° and 89° 30' west longitude. Its length from east to west is about 400 miles, and its average breadth does not greatly exceed 100 miles. Its area, as officially reported, is 37,680 square miles.

Government

The present constitution, adopted in 1850, provides for the quadrennial election of governor and lieutenant governor by a plurality of the popular suffrages; but the former magistrate cannot be reelected until after a lapse of four years. The lieutenant governor is, ex officio, the presiding officer of the Senate, and, in extraordinary cases, discharges the duties of the executive. The number of senators is limited to 38: one half of the number are elected every two years, in a manner that each member may serve four years. The representatives, 100 in number, apportioned to the several counties or districts every eighth year, are chosen biennially. The legislature holds biennial sessions at Frankfort, continuing only 60 days, unless by a two thirds concurrent vote. All white males, 21 years of age, after a residence in the state of two years, and in the district of one year, are qualified voters. The manner of voting at elections is by open vote, or viva voce.

Judiciary

The courts consist of a Court of Appeals, having appellate jurisdiction only throughout the state, Circuit Courts in each county, and County Courts. The judges of the former, four in number, are elected by the people for eight years, and so classified that one shall retire every two years. Those of the Circuit Courts, 12 in number, are chosen for six years. Those of the County Courts, consisting of a presiding and two associate justices in each county, are chosen by the people for four years. Two justices of the peace are elected, in each county, for terms of four years. Sheriffs are chosen for two years, and cannot serve beyond a second term.

Education

The state possesses a bountiful school fund, which, for the year 1849, yielded an income of about $67,000, three fourths of which, however, are applied to the ordinary expenditures of the state. In the above year, there were 193,000 children between the ages of five and sixteen years, nearly one half of whom attended the district schools connected with the public system. Among these latter the sum of $29,166 was distributed from the permanent school fund, and $21,874 from the “two cent tax.”

Finances

In 1849, the whole amount of the funded debt was $4,497,652.81, a part of which, viz., $836,000, was due to the school fund. The income in the same year, from all sources, amounted to $468,630.19, and the expenditures to $447,620.64. To meet the interest of the public debt, the state owns bank stocks, turnpike and railroad stocks, and other property, from which an annual revenue of more than $100,000 is derived. The residue of the interest is made up from the yearly tax, which is about 17 cents on each $100 worth of property. The amount of taxable property in 1849 was upwards of $285,000,000.

Surface, Soil, &c.-Kentucky presents a great diversity of surface. In the eastern quarter, where it is bordered by the Cumberland Mountains, there are numerous lofty elevations; and on the northern boundary, adjacent to the Ohio River, and running through the whole extent of the state, there is a strip of hilly but fertile land, from 5 to 20 miles in breadth. Along the immediate margin of the Ohio is a tract, one mile wide, of bottom lands, which are periodically overflowed. The intermediate country, between the hilly regions on the north and on the south-east, is gently undulating; and here, within an area of 100 by 50 miles, the soil is of extraordinary richness. In the neighborhood of the Cumberland River, there is another tract of about 100 miles in extent, which, though denominated “barrens,” has been within a few years transformed from an extended and unbroken prairie into forests of thrifty and valuable timber. The soil throughout the state is generally of excellent quality, producing hemp, tobacco, wheat, corn, and numerous other fruits of the earth in great abundance. Among the native trees, the most common are black walnut, black cherry, mulberry, locust, ash, elm, papaw, buckeye, whitethorn, cottonwood, and sugar maple. Grapes, of line quality, also abound; and all the fruits adapted to the climate are successfully cultivated.

Rivers

The largest rivers are the Cumberland and the Tennessee, both branches of the Ohio, which latter flows along the northern boundary for a distance of 637 miles. These branches are navigable to a very considerable extent. They enter the Ohio at points about 12 miles apart, and within 50 to 60 miles of the junction of the Ohio with the Mississippi. The other principal streams, besides those which bound the state, are the Kentucky, Licking, Salt, and Green Rivers, all of which are extensively navigable.

