Kentucky Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Kentucky|Kentucky ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  '''[[Kentucky_Vital_Records|Vital Records]]'''''
{{KY-sidebar}}
 
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== '''Introduction to Vital Records'''  ==
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
{{Adoption KYGenWeb}}[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Kentucky.htm Kentucky Vital Records State Department of Health] or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. See also [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/RG/frameset_rg.asp?Dest=E&Juris1=363 Kentucky Statewide Indexes and Collections] at the Family History Library.
| link3=[[Kentucky, United States Genealogy|Kentucky]]
 
| link4=
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" width="100%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
| link5=[[Kentucky Vital Records|Vital Records]]
|-
}}
| width="44%" | __TOC__
<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|350px]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>  
</div>
=== Vital Records Reference Dates ===
== Kentucky Vital Records Dates ==  
 
{| class="wikitable" width="38%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
Kentucky's civil records start the following years:
 
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" width="100%"
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16%" | <br>
| width="7%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Vital_Records#Birth_Records Birth]'''  
| width="13%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[Kentucky Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''*
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Vital_Records#Marriage_Records Marriage]'''  
| width="6%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[Kentucky Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Vital_Records#Death_Records Death]'''
| width="12%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[Kentucky Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''*
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | Earliest
| width="7%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''County/Town'''
| align="center" width="16%" | 1852
| width="13%" align="center" |1853-1862<br>1874-1878<br>1892-1910
| align="center" width="16%" | 1785
| width="6%" align="center" | County<br>Formation
| align="center" width="16%" | 1852
| width="12%" align="center" |1853-1862<br>1874-1878<br>1892-1910
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | Statewide Registration  
| width="7%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''Statewide Registration'''
| align="center" width="16%" | 1911  
| width="13%" align="center" | 1911  
| align="center" width="16%" | 1958  
| width="6%" align="center" | 1958
| align="center" width="16%" | 1911
| width="12%" align="center" | 1911
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16%" | General Compliance  
| colspan="4"|*See [[Kentucky Vital Records#Coverage and Compliance|Coverage and Compliance]] (below) for details
| align="center" width="16%" | 1920
| align="center" width="16%" | From county inception date&nbsp;
| align="center" width="16%" | 1920
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>


|}
== Online Resources ==


== Kentucky&nbsp;Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==
===Births===
*'''1839-1960''' {{RecordSearch|1674843|Kentucky Births and Christenings, 1839-1960}} at FamilySearch — [[Kentucky Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1847-1911''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1213 Kentucky Birth Records, 1847-1911] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852–1914''' {{FSC|40960|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records: 1852–1914}}(*); Kentucky Division of Archives and Records at FamilySearch Catalog
*'''1874-1910''' {{FSC|342402|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records, Births, 1874-1878, 1907–1910}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog
*'''1911-1999''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8788 Kentucky Birth Index, 1911-1999] at Ancestry — index ($); ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10007/kentucky-births-1911-1999?s=275764761 MyHeritage]($)''
*'''1911–1995''' {{FSC|740438|item|disp=Birth Index, 1911-1995}}(*); Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images


The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Kentucky Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]].&nbsp; Most online resources for Kentucky Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index.
===Marriages===
*'''Pre-1800'' '''Kentucky Marriages, Early to 1800: A Research Tool,'' by Jordan Dodd. Bountiful, Utah: Precision Indexing, 1990. {{FSC|627577|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.9 V28k}}; {{WorldCat|22698007|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDB|439590}}
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=kentucky US Marriages - Kentucky, 1600's to 1900's] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1700-1909''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/kentucky-wills-deeds-and-marriages-1700-1909-published-1929 Kentucky Wills, Deeds, and Marriages, 1700-1909] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1780-1865''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48035 Kentucky Marriage Records, by county] at Ancestry — images ($)
*'''1783-1965''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61372 Kentucky County Marriages Records, 1783-1965] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1785-1979''' {{RecordSearch|1674849| Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979}} at FamilySearch — [[Kentucky Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index 
*'''1785-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20622/kentucky-marriages?s=275764761 Kentucky Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1795-1850''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3455 Northern Kentucky Marriages, 1795-1850] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1797-1865''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48582 Kentucky Marriages, 1797-1865] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1797-1954''' {{RecordSearch|1804888|Kentucky County Marriages, 1797-1954}} at FamilySearch — [[Kentucky, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1802-1850''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2089 Kentucky Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1851-1900''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4428 Kentucky Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1852-1914''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1117 Kentucky Marriage Records, 1852-1914] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852–1914''' {{FSC|40960|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records: 1852–1914}}(*); Kentucky Division of Archives and Records at FamilySearch Catalog — images
*'''1874–1914''' {{FSC|342402|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records, Marriages, 1874–1878, 1906–1914}} (*); Kentucky Division of Archives and Records at FamilySearch Catalog — images
*'''1960-1993''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10082/kentucky-marriages-1960-1993?s=275764761 Kentucky Marriages, 1960-1993] at MyHeritage; — index ($)
*'''1973–1995''' {{FSC|725423|item|disp=Marriage Indexes, 1973–1995}}(*); Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images; separate bride and groom indexes  
*'''1973-1999''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8787 Kentucky Marriage Index, 1973-1999] at Ancestry — index ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48035 Kentucky Marriage Records] at Ancestry — index ($)


*[http://ukcc.uky.edu/vitalrec/ Kentucky Vital Records Index]&nbsp; Death index&nbsp;1911-1992; Marriage index 1973-1993; Divorce index 1973-1993 - Free
===Deaths===
*{{RecordSearch|1674843|Kentucky Births and Christenings, 1839-1960}}&nbsp;Index to birth records.&nbsp; Not all records are complete for early years.  
*'''1843-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1674848|Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970}} at FamilySearch — [[Kentucky Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index 
*{{RecordSearch|1674849|Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979}}&nbsp;Index to&nbsp;marriage records. Not all records are complete for early years.
*'''1852–1914''' {{FSC|40960|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records: 1852–1914}}(*); Kentucky Division of Archives and Records at FamilySearch Catalog - images
*{{RecordSearch|1674848|Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970}}&nbsp;Index to death&nbsp;records.&nbsp; Not all records are complete for early years.
*'''1852-1965''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1222 Kentucky Death Records, 1852-1965] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=20&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Kentucky Birth, Marriage &amp; Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $&nbsp;includes images of all of known existing births and deaths, and many marriages records.
*'''1874-1910''' {{FSC|342402|item|disp=Kentucky Vital Records, Deaths, 1874–1876, 1905–1910}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/kentucky.htm Kentucky Certificates] online -&nbsp;<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$&nbsp; Birth and death records from 1911 to the present. Marriage and divorce records from June 1958<br><br>
*'''1900-1999''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10046/kentucky-deaths-1900-1999?s=275764761 Kentucky Deaths, 1900-1999] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1911-1962''' {{FSC|760045|item|disp=Kentucky Death Certificates, 1911-1962}}(*) Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Catalog - images
*'''1911-1967''' {{RecordSearch|1417491|Kentucky Death Records, 1911-1967}} at FamilySearch — [[Kentucky Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1911-2000''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3077 Kentucky Death Index, 1911-2000] at Ancestry — index ($)
*[http://db.thebookplace.org/search/kydeaths.asp Kentucky Death Index] at Boyd County Library


== Birth and Death Records  ==
===Divorce===
*See [[Kentucky Divorce Records|Kentucky Divorce Records]] for more resources.


'''Birth and Death Records Prior to 1852'''  
==Print Publications==
*'''1797-1865''' ''Kentucky Marriages, 1797–1865,'' by Garrett Glenn Clift. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub., 1966, 1940. {{FSC|88200|item|disp= FS Catalog book 976.9 V28cg}}; {{WorldCat|484697|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};
*''Kentucky Marriage Records,'' by Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub., 1983. {{FSC|346136|item|disp= FS Catalog book 976.9 V2km}}; {{WorldCat|9973019|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};


No births or deaths were recorded by civil authorities before 1852. You may find some information on pre-1852 births and deaths in genealogies, histories, church and Bible records, and collections of personal papers.  
== Get Copies ==
''Restrictions:''<br>
*Births become public records 100 years after the event; Deaths become public records 50 years after the event<ref>[https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=8746#:~:text=%2D%2D%20Public%20records.-,(1)%20To%20protect%20the%20integrity%20of%20vital%20records%2C%20to,by%20the%20public%20upon%20request. 213.131 Inspection of records -- Public records] Statutes Effective: June 20, 2005 History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 441, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 426, sec. 390, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 369, sec. 25, effective July 13, 1990. accessed 26 February 2025</ref>
*Marriage records are public


There are many collections, books, etc. that have been created to fill this gap in the civil records. One such book is "Kentucky Obituaries 1787-1854" <ref>G. Glenn Clift, published by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. </ref>


'''Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1852–1910'''
'''Kentucky Department of Public Health'''<br>
Office of Vital Statistics<br>
275 East Main Street, 1 E-A<br>
Frankfort, KY 40621<br>
Phone: (502) 564-4212<br>
[https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/default.aspx Website]<br>
*What they have (per their site February, 2025):
:*Birth records, 1911-present
:*Marriage and divorce records June, 1958-present
:*Death Records, 1911-present


Kentucky law required counties to record births, marriages, and deaths as early as 1852. Unfortunately, this law was repealed in 1862. Registration was again attempted from 1874 to 1879 and sporadically from 1892 to 1910. Although compliance with the early registration laws was inconsistent, the records which do exist are a good resource for genealogists.  
* Links to order forms: [https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Forms/VS37BirthApp.pdf Birth], [https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Forms/VS230MARRIAGEDIVORCEAPP.pdf Marriage], [https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Forms/VS31DeathApp.pdf Death]
:*Order records [https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/kentucky/kentucky-office-of-vital-statistics?click_id=857091737876627458&ppc=0&click_id=857091737876627458&ppc=0 online] through VitalChek


The Department for Libraries and Archives has the records for 1852 to 1910. The Family History Library, Kentucky Historical Society, Filson Club, and other Kentucky repositories have copies of many of these records. Some of these have been extracted, and the names appear on the FamilySearch™ International Genealogical Index. Records at the Family History Library include:


*''Kentucky Vital Records: 1852–1914''. <ref>Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Division of Archives and Records, 1975. ({{FHL|40960|titleno}} On 8 Family History Library films begining with 1533971.) </ref>The records are arranged alphabetically by county.
'''Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives'''<br>
300 Coffee Tree Road<br>
Frankfort, KY 40601<br>
Phone: (502) 564-8300<br>
Fax: (502) 564-5773<br>
[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Pages/Research-Guides.aspx Website]<br>
*County records but varies by county:
:*Births to 1910; Deaths to 1965<Ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-BirthandDeathRecords.pdf Kentucky Birth and Death Records] handout by Kentucky Department of Archives and Libraries, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 February 2025</ref>
:*Marriages to 1910<ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-MarriageRecords.pdf Kentucky Marriage Records] handout by Kentucky Department of Archives and Libraries, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 February 2025</ref>


*''Kentucky Vital Records''. <ref>Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1958. ({{FHL|342402|titleno}} On 11 films beginning with 174932.) </ref>This includes Kentucky Births 1874-1878, 1907–1910; Marriages 1874–1878, 1906–1914; Deaths 1874–1876, 1905–1910.
* Links to order forms: [https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/birth.pdf Birth];&nbsp;&nbsp; [https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Marriage.pdf Marriage]; &nbsp;&nbsp;[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/death.pdf Death]


*The Kentucky Historical Society has an incomplete index to the 1852-1878.&nbsp; This index is printed in ''The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society ''{{FHL|44086|titleno}} in volumes 38-41 and 43-63.&nbsp; To find a descripton of the time periods and&nbsp;records covered by this index consult &nbsp;[[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|PERSI]].&nbsp;
'''County Courthouses'''<br>
*Marriages: each county clerk has the original records as filed in their county<ref>Spoke directly to Fulton County clerk, Naomi Jones, 270-236-2727. All clerks have the original records. They periodically are responsible to microfilm. They keep the originals. Per phone 3/12/2025.</ref>
*Births and deaths: May or may not be at the county level. <ref>None of calls made in March, 2025 answered my question satisfactorily as to where the old original registers or papers are preserved. Called Hickman County (270 653-3901), called Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (859 252-2371), called Office of Vital Records (spoke to a clerk) and called Department of Libraries and Archives. That person did say that some counties sent their early records to them. Perhaps this can be cleared up in the future.</ref>
:*If you know where the person was born, married, or died, you may contact the county clerk directly.<ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-MarriageRecords.pdf ''Kentucky Marriage Records''] handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22. accessed 26 February, 2025</ref><br>
:*[https://kaco.org/county-information/county-officials-directory/ ''County Officials Directory''] at Kentucky Association of Counties


*[http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=20&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Kentucky Birth Records 1852-1910] ($) indexed with images.


'''Birth and Death Records, 1911–Present'''  
'''Lexington Public Library, Kentucky Room''' <br>
Central Library<br>
140 East Main Street<br>
Lexington, KY 40507<br>
Phone: 859-231-5500<br>
[https://www.lexpublib.org/genealogy-and-local-history Website]


Beginning 1 January 1911, Kentucky again required the registration of births and deaths. Registration was generally complied with by 1917. The Family History Library has birth and death indexes and death records covering this period:
*The Kentucky Room has many bound volumes of ''indexes'' of births and deaths for 1911 to about 1995 which were created by the Office of Vital Statistics.<ref>Ending date not certain called 13 March 2025. (859 231-5500 then transferred to Kentucky Room) </ref>


*''Birth Index, 1911–1995'' <ref>Kentucky. Office of Vital Statistics. ''Birth Index, 1911–1995''. [Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics], 1997. ({{FHL|740438|titleno}} On 1038 Family History Library fiche, beginning with 6118873) </ref>The index lists the child’s name, birth date and county, and mother’s maiden name.
== Coverage and Compliance ==
*&nbsp;[http://ukcc.uky.edu/vitalrec/ Kentucky Death Index for 1911-1986] and [http://ukcc.uky.edu/vitalrec/ 1987-1992].&nbsp; Indexes to selected Kentucky vital records from data acquired from Kentucky's state Office of Vital Statistics


Application forms and instructions for birth, death, and marriage certificates can be acquired from the [http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/vital/ Office of Vital Statistics].  
''Births and Deaths:''<ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-BirthandDeathRecords.pdf Kentucky Birth and Death Records] Handout by Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 Feb 2025</ref><br>
*'''1852-1862''' Registration was assigned to the [county] tax assessors who recorded events submitted by clergy, midwives, or doctors in attendance, as well as the head of household. Compliance with the law was minimal, and often incomplete or inaccurate
*'''1874-1878''' Records were kept intermittently through 1878
*'''1891-1910''' A few counties kept scattered records
*'''1910-present''' High compliance by 1920


Kentucky death certificates are also on microfilm at the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, beginning with 1911. Another resource for researching Kentucky birth and death indexes from 1911 to 1988 can be found at the Kentucky Room of the Lexington Central Public Library, the Louisville Free Public Library, the Kenton County Public Library, and many other libraries across Kentucky. See [[Kentucky Archives and Libraries]] for their addresses. The Kentucky Room contains 130 bound volumes of birth and death indexes for 1911 to 1969&nbsp;which were created by the Office of Vital Statistics. Microfiche is available for 1911 to 1988 (only to 1986 for deaths). The births are indexed by name of the child and name of the mother.
Notes:<br>
*Early compliance for registering births was highest when midwives or doctors were used
*Registering deaths was highest when doctors or funeral homes were used
*In the early birth and death registration years, there may be under-representation for African Americans


*''[http://ukcc.uky.edu/vitalrec/ Kentucky Vital Records Index]''. <ref>&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;In the University of Kentucky [Internet site] Lexington, Kentucky: University of Kentucky. [cited 25 October 1999]. Available at &amp;lt;a href="http://ukcc.uky.edu/%7Evitalrec/"&amp;gt;http://ukcc.uky.edu/~vitalrec/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; . &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;</ref>This contains indexes to selected vital records including: Death Index for 1911–1986, Death Index for 1987–1992, Marriage Index for 1973–1993, and Divorce Index for 1973–1993.
''Marriages:''<br>  
*[http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=20&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Kentucky Birth, Marriage, and Death Records 1911-1953] index with images.&nbsp; ($)
*There was customarily high compliance with white marriages, due to the community's interest and to civil or church authorities performing the marriage
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8788 Kentucky Birth Index 1911-1999]
:*As late as 1980, the registrar of vital statistics estimated that 20% of all marriages recorded in Kentucky’s counties were not reported to the state.<ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-MarriageRecords.pdf ''Kentucky Marriage Records''] handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22, access 25 February, 2025</ref>


'''Birth and Death Records Kept by Cities before 1911'''  
== Information in the Records ==
=== Birth Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Kentucky Birth Records May Include*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information
|}


Before 1911, several major cities kept separate records of births and deaths. The most complete collection of pre-1911 city births is at the Office of Vital Statistics. It has records for the following cities. Records for Louisville {{FHL|436879|titleno}}&nbsp; and Newport {{FHL|745445|titleno}} are also at the Family History Library.  
[[United_States_Birth_Records#Content_of_Birth_Records|Information in birth records]] can vary, depending upon the who made the report (midwife,  doctor, parent, etc.).


<br>  
*Some cities recorded births and deaths before 1910<ref>'''Kentucky Cities with Early Birth and Death Records'''  
 
'''Kentucky Cities with Early Birth and Death Records'''  


{| width="75%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
{| width="75%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
Line 120: Line 209:
| width="16%" align="center" | 1899
| width="16%" align="center" | 1899
|}
|}
The most complete collection of pre-1911 city births is at the Office of Vital Statistics.
</ref>


<br>The Department of Archives and Libraries and the Kentucky Historical Society have copies of some of these city records. The Lexington Public Library also has copies of the Lexington records. The Filson Club and the Family History Library have copies of the Louisville and Newport records.<br>


== Marriage Records ==
'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|Delayed birth records]] were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits or for passports.<br>


County marriage records are the earliest and most complete vital records for Kentucky. The records that have survived usually begin within a few years of each county’s organization. Lincoln, Fayette, and Jefferson Counties have marriage records dating from the 1780s. Marriages prior to 1798 were under Virginia law.
''See also:''<br>
*[[GuidedResearch:Kentucky|Kentucky Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Kentucky Birth Records|How to Find Kentucky Birth Records]]
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
*[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|United States Delayed Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]
<gallery>
</gallery>


Marriage records from the earliest dates to the present are kept by the county clerk for each county. Since 1958, duplicates have been sent to the Office of Vital Statistics.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


The most complete collection of early marriage record is in the Department of Libraries and Archives. Major archives such as the University of Kentucky Library have microfilm copies of marriage records for many Kentucky counties. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most of the existing county marriage records from the beginning dates to about 1925. Many of these have been extracted and appear on the International Genealogical Index (IGI).
=== Marriage Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Kentucky Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Ages or Dates/Places of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Witnesses'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information<br>** May be previous married name of bride
|-
|}


Many published marriage records that are available include:  
County marriage records may be the earliest and most complete vital records for Kentucky. Most counties began recording and retaining marriage records soon after each was organized. <br>
:*Marriage records can include bonds, consents or permissions, licenses, certificates, ministers’ returns, and registers<ref>[https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Documents/Handout-MarriageRecords.pdf ''Kentucky Marriage Records''] Handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22, accessed Februrary 25, 2025</ref><ref>See [[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] for an explanation of each type of marriage record and information each may contain.</ref>


*''Kentucky Records: Early Wills and Marriages Copied from Court House Records by Regents, Historians and the State Historian, Old Bible Records and Tombstone Inscriptions, Records from Barren, Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Daviess, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mason, Montgomery, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Scott, and Shelby Counties. 1926, 1932''. <ref>Ardery, Julia Hoge Spencer. ''Kentucky Records: Early Wills and Marriages Copied from Court House Records by Regents, Historians and the State Historian, Old Bible Records and Tombstone Inscriptions, Records from Barren, Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Daviess, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mason, Montgomery, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Scott, and Shelby Counties. 1926, 1932''. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1969, 1972. ( {{FHL|86046|titleno}}, {{{FHL|6049306|fiche}}.) </ref>An index is included with this record.
Notes:<br>
*The couple or a parent provided the information
*Certificates and "returns" are proof of marriage
*Bonds, licenses, and consents are not proof that the marriage took place


*''Kentucky Marriages, 1797–1865''. <ref>Clift, Garrett Glenn. ''Kentucky Marriages, 1797–1865''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub., 1966, 1940. ( {{FHL|88200|titleno}}, {{FHL|1320550|film}} film item 11 1966 edition.) </ref>This record includes marriage notices from Lexington newspapers reprinted in The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society.


*''Kentucky Marriage Records''. <ref>The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub., 1983. ({{FHL|346136|titleno}} )</ref>An index is included with this record.
'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county they lived in.<br> For those from Kentucky, these locations include:<ref>Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref><br>
*Maysville, [[Mason County, Kentucky Genealogy|Mason County, Kentucky]]
*[[Pike County, Kentucky Genealogy|Pike County, Kentucky]]
*[[Brown County, Ohio Genealogy|Aberdeen, Ohio]]
*[[Hamilton County, Ohio Genealogy|Cincinnati, Ohio]]
*[[Vanderburgh County, Indiana Genealogy|Evansville, Indiana]]


*''Kentucky Marriages, Early to 1800: A Research Tool''. <ref>Bountiful, Utah: Precision Indexing, 1990. ({{FHL|627577|titleno}})Book, {{FHL|CD-ROM no. 186}} CD_ROM copy 2 )</ref>The names are arranged in alphabetical order.


*''Marriage Records''. <ref>Orem, Utah: Automated Archives, 1994. (Family History Library compact disc no. 9 part 2.)</ref> This does not circulate to Family History Centers. It contains marriage records for many Kentucky counties from the late 1700s to the early 1900s as well as marriage records from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. Dates vary with the county. It is also indexed in FamilyFinder Index and Viewer (see [[Kentucky Census]]).
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Kentucky|Kentucky Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records|How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records]]
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
*[[Kentucky_Divorce_Records|Kentucky Divorce Records]]


*''Kentucky, 1851–1900''. <ref>Liahona Research (Orem, Utah), 1998. (Family History Library compact disc no.9 part 233 [on 4 discs].) </ref>This does not circulate to Family History Centers. These are images of the original records. It contains approximately 318,000 names. It is also indexed in FamilyFinder Index and Viewer (see the "[[Kentucky Census|Census]]" page).
<div style="clear:both"></div>
=== Death Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Kentucky Death Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less information
|}


*{{RecordSearch|1674849| Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979}} Index to state-wide marriages. - Free
[[United_States_Death_Records#Information_Found_on_a_Death_Certificate_or_Record|Death information]] can vary, depending on who reported them. (Funeral home directors, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, and relatives)


Beginning in 1958, Kentucky again required statewide registration of marriages. These records have been indexed and are found at the Office of Vital Statistics. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records. They do, however, have an statewide index to marriages covering 1973 to 1995 in Kentucky.


*''Marriage Indexes, 1973–1995''. <ref>Office of Vital Statistics. ''Marriage Indexes, 1973–1995''. Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, 1997. ({{FHL|725423|titleno}} Set of 173 fiche beginning with 6118875) </ref>This record has separate bride and groom indexes.
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:Kentucky|Kentucky Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Kentucky Death Records|How to Find Kentucky Death Records]]
*[[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death Records]]
* [[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]


'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' Many '''eloping couples '''went to Maysville, [[Mason County, Kentucky|Mason County]] and [[Pike County, Kentucky|Pike County]], Kentucky to be married avoiding the waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage. Others may have crossed the Ohio River and gone to places like [[Brown County, Ohio|Aberdeen]] or [[Hamilton County, Ohio|Cincinnati]] in Ohio, or even to [[Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Evansville, Indiana]].<ref name="Eakle1">&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at &amp;lt;a href="http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/"&amp;gt;http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; (accessed 8 January 2011).&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;</ref><ref>&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;Arlene H. Eakle, "Charles H. Browning and Your Genealogy" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at &amp;lt;a href="http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/charles-h-browning-and-your-genealogy/"&amp;gt;http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/charles-h-browning-and-your-genealogy/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; (accessed 8 January 2011).&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;</ref><br>


== [[Image:Kentucky death certificate amanda pitt.jpg|thumb|right]]Death Records  ==
'''Cause of Death'''<br>
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.


Because much of the information about the availability of death records in Kentucky is similiar to birth records, see the discussion about these records under the heading ''[[Kentucky Vital Records#Birth_and_Death_Records|Births and Deaths]].''
<div style="clear:both"></div>


*''Kentucky Death Index, 1911–1995''. <ref>Kentucky. Office of Vital Statistics. ''Kentucky Death Index, 1911–1995''. [Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics], 1997. ({{FHL|740629|titleno}}On 188fiche, beginning with 6118879].) </ref>The index contains the deceased’s name, death date and place, age, and place of residence as well as the volume and certificate number.
== Additional Information ==
*''Kentucky Death Certificates, 1911–1947''. <ref>Kentucky. Office of Vital Statistics. ''Kentucky Death Certificates, 1911–1947''. Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, 1993–1998. ({{FHL|760045|titleno}} On 357 films beginning with 1904664].) </ref>The death certificates are arranged by year, by month, and then alphabetically by county. The certificate numbers are continuousfor each year.
*{{RecordSearch|1674848|Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970}}&nbsp;is an index to many of these records.&nbsp; Not all records are complete for early years.
*The Kentucky Historical Society has an incomplete index to the 1852 to&nbsp;1859 and 1874 to 1878 death&nbsp;records.&nbsp;An index to these recordes is found in the {{FHL|44086|titleno}} ''Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, ''volumes 39-41 and 43-63''.&nbsp; ''To see an index to the titles in these volumes consult [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|PERSI]].
*For an index to deaths occurring during the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census years, see: ''Index, Kentucky Mortality Records, for the Year ending June, 1850, 1860, 1870''. <ref>[N.p.], 1949–1950. ({{FHL|87427|titleno}} FHL Film Item 1 {{FHL|976.9 V23di}}) </ref>These records are arranged by year and list the name of the deceased and the page number in the original records.<br>


== Divorce Records ==
''See also:''<br>
*[[Kentucky Guided Research|Kentucky Guided Research]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*[https://history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-genealogists For Genealogists] at Kentucky Historical Society
*{{FSC|86324|item|disp=''Guide to Public Vital Records in Kentucky,''}} by Historical Records Survey <ref>by Kentucky Historical Records Survey; Service Division. Works Project Administration.  Louisville, Kentucky: HIstorical Records Survey, 1942.</ref> (online book) for the history and availability of vital records in Kentucky up to 1941
*{{FSC|728826|item|disp=''A Guide to Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1852–1910,''}} by Jeffrey Michael Duff <ref>{{FSC|728826|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.9 V23dj 1988}}; {{WorldCat|866144255|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. Public Records Division, 1988.</ref> This book shows the birth, marriage, and death records available for each county and the years they were recorded.
*[https://www.kygenweb.net/vitals/index.html ''Vital Statistics Records''] at KYGemWeb for additional resources and information


In most cases, divorces from 1792 to 1849 were only granted by the Kentucky state legislature.&nbsp; For short time in January 1809, circuit courts had the power to grant divorces.&nbsp; A published list of divorces from 1792 to 1849 can be found in the periodical ''Blue Grass Roots'' ({{
==Strategies==
FHL|976.9 B2b|book}}) beginning with the Spring 1980 issue.&nbsp; These articles are indexed in the [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|Periodical Source Index.]]&nbsp; They are not indexed by surname, only by the title of the article. Some divorce records may be found in the Acts of Kentucky prior to 1850.  
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*Certificate or record is not found:
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
#The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[Kentucky Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[Kentucky Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>
*Blacks/African Americans may be recorded in separate files and indexes.


In 1849, authority was given to county circuit courts to grant divorces.&nbsp; These records can be requested from the Clerk of the County Court.&nbsp; Some Circuit Clerk offices may have records as early as 1802. The Family History Library has divorce records from some Kentucky counties. These records may be found under court records or vital records of the individual county.&nbsp;&nbsp; Since 1958 divorce records have been filed in Frankfort on a state-wide basis. Send for these records to the Office of Vital Statistics. By 1972, the word divorce was replaced with the term "dissolution of marriage".
''See also:''<br>
* [[Kentucky Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


== Adoption Records  ==


Adoption records are [[Kentucky Court Records|court records]].&nbsp;In Kentucky, the following information is available:  
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
 
The following counties had record loss.  Click on the county for more information.<br>
Nonidentifying information may be provided to:<br>The adoptee who is age 18 or older<br>The adoptive parents
{| style="width:100%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-
<br>Identifying information is accessible to: The adoptee who is age 18 or older<br>A birth sibling who is age 18 or older<br>A birth parent
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Allen County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Allen]]
The original birth certificate is availble only by court order.
*[[Anderson County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Anderson]]
 
*[[Ballard County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Ballard]]
If the birth parents have given consent, the adult adoptee may inspect the records pertaining to his or her adoption proceedings upon written request. If the birth parents have not given consent, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services may notify the birth parents that the adult adopted has made a request for information. The notification shall be by personal and confidential contact, without disclosing the identity of the adult adoptee.
*[[Bath County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Bath]]
 
*[[Bell County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Bell]]
If, after a diligent effort, the secretary of the cabinet certifies that both birth parents identified in the original birth certificate are deceased or is unable to locate the parents, then a judge may order that all adoption records shall be open for inspection to the adult adoptee. In any case, the court shall order that only identifying information about the birth parents be shared with the adult adoptee.
*[[Boone County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Boone]]
 
*[[Bourbon County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Bourbon]]
In situations where a preadoptive brother or sister relationship existed, and one or more of these siblings was then adopted, the following procedures shall be followed on an inquiry by one or more of the siblings to the cabinet seeking information about his brother or sister:  
*[[Boyle County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Boyle]]
*[[Bracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Bracken]]
*[[Breathitt County, Kentucky  Genealogy#Record Loss|Breathitt]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Breckinridge County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Breckinridge]]
*[[Butler County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Butler]]
*[[Caldwell County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Caldwell]]
*[[Calloway County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Calloway]]
*[[Carlisle County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Carlisle]]
*[[Christian County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Christian]]
*[[Clay County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Clay]]
*[[Clinton County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Clinton]]
*[[Crittenden County, Kentucky  Genealogy#Record Loss|Crittenden]]
*[[Cumberland County, Kentucky  Genealogy#Record Loss|Cumberland]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Daviess County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Daviess]]
*[[Elliott County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Elliott]]
*[[Estill County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Estill]]
*[[Fayette County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Fayette]]
*[[Floyd County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Floyd]]
*[[Graves County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Graves]]
*[[Grayson County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Grayson]]
*[[Hardin County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Hardin]]
*[[Harlan County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Harlan]]
*[[Harrison County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Harrison]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Hart County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Hart]]
*[[Henry County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Henry]]
*[[Hopkins County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Hopkins]]
*[[Jackson County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Jackson]]
*[[Larue County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Larue]]
*[[Laurel County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Laurel]]
*[[Magoffin County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Magoffin]]
*[[Marion County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Marion]]
*[[Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Marshall]]
*[[Martin County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Martin]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[McCreary County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|McCreary]]
*[[McLean County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|McLean]]
*[[Meade County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Meade]]
*[[Mercer County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Mercer]]
*[[Metcalfe County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Metcalfe]]
*[[Monroe County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Monroe]]
*[[Montgomery County, Kentucky  Genealogy#Record Loss|Montgomery]]
*[[Morgan County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Morgan]]
*[[Ohio County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Ohio]]
*[[Oldham County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Oldham]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Owsley County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Owsley]]
*[[Perry County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Perry]]
*[[Pike County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Pike]]
*[[Powell County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Powell]]
*[[Pulaski County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Pulaski]]
*[[Rockcastle County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Rockcastle]]
*[[Rowan County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Rowan]]
*[[Russell County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Russell]]
*[[Scott County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Scott]]
*[[Simpson County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Simpson]]
|style="width:14%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Spencer County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Spencer]]
*[[Taylor County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Taylor]]
*[[Trigg County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Trigg]]
*[[Trimble County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Trimble]]
*[[Warren County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Warren]]
*[[Washington County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Washington]]
*[[Wayne County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Wayne]]
*[[Whitley County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Whitley]]
*[[Wolfe County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Wolfe]]
*[[Woodford County, Kentucky Genealogy#Record Loss|Woodford]]
|}


In all cases, an adoptee age 18 or older or a preadoptive sibling age 18 or older may file information with the cabinet about himself or herself, his or her present location, and his or her known antecedents, stating his or her interest in being reunited with his or her preadoptive siblings and authorizing the cabinet to release such information to any preadoptive siblings who may make similar inquiry.<br>In any case in which a person age 18 or older requests information about or expresses a desire in being reunited with a preadoptive sibling, the cabinet shall first determine whether the sibling has made similar inquiry. If the sibling has previously authorized release of information, the cabinet shall release the information to the sibling making inquiry. (Kentucky State Statute 199.572; 199.575)
''See also:''<br>
 
The state agency to contact concerning adoption issues is;
 
[http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/adoptionservