Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy: Difference between revisions
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Guide to '''Decatur County, Kansas ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records. | Guide to '''Decatur County, Kansas ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. | ||
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<center> | <center>{{Click|image:KS_ORP.png|Kansas_Online_Genealogy_Records}}</center> | ||
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|organized= March 6, 1873 | |organized= March 6, 1873 | ||
|county seat= Oberlin | |county seat= Oberlin | ||
|parent county= unorganized territory <ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{ | |parent county= unorganized territory <ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref> | ||
|variant spellings= | |variant spellings= | ||
|county1= [[Furnas County, Nebraska Genealogy|Furnas (NE)]] | |county1= [[Furnas County, Nebraska Genealogy|Furnas (NE)]] | ||
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<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div> | <div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div> | ||
==County Information== | == County Information == | ||
===Description=== | === Description === | ||
The | The County was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, of the United States Navy. | ||
<ref>Genealogy Trails History Group, “Decatur, Kansas Genealogy and History”, "http://genealogytrails.com/kan/decatur/ 8/10/2017."</ref> The County has Oberlin as its seat and the County was created March 20, 1873. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur, Kansas," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Kansas" 8/10/2017.</ref> | |||
===County Courthouse=== | === County Courthouse === | ||
{{KS Courthouse Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Courthouse Intro|Decatur}} | ||
'''Decatur County Courthouse'''<br>120 E. Hall<br>P.O. Box 89<br>Oberlin, Kansas 66749-0089<br>Phone: 785.475.8102<br> | '''Decatur County Courthouse'''<br>120 E. Hall<br>P.O. Box 89<br>Oberlin, Kansas 66749-0089<br>Phone: 785.475.8102<br> | ||
[http://www. | [http://www.kansastreasurers.org/countyservices/decatur.htm Decatur County Website]<br><br>Clerk District Court has birth, marriage and death records 1885-1913, divorce and court records from 1881, probate records from 1891 and naturalization records from 1880.<br>Register of Deeds has land records from 1878 and military discharge records from 1862. <ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref> | ||
===Decatur County, Kansas Record Dates=== | === Decatur County, Kansas Record Dates === | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" | |||
{| cellspacing=" | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Beginning Dates for Major County Records<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. Page 249 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>'''</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Death|Death*]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Death|Death*]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]''' | ||
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" |'''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]''' | | width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1885 | | width="14.2%" align="center" |1885 | ||
| Line 81: | Line 71: | ||
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1855 | | width="14.2%" align="center" |1855 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="7" |<center> | | colspan="7"| <center>Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1911. General compliance by 1917.<ref>“Kansas Research Outline”, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Department, 2000), 40.</ref> </center> | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Record Loss=== | === Record Loss === | ||
{| | {| | ||
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| Line 92: | Line 82: | ||
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===Boundary Changes=== | === Boundary Changes === | ||
{{KS Boundary Changes Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Boundary Changes Intro|Decatur}} | ||
{| | {| | ||
| Line 98: | Line 88: | ||
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*'''Parent County:''' Decatur County was created 6 March 1873 from unorganized territory. <br> | *'''Parent County:''' Decatur County was created 6 March 1873 from unorganized territory. <br> | ||
*'''County seat:''' Oberlin <ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{ | *'''County seat:''' Oberlin <ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br> | ||
*[ | *'''Map''': [http://www.mapofus.org/kansas/ Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Kansas] - shows boundary changes for Kansas Counties | ||
*[ | *'''Chronology''': [http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/KS_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Kansas Historical Boundary Changes] - legislative details of all boundary changes by county provided by [https://www.newberry.org/ Newberry Library]<br> | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Populated Places=== | === Populated Places === | ||
{{KS Populated Places Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Populated Places Intro|Decatur}} | ||
The following are locations in Decatur County, Kansas:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "DecaturCounty, Kansas," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_County,_Kansas#Communities, accessed 14 September 2017.</ref> | |||
The following are | |||
{{populated places | {{populated places | ||
<!--cities column-------------------> | <!--cities column-------------------> | ||
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}} | }} | ||
===History Timeline=== | === History Timeline === | ||
{{KS Historical Timeline Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Historical Timeline Intro|Decatur}} | ||
==Resources== | == Resources == | ||
{{KS Resources Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Resources Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Bible Records=== | === Bible Records === | ||
{{KS Bible Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Bible Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Biographies=== | === Biographies === | ||
{{KS Biographies Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Biographies Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Business, Commerce, and Occupations=== | === Business, Commerce, and Occupations === | ||
{{KS Business Records Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Business Records Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Cemeteries=== | === Cemeteries === | ||
{{KS Cemeteries Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Cemeteries Intro|Decatur}} | ||
{| style="border:1px solid black; width:60%; " | {| style = "border:1px solid black; width:60%; " | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="2" style="border:1px solid black | | colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Decatur County, Kansas''' online and in print</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | width="23%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center> | ||
| | |bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" | | ||
*[http://www.ksgenweb.org/decatur/cemeteries/decatur_county_cemeteries.htm KSGenWeb] | * [http://findagrave.org/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSfn=&GSmn=&GSln=&GSbyrel=all&GSby=&GSdyrel=all&GSdy=&GScntry=4&GSst=18&GScnty=903&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n Findagrave.com] | ||
*[http://www.usgwtombstones.org/kansas/decatur.htm Tombstone Project] | * [http://www.ksgenweb.org/decatur/cemeteries/decatur_county_cemeteries.htm KSGenWeb] | ||
*[http://kansasgravestones.org/cemeteries.php?selected_cid=20 Kansas Gravestones] | * [http://www.usgwtombstones.org/kansas/decatur.htm Tombstone Project] | ||
*[https:// | * [http://kansasgravestones.org/cemeteries.php?selected_cid=20 Kansas Gravestones] | ||
* [https://billiongraves.com/pages/search/# Billion Graves] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | width="23%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' ([[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |Often more complete]])</center> | ||
| style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" | |bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" | | ||
*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3Acemetery+Decatur+Kansas&qt=advanced&dblist=638 WorldCat] | * {{FHL|NUMBER|subject-id|disp=Family History Library}} | ||
* [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3Acemetery+Decatur+Kansas&qt=advanced&dblist=638 WorldCat] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | width="23%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center> | ||
| style="border:1px solid black" valign="top | |bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" | | ||
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=4&CSst=18&CScnty=903 Findagrave.com] | * [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=4&CSst=18&CScnty=903 Findagrave.com] | ||
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results? | * [https://billiongraves.com/search/results?year_range=5&action=search_cemetery&exact=true&country=United%20States&state=Kansas&county=Decatur&cemetery_name=a# Billion Graves] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="2" style="border:1px solid black | | colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>See '''[[Kansas Cemeteries]]''' for more information</center> | ||
|} | |} | ||
[http://www.ksgenweb.com//decatur/cemeteries/decatur_county_cemeteries.htm Decatur County Cemeteries] gives the location of each cemetery and a transcription of graves in that cemetery. Some cemeteries have not been transcribed as yet. | |||
===Census Records=== | === Census Records === | ||
{{Historical populations | {{Historical populations | ||
|type = USA | |type = USA | ||
| Line 242: | Line 233: | ||
{{KS Census Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Census Intro|Decatur}} | ||
====State and Territorial Census Records==== | ==== State and Territorial Census Records ==== | ||
*'''1855-1925''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1088 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] — ($), Index and images; covers census years '''1855-1859, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925''' | *'''1855-1925''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1088 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] — ($), Index and images; covers census years '''1855-1859, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925''' | ||
*'''1860''' {{RecordSearch|1473181|1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory}} at [https://www.familysearch.org | *'''1860''' - {{RecordSearch|1473181|1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — Index and images | ||
*'''1860''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7667 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] | *'''1860''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7667 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] — ($), Index and images<br> | ||
*'''1865''' {{RecordSearch|1824715|Kansas State Census, 1865}} at FamilySearch — index | *'''1865''' - {{RecordSearch|1824715|Kansas State Census, 1865}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images | ||
*'''1875''' {{RecordSearch|1825178|Kansas State Census, 1875}} at FamilySearch — index | *'''1875''' - {{RecordSearch|1825178|Kansas State Census, 1875}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images | ||
*'''1885''' {{RecordSearch|1825188|Kansas State Census, 1885}} at FamilySearch — images | *'''1885''' - {{RecordSearch|1825188|Kansas State Census, 1885}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — images | ||
*'''1895''' {{RecordSearch|1825193|Kansas State Census, 1895}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/hr/search FamilySearch] — index | *'''1895''' - {{RecordSearch|1825193|Kansas State Census, 1895}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/hr/search FamilySearch] — index and images | ||
*'''1919-1961''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2270 Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] — Partial index (4 counties) and images | |||
*'''1919-1961''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2270 Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] | |||
====Federal Census Records==== | ==== Federal Census Records ==== | ||
The 1870 Census was the first Federal Census taken for Kansas after it became a state in 1861.<ref>William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 119.</ref> For links to Federal Census indexes, see [[Kansas Census]].<br> | The 1870 Census was the first Federal Census taken for Kansas after it became a state in 1861.<ref>William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 119.</ref> For links to Federal Census indexes, see [[Kansas Census]].<br> | ||
===Church Records=== | === Church Records === | ||
{{KS Church Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Church Intro|Decatur}} | ||
=== Court Records === | |||
===Court Records=== | |||
{{KS Court Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Court Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Directories=== | === Directories === | ||
{{KS Directories Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Directories Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Emigration and Immigration=== | === Emigration and Immigration === | ||
{{KS Emigration Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Emigration Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups=== | === Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups === | ||
{{KS Ethnic Groups Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Ethnic Groups Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Funeral Homes=== | === Funeral Homes === | ||
{{KS Funeral Homes Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Funeral Homes Intro|Decatur}} | ||
=== Genealogies === | |||
===Genealogies=== | |||
{{KS Genealogies Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Genealogies Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Guardianship=== | === Guardianship === | ||
{{KS Guardianship Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Guardianship Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Land and Property Records=== | === Land and Property Records === | ||
{{KS Land Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Land Intro|Decatur}} | ||
''Online Land Records''<br> | |||
''Online Land | |||
*[http://www.kshs.org/p/land-records-and-maps/11083 Land records at Kansas Historical Society]<br> | *[http://www.kshs.org/p/land-records-and-maps/11083 Land records at Kansas Historical Society]<br> | ||
:*[http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223988 1905 Land Plat book for Decatur County] - image of plat book<br> | :*[http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223988 1905 Land Plat book for Decatur County] - image of plat book<br> | ||
:*[http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223989 1921 Land Plat book for Decatur County] - image of plat book<br> | :*[http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223989 1921 Land Plat book for Decatur County] - image of plat book<br> | ||
*[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ Land Patent Search] - index to federal patents and homesteads on the [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx Bureau of Land Management] website, some images available<br> | |||
*[ | *'''1796-1907''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1246 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907] at [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry] - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website<br> | ||
*'''1796-1907''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1246 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907] at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website<br> | *'''1861-1936''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60593 U.S. Homestead Records 1861-1936] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] - ($), index and images<br> | ||
*''' | |||
For more information see [[Kansas Land and Property]]<br> | For more information see [[Kansas Land and Property]]<br> | ||
===Local Histories=== | === Local Histories === | ||
{{KS Histories Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Histories Intro|Decatur}} | ||
{{KS History Intro}} | {{KS History Intro}} | ||
===Maps and Gazetteers=== | === Maps and Gazetteers === | ||
{{KS Maps Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Maps Intro|Decatur}} | ||
{{KS Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{KS Decatur County}}}} | {{KS Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{KS Decatur County}}}} | ||
=== Migration === | |||
===Migration=== | |||
{{KS Migration Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Migration Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Military Records=== | === Military Records === | ||
{{KS Military Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Military Intro|Decatur}} | ||
=== Naturalization and Citizenship === | |||
===Naturalization and Citizenship=== | |||
{{KS Naturalization Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Naturalization Intro|Decatur}} | ||
=== Newspapers === | |||
===Newspapers=== | |||
{{KS Newspapers Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Newspapers Intro|Decatur}} | ||
''Kansas Newspapers Online''<br> | ''Kansas Newspapers Online''<br> | ||
*[https://www.newspapers.com/ Kansas Newspapers at Newspapers.com] - ($), [http://www.kshs.org/ancestry/drivers/dlverify free to Kansas residents] through [http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-digital-newspaper-program/16126 Kansas Historical Society] | *[https://www.newspapers.com/ Kansas Newspapers at Newspapers.com] - ($), [http://www.kshs.org/ancestry/drivers/dlverify free to Kansas residents] through [http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-digital-newspaper-program/16126 Kansas Historical Society] | ||
*[http://www.genealogybank.com/explore/newspapers/all/usa/kansas GenealogyBank] - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers | *[http://www.genealogybank.com/explore/newspapers/all/usa/kansas GenealogyBank] - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers | ||
*[http://newspaperarchive.com/us/kansas/ Newspaper Archive] - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers | *[http://newspaperarchive.com/us/kansas/ Newspaper Archive] - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers | ||
*[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/?state=Kansasðnicity=&language= Chronicling America] - contains images of some Kansas newspapers; [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/help/#basic_searching searching tips] | *[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/?state=Kansasðnicity=&language= Chronicling America] - contains images of some Kansas newspapers; [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/help/#basic_searching searching tips] | ||
*[http://elephind.com/ Elephind] - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites | |||
''Kansas Newspaper Catalogs'' | ''Kansas Newspaper Catalogs'' | ||
*[https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/usa/ks Kansas Online Historical Newspapers] - contains a list of known Kansas newspapers online and the websites they are found on | |||
*[https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/ | |||
*[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/titles/ U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present] on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper | *[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/titles/ U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present] on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper | ||
===Obituaries=== | === Obituaries === | ||
{{KS Obituaries Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Obituaries Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Other Records=== | === Other Records === | ||
{{KS Other Records Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Other Records Intro|Decatur}} | ||
''' | '''Voter Records'''<br> | ||
*'''1854''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4099 Kansas Election List, 1854] at [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry] — ($), Index | |||
*'''1854 - 1856''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3961 Kansas Voter Registration Lists, 1854-1856] at [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry] — ($), Index | |||
=== Periodicals === | |||
===Periodicals=== | |||
{{KS Periodicals Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Periodicals Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Probate Records=== | === Probate Records === | ||
{{KS Probate Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Probate Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===School Records=== | '''Online Records | ||
*'''1803 – 1987''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9065 Kansas Wills and Probate Records 1803-1987] at [http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index and images $ | |||
=== School Records === | |||
{{KS Schools Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Schools Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Tax Records=== | === Tax Records === | ||
{{KS Tax Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Tax Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Vital Records=== | === Vital Records === | ||
{{KS Vital Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Vital Intro|Decatur}} | ||
====Birth==== | ==== Birth ==== | ||
{{KS Birth Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Vital Records - Birth Intro|Decatur}} | ||
*'''1818 - 1936''' {{RecordSearch|1674839|Kansas, Births and Christenings, 1818-1936}} at [https://familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] — index | |||
*'''1818-1936''' {{RecordSearch|1674839|Kansas, Births and Christenings, 1818-1936}} at [https:// | |||
= | *'''1885 - 1911''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2567 Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index $ | ||
==== Marriage ==== | |||
{{KS Vital Records - Marriage Intro|Decatur}} | |||
== | *'''1800 - 1946''' - [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=kansas United States Marriages – Kansas, 1800-1946] at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records findmypast] — ($), Index and images | ||
{{ | *'''1811 - 1911''' - {{RecordSearch|2381595|Kansas, Marriages, 1811-1911}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/hr/search FamilySearch] — Index | ||
*'''1811 - 1911''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61371 Kansas, County Marriages, 1811-1911] at [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry] — ($), Index | |||
*'''1840 - 1935''' - {{RecordSearch|1674845|Kansas, Marriages, 1840-1935}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/hr/search FamilySearch.org] — Index | |||
*'''1854 - 1861''' - [http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-marriage-index/11315 KHS Kansas Marriage Index, 1854-1861] at [http://www.kshs.org/p/research/19385 Kansas Historical Society] — Index | |||
==== Death ==== | |||
{{KS Vital Records - Death Intro|Decatur}} | |||
*'''1880, 1885-1911''' [http://www.ksgenweb.com/decatur/links_to_deaths_in_decatur_count.htm Links to Deaths] in Decatur County links to Obituaries, 1880 Mortality Schedule, Registered Deaths November 28, 1885-July 1, 1911, and The Obituary Daily Times web site | |||
{{ | *'''1885 - 1930''' {{RecordSearch|1674844|Kansas, Deaths and Burials, 1885-1930}} at [https://familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] — index | ||
*'''1885 - 1930''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2570 Kansas, Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index $ | |||
==Research Facilities== | ==== Divorce ==== | ||
{{KS Vital Records - Divorce Intro|Decatur}} | |||
== Research Facilities == | |||
{{KS Research Facilities Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Research Facilities Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Archives=== | === Archives === | ||
{{KS Archives Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Archives Intro|Decatur}} | ||
=== | === Family History Centers === | ||
{{ | {{Family History Centers Intro}} | ||
=== Libraries === | |||
===Libraries=== | |||
{{KS Libraries Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Libraries Intro|Decatur}} | ||
===Museums=== | === Museums === | ||
{{KS Museums Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Museums Intro|Decatur}} | ||
== Societies == | |||
{{KS Societies Intro|Decatur}} | |||
'''Decatur County | '''Decatur County Genealogical Society'''<br> 258 South Penn<br> Oberlin KS 67749 <br> | ||
==Websites== | == Websites == | ||
{{KS Websites Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Websites Intro|Decatur}} | ||
*{{ | *[http://www.thegagenweb.com/gadecatur/ USGenWeb project.] May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. | ||
*{{FHL Place IDNum|203734|Kansas|Decatur}}The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records | |||
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/KS/Decatur/ Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium) | |||
==Research Guides== | == Research Guides == | ||
{{KS Research Guides Intro|Decatur}} | {{KS Research Guides Intro|Decatur}} | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
{{Kansas|Kansas}} | {{Kansas|Kansas}} | ||
[[Category:Decatur_County,_Kansas]] | [[Category:Decatur_County,_Kansas]][[Category:Kansas_Counties]] | ||
[[Category:Kansas_Counties]] | |||
Revision as of 11:38, 26 October 2017
Guide to Decatur County, Kansas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, of the United States Navy. [2] The County has Oberlin as its seat and the County was created March 20, 1873. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Decatur County Courthouse
120 E. Hall
P.O. Box 89
Oberlin, Kansas 66749-0089
Phone: 785.475.8102
Decatur County Website
Clerk District Court has birth, marriage and death records 1885-1913, divorce and court records from 1881, probate records from 1891 and naturalization records from 1880.
Register of Deeds has land records from 1878 and military discharge records from 1862. [1]
Decatur County, Kansas Record Dates[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1885 | 1885 | 1885 | 1881 | 1878 | 1891 | 1855 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are locations in Decatur County, Kansas:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
|
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| Townships | ||
|
|
|
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Decatur County Cemeteries gives the location of each cemetery and a transcription of graves in that cemetery. Some cemeteries have not been transcribed as yet.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1880 | 4,180 | — |
| 1890 | 8,414 | 101.3% |
| 1900 | 9,234 | 9.7% |
| 1910 | 8,976 | −2.8% |
| 1920 | 8,121 | −9.5% |
| 1930 | 8,866 | 9.2% |
| 1940 | 7,434 | −16.2% |
| 1950 | 6,185 | −16.8% |
| 1960 | 5,778 | −6.6% |
| 1970 | 4,988 | −13.7% |
| 1980 | 4,509 | −9.6% |
| 1990 | 4,021 | −10.8% |
| 2000 | 3,472 | −13.7% |
| 2010 | 2,961 | −14.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Kansas became a territory in 1854 and the first territory census taken was in 1855. It was also enumerated as Kansas Territory in the 1860 Federal Census, although there were 15 counties that were marked with "no population" in them. The state continued to take state censuses after it was admitted to the Union in 1861.[7] See links listed below.
State and Territorial Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1855-1925 - Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 at Ancestry — ($), Index and images; covers census years 1855-1859, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925
- 1860 - 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory at FamilySearch — Index and images
- 1860 - 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Kansas Territory at Ancestry — ($), Index and images
- 1865 - Kansas State Census, 1865 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1875 - Kansas State Census, 1875 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1885 - Kansas State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch — images
- 1895 - Kansas State Census, 1895 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1919-1961 - Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961 at Ancestry — Partial index (4 counties) and images
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
The 1870 Census was the first Federal Census taken for Kansas after it became a state in 1861.[8] For links to Federal Census indexes, see Kansas Census.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Most church records are held by individual churches. For contact information, check a phone directory, such as SearchBug or Dex Knows. Some denominations are gathering their records into a central repository. For more information about these major repositories, see Kansas Church Records.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Kansas Land and Property for additional information about early Kansas land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Records
- 1905 Land Plat book for Decatur County - image of plat book
- 1921 Land Plat book for Decatur County - image of plat book
- 1905 Land Plat book for Decatur County - image of plat book
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796-1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1861-1936 - U.S. Homestead Records 1861-1936 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
For more information see Kansas Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Kansas Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
Click a neighboring county
for more resources
for more resources
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Kansas Newspapers.
Kansas Newspapers Online
- Kansas Newspapers at Newspapers.com - ($), free to Kansas residents through Kansas Historical Society
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Kansas newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Kansas newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
Kansas Newspaper Catalogs
- Kansas Online Historical Newspapers - contains a list of known Kansas newspapers online and the websites they are found on
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voter Records
- 1854 - Kansas Election List, 1854 at Ancestry — ($), Index
- 1854 - 1856 - Kansas Voter Registration Lists, 1854-1856 at Ancestry — ($), Index
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
In most counties in Kansas, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, inventories, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for Kansas, Decatur and click Probate records.
Online Records
- 1803 – 1987 Kansas Wills and Probate Records 1803-1987 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Kansas tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. Tax lists were usually made every year, however, there may be gaps of several years. For more information, see the wiki page Kansas Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents.
A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also Kansas Vital Records. For information about restrictions and costs for certificates, see the CDC Where to Write for Vital Records site.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Template:KS Vital Records - Birth Intro
- 1818 - 1936 Kansas, Births and Christenings, 1818-1936 at FamilySearch.org — index
- 1885 - 1911 Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911 at Ancestry.com — index $
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1800 - 1946 - United States Marriages – Kansas, 1800-1946 at findmypast — ($), Index and images
- 1811 - 1911 - Kansas, Marriages, 1811-1911 at FamilySearch — Index
- 1811 - 1911 - Kansas, County Marriages, 1811-1911 at Ancestry — ($), Index
- 1840 - 1935 - Kansas, Marriages, 1840-1935 at FamilySearch.org — Index
- 1854 - 1861 - KHS Kansas Marriage Index, 1854-1861 at Kansas Historical Society — Index
Death[edit | edit source]
Template:KS Vital Records - Death Intro
- 1880, 1885-1911 Links to Deaths in Decatur County links to Obituaries, 1880 Mortality Schedule, Registered Deaths November 28, 1885-July 1, 1911, and The Obituary Daily Times web site
- 1885 - 1930 Kansas, Deaths and Burials, 1885-1930 at FamilySearch.org — index
- 1885 - 1930 Kansas, Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930 at Ancestry.com — index $
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Template:KS Vital Records - Divorce Intro
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Decatur County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Kansas Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Template:Family History Centers Intro
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Decatur County. For state-wide library facilities, see Kansas Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Decatur County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Kansas Societies.
Decatur County Genealogical Society
258 South Penn
Oberlin KS 67749
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- FamilySearch Catalog The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
- Decatur County, Kansas Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Decatur, Kansas Genealogy and History”, "http://genealogytrails.com/kan/decatur/ 8/10/2017."
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Decatur, Kansas," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur_County,_Kansas" 8/10/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Decatur County, Kansas. Page 249 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ “Kansas Research Outline”, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Department, 2000), 40.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "DecaturCounty, Kansas," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_County,_Kansas#Communities, accessed 14 September 2017.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 118-119.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 119.