Internal Improvements

The Louisville and Portland Canal, two and a half miles in length, is a work of extraordinary magnitude and importance. It was completed in 1831, at great cost, and after some years of labor; its bed having been excavated out of lime rock, a portion of it to the depth of 12 feet. By this work, a fall of 22 feet on the Ohio River at Louisville has been overcome, and vast numbers of steamboats and other craft are constantly passing through it. The Lexington and Ohio Railroad, extending from Lexington, via Frankfort, to Louisville, 95 miles in length, is nearly, if not quite, completed. Another, from the former city to Covington on the Ohio, opposite Cincinnati, is under contract; and some others are projected.

Minerals

The most abundant of the mineral products of Kentucky are iron, coal, lime, and salt. Large quantities of the latter article are annually exported. Limestone, at various depths, underlays the soil of a large portion of the state.

Manufactures

A large amount of capital is invested in the manufacture of hemp, cotton, wool, iron, tobacco, leather, and other staple commodities. The fabrication of almost every article of domestic use is also carried on throughout the state.

Indians

Few or none of the descendants of the aboriginal possessors of the soil now remain within the limits of the state.

Population

Sixty years since, the population of Kentucky numbered less than 75,000. By the last census, it has reached over 1,000,000, more than one fifth of which number are slaves.

Climate

The winters in this state rarely continue longer than two or three months, and are generally mild, but humid. The other seasons are remarkably pleasant, and the temperature varies less between the extremes of heat and cold than in some of the neighboring states. The climate is consequently healthy.

Religion

Of the various Christian denominations, the Baptists, perhaps, are the most numerous. The Methodists are next in numerical order. Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Roman Catholics have each a large number of churches. There are also some societies of Shakers and Unitarians.

Curiosities

Among the extraordinary objects of wonder found in this state is the celebrated “Mammoth Cave,” which has not, probably, an equal in the known world. It is situated in the county of Edmonson, near the centre of the state, and its subterranean vaults have been explored to the extent of some eight to ten miles. Its earthy floor is impregnated so strongly with nitre, that considerable quantities of this article have been extracted therefrom. There are several other remarkable caverns in the state, principally in the south-west part, between Cumberland and Green Rivers. Many of the lofty, perpendicular precipices of solid limestone on the banks of Kentucky River, and the frequent chasms formed in the subjacent calcareous rocks by the rapid action of large streams, may likewise be enumerated among the natural curiosities of Kentucky.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Kentucky

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Johnson33,9981:1321.55%2
2Jones30,2921:1481.82%5
3Brown28,9691:1551.63%4
4Williams24,6121:1821.28%3
5Miller24,4561:1831.80%7
6Wilson20,7781:2162.13%9
7Davis20,4461:2191.46%6
8Hall19,5401:2303.15%30
9Moore17,3821:2582.02%13
10Taylor17,2931:2591.93%11
11Thompson15,9591:2812.02%20
12Clark15,5881:2882.16%22
13Thomas14,7491:3041.69%12
14Martin14,5631:3081.78%17
15Adams14,4721:3102.61%34
16Baker13,6441:3292.53%36
17Allen13,1451:3412.11%28
18Howard12,6301:3553.79%70
19Jackson12,6041:3561.52%16
20White12,4541:3601.53%18
21Lewis11,9011:3771.84%25
22Turner11,5191:3892.69%48
23Harris11,2841:3971.47%21
24Young11,2231:4001.87%31
25Roberts11,1151:4032.35%43
26Robinson11,0911:4041.76%27
27Collins11,0881:4042.65%50
28Anderson11,0061:4071.08%8
29Wright10,7341:4181.93%33
30King10,5621:4251.88%32
31Campbell10,0691:4452.04%41
32Cox9,8201:4572.86%67
33Carter9,3081:4821.92%42
34Scott8,7441:5131.63%38
35Walker8,6151:5211.36%26
36Mullins8,2471:5449.50%461
37Stewart8,1681:5492.03%54
38Rogers8,0671:5562.09%57
39Hill8,0181:5591.48%35
40Morris7,9151:5671.97%55
41Morgan7,8181:5742.15%60
42Lee7,7551:5780.93%15
43Combs7,6421:58711.14%602
44Gibson7,6101:5893.17%117
45Evans7,5981:5901.67%46
46Mitchell7,5741:5921.66%45
47Cook7,5101:5971.90%56
48Hamilton7,4141:6052.85%102
49Wells7,3911:6073.32%130
50Reynolds7,1611:6262.80%105
51Reed7,1251:6292.05%66
52Gray7,0601:6352.20%75
53Phillips6,8951:6501.57%47
54Green6,8791:6521.28%37
55Edwards6,7391:6651.58%49
56Mills6,6971:6703.52%171
57Powell6,6901:6702.43%97
58Adkins6,5851:6817.39%448
59Cooper6,4931:6911.78%61
60Murphy6,4761:6921.68%58
61Simpson6,4561:6953.17%149
62Lawson6,4381:6974.39%245
63Hughes6,3051:7112.07%78
64Webb6,2841:7142.96%137
65Mattingly6,2301:72031.41%2,310
66Bell6,0911:7361.69%62
67Perry5,9981:7482.18%98
68Richardson5,9901:7491.91%77
69Parker5,8891:7611.41%51
70Rose5,8761:7632.93%156
71Fields5,8561:7664.41%277
72Ward5,8511:7661.77%71
73Perkins5,8191:7713.62%226
74Caudill5,8151:77124.65%1,946
75Owens5,7761:7762.54%127
76Price5,7291:7831.96%86
77Rice5,7271:7833.00%169
78Brooks5,6811:7891.74%73
79Coleman5,6581:7932.03%92
80Burton5,6211:7983.94%253
81Sanders5,5681:8051.99%90
82Russell5,4931:8161.98%95
83West5,4901:8172.14%104
84Tucker5,4551:8222.60%140
85Duncan5,4381:8253.03%187
86Stephens5,3751:8342.93%180
87Stone5,2271:8582.63%157
88Hicks5,1361:8732.61%161
89Barnes5,1231:8751.83%89
90Hunt5,0661:8852.51%152
91Bennett5,0331:8911.55%74
92Hensley5,0031:8967.90%664
93Osborne4,9471:9075.73%464
94Hayes4,9241:9112.00%114
95Henderson4,8891:9171.78%99
96Slone4,7731:94034.41%3,286
97Watson4,7691:9401.49%76
98Ford4,7631:9422.02%121
99Wood4,7121:9521.40%69
100Payne4,6611:9622.62%191
100Woods4,6611:9622.11%132
102Sparks4,6561:9635.67%489
103Jenkins4,6311:9681.69%100
104Barnett4,6271:9693.67%288
105Bowling4,5831:97815.72%1,546
106Cole4,5601:9831.80%109
107Tackett4,5551:98519.79%2,003
108Nelson4,5491:9860.85%39
109Riley4,5411:9882.69%209
110Stevens4,5101:9941.91%119
111Ray4,4801:1,0012.59%202
112Foster4,4721:1,0031.52%81
113Long4,4521:1,0071.55%87
114Brewer4,4471:1,0083.30%271
115Wallace4,3991:1,0191.73%110
116Dunn4,3891:1,0222.31%172
117Shelton4,3831:1,0233.74%312
118Blair4,3581:1,0294.20%369
119Brock4,3111:1,0405.28%496
120Mason4,2641:1,0522.11%151
121Ross4,2301:1,0601.43%80
122Marshall4,2041:1,0671.85%128
123McKinney4,1961:1,0693.93%354
124Sullivan4,1941:1,0691.43%83
125Arnold4,1041:1,0932.19%175
126Hale4,0731:1,1013.56%321
127Alexander4,0581:1,1051.55%101
128Spencer4,0431:1,1092.33%201
129Hardin4,0341:1,1127.22%765
130Montgomery3,9831:1,1262.66%239
131Hawkins3,9671:1,1302.19%182
132Porter3,9491:1,1361.96%153
133Napier3,9331:1,14017.03%1,996
134May3,9261:1,1422.88%270
135Phelps3,9231:1,1435.63%592
136Watkins3,9031:1,1492.39%221
137Harrison3,8771:1,1571.64%120
138Bowman3,8481:1,1652.80%267
139Elliott3,8461:1,1662.15%189
140Gregory3,8441:1,1673.23%303
141McCoy3,8371:1,1692.71%260
142Ferguson3,8301:1,1711.99%166
143Boyd3,8211:1,1741.90%154
144Warren3,8141:1,1761.98%165
145Yates3,7821:1,1864.62%491
146Ellis3,7791:1,1871.55%115
147Bishop3,7501:1,1962.44%234
148Carpenter3,7491:1,1962.23%212
149Kelly3,7391:1,1991.14%72
150Bradley3,7381:1,2002.09%188
151Sizemore3,7371:1,20015.54%1,892
152Blevins3,7331:1,2017.75%893
152Ratliff3,7331:1,2019.96%1,170
154Dixon3,7231:1,2051.82%148
155Caldwell3,7121:1,2083.01%295
156Shepherd3,6931:1,2144.87%530
157Butler3,6821:1,2181.30%88
158Day3,6561:1,2272.58%256
159Carroll3,6401:1,2322.01%184
160Crawford3,6271:1,2361.68%134
160James3,6271:1,2361.20%79
162Whitaker3,6241:1,2374.91%543
163Patterson3,6071:1,2431.42%107
164Robertson3,5931:1,2481.86%163
165Conley3,5551:1,2614.94%560
166Berry3,5381:1,2682.00%192
167Cornett3,5101:1,27817.43%2,279
168Myers3,4861:1,2861.19%84
169Harper3,4811:1,2882.15%224
170Gilbert3,4721:1,2922.33%241
171Willis3,4521:1,2992.08%216
172Newton3,4441:1,3023.57%403
173Sexton3,4331:1,3066.39%796
174Skaggs3,3971:1,32014.76%2,005
175Burns3,3891:1,3231.53%131
176Graham3,3611:1,3341.30%103
177Black3,3541:1,3371.63%145
178Huff3,3361:1,3444.67%570
179Vaughn3,3351:1,3452.95%326
180Marcum3,3271:1,34816.44%2,271
181Nichols3,3241:1,3491.79%177
182Watts3,3171:1,3522.90%319
183Ballard3,3031:1,3584.08%500
184Justice3,2731:1,3707.98%1,067
184Pennington3,2731:1,3706.09%795
186Garrett3,2571:1,3772.27%250
187Wheeler3,2381:1,3852.01%225
188Hudson3,2311:1,3881.87%203
189Lucas3,2201:1,3932.50%284
190Davidson3,2121:1,3962.28%261
191Farmer3,2011:1,4013.49%430
192Howell3,1961:1,4032.21%248
193Simmons3,1431:1,4271.23%106
194Fox3,1341:1,4311.53%147
195Vincent3,1221:1,4364.64%618
196Helton3,1141:1,4409.78%1,415
197McDonald3,1121:1,4411.33%122
198Blackburn3,1071:1,4436.06%837
199Hampton3,0971:1,4483.54%457
200Bentley3,0791:1,4565.72%791
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith21,6181:763.43%1
2Johnson13,3231:1243.48%2
3Jones13,0171:1274.09%5
4Brown11,9661:1383.37%3
5Williams11,8091:1403.69%4
6Taylor9,2151:1795.43%9
7Miller8,8651:1863.16%6
8Davis8,6871:1903.43%7
9Wilson8,5851:1924.57%8
10Moore7,0321:2344.40%12
11Thomas6,2571:2634.28%16
12Martin6,1501:2684.18%15
13Clark6,0631:2723.63%10
14White6,0271:2733.73%11
15Thompson5,7851:2853.67%13
16Jackson5,7061:2893.87%14
17Hall5,6501:2924.66%20
18Lewis5,4081:3054.56%22
19Adams5,2801:3125.42%31
20Allen5,1091:3234.24%21
21Young4,8491:3404.21%24
22Anderson4,7431:3473.25%17
23Harris4,6991:3513.66%18
24Baker4,5511:3624.09%25
25Green4,4871:3673.68%19
26Walker4,3581:3783.71%23
27Scott4,1311:3993.96%29
28King4,1291:3993.90%27
29Howard3,8051:4336.14%56
30Roberts3,7701:4374.72%39
31Turner3,7521:4394.75%40
32Carter3,7371:4414.55%36
33Wright3,6141:4563.39%26
34Cox3,5841:4605.98%57
35Campbell3,4681:4754.03%34
36Robinson3,3701:4893.25%30
37Hill3,3311:4953.15%28
38Collins3,2991:4994.34%41
39Bell3,1851:5174.79%51
40Cook3,1671:5203.62%33
41Lee3,1541:5223.82%35
42Morris3,1521:5234.52%46
43Price2,9831:5525.42%67
44Morgan2,9031:5684.52%53
45Wells2,8311:5826.15%92
46Rice2,8131:5866.11%91
47Edwards2,7541:5984.21%52
48Evans2,7111:6083.68%43
49Mitchell2,6231:6284.11%54
50Gray2,6191:6294.41%61
51Stone2,6141:6306.52%116
52Murphy2,5821:6382.73%32
53Duncan2,5781:6399.20%186
54Parker2,5731:6403.20%37
55Stewart2,4441:6743.42%45
56Richardson2,4421:6754.17%64
57Long2,4411:6754.07%58
57Wood2,4411:6753.05%38
59Bryant2,4381:6766.97%147
60Coleman2,4311:6785.29%93
61Bailey2,3971:6874.35%66
62Hamilton2,3231:7094.76%80
63Watson2,3221:7103.93%63
64Perkins2,2811:7226.26%139
65Hughes2,2641:7284.89%89
66Berry2,1811:7565.92%135
67Sanders2,1531:7655.07%108
68Simpson2,1481:7675.63%127
69Cooper2,1461:7683.60%60
70Powell2,1371:7715.01%106
71Rogers2,1321:7733.40%55
72Alexander2,1141:7794.94%105
73Owens2,1011:7846.08%150
74Ross2,0811:7924.15%76
75Gibson2,0751:7945.02%111
76West2,0611:8004.46%90
77Webb2,0561:8015.68%141
78Ford2,0481:8054.54%96
79Reed2,0331:8112.70%42
80Hawkins2,0321:8116.00%153
81Tucker2,0231:8155.26%124
82Ward2,0001:8242.99%50
83Porter1,9801:8324.38%95
84Payne1,9751:8346.93%180
85Combs1,9421:84920.60%666
86Woods1,9341:8525.24%134
87Bennett1,9241:8563.62%70
88Mason1,9151:8604.41%101
89Brooks1,9091:8633.48%68
90Hicks1,8871:8736.29%168
91Barnes1,8831:8753.99%83
92Burton1,8811:8767.80%218
93Ray1,8781:8776.36%170
94Reynolds1,8511:8903.82%81
95Boyd1,8221:9045.12%144
96Marshall1,8201:9054.74%125
97Dunn1,8191:9064.33%109
98Stephens1,7901:9215.73%165
99Henderson1,7881:9223.56%77
100Ellis1,7761:9283.93%94
101Kelly1,7751:9282.44%44
102Jenkins1,7741:9293.99%99
103Phillips1,7631:9352.95%59
104Fields1,7561:9388.71%264
105May1,7371:9496.66%194
106Wallace1,7351:9503.87%97
107Russell1,7191:9593.68%86
108Hays1,7181:9596.93%212
109Butler1,7081:9653.25%71
110Hunt1,7001:9693.92%102
111James1,6981:9703.43%78
112Harrison1,6881:9763.84%100
113Graham1,6841:9793.63%88
114Riley1,6761:9833.89%104
115Robertson1,6471:1,0004.57%142
116Barnett1,6341:1,0088.65%289
117Fisher1,6321:1,0102.44%49
118Arnold1,6011:1,0294.41%140
119Bush1,5951:1,0336.76%224
120Spencer1,5901:1,0364.70%155
121Foster1,5871:1,0382.67%62
122Patterson1,5791:1,0443.13%75
123Hardin1,5761:1,04618.11%718
124Perry1,5721:1,0483.38%87
125Lawson1,5671:1,0527.60%255
126Vaughn1,5371:1,0728.77%324
127Black1,5311:1,0763.92%121
128Crawford1,5161:1,0873.79%117
129Graves1,5131:1,0896.18%213
130Carpenter1,4911:1,1054.00%130
131Myers1,4891:1,1072.57%65
131Hunter1,4891:1,1073.63%113
133Willis1,4871:1,1085.32%188
134Rose1,4801:1,1134.82%167
135Bradley1,4761:1,1164.67%162
135Warren1,4761:1,1164.10%143
137Wheeler1,4611:1,1283.72%120
138Henry1,4261:1,1563.35%107
139Nelson1,4201:1,1602.05%47
140Cole1,4191:1,1612.73%73
141Mullins1,4181:1,16219.54%876
142Day1,4091:1,1694.46%163
143Bishop1,4081:1,1705.02%184
144Craig1,3981:1,1795.98%225
145Mills1,3901:1,1853.80%138
146Sullivan1,3641:1,2082.03%48
147Phelps1,3551:1,2168.35%362
148Hart1,3331:1,2363.25%112
149Shelton1,3251:1,2448.59%385
150Adkins1,3071:1,26111.88%563
150Hudson1,3071:1,2614.70%190
152Griffin1,3021:1,2662.92%98
153Stevens1,2921:1,2752.77%85
154Dixon1,2841:1,2834.90%193
155Montgomery1,2721:1,2954.93%199
156Yates1,2571:1,31110.07%497
157Holland1,2471:1,3214.89%202
158Fox1,2421:1,3273.12%118
159Barker1,2321:1,3385.12%219
160Sparks1,2181:1,35310.14%518
161Page1,2171:1,3544.70%198
161Hampton1,2171:1,35410.00%509
163Franklin1,2001:1,3735.02%220
164Gardner1,1971:1,3773.26%136
165Daniel1,1921:1,3826.54%309
166Armstrong1,1911:1,3843.15%129
167Elliott1,1831:1,3934.15%180
168Caldwell1,1791:1,3985.85%263
169Watkins1,1701:1,4084.60%204
170Wade1,1611:1,4195.22%239
171Hayden1,1551:1,42710.53%565
172Burns1,1441:1,4402.23%74
173Bowman1,1391:1,4474.39%197
174Miles1,1351:1,4525.37%247
175Todd1,1241:1,4666.34%319
176Morton1,1181:1,4746.22%316
177Sharp1,1171:1,4754.61%217
178Johnston1,1161:1,4772.88%122
179Owen1,1121:1,4825.75%282
180Simmons1,1061:1,4902.85%123
181Kennedy1,0971:1,5022.70%114
181Davidson1,0971:1,5024.43%211
183McDaniel1,0861:1,5176.49%344
184Gilbert1,0851:1,5193.76%176
185Ball1,0801:1,5264.78%236
186Carr1,0781:1,5293.15%152
187Buckner1,0771:1,53017.91%1,078
188Crow1,0761:1,5319.22%529
189Farmer1,0711:1,5397.18%403
189Hale1,0711:1,5395.09%251
191Harper1,0701:1,5403.97%192
192Neal1,0641:1,5495.84%306
193Oliver1,0611:1,5534.35%216
194Browning1,0511:1,56811.26%671
195Chapman1,0451:1,5773.04%151
196Kelley1,0441:1,5782.20%82
197Clay1,0331:1,5958.20%489
197Blair1,0331:1,5955.71%311
199Logan1,0321:1,5975.87%322
200Gregory1,0221:1,6125.83%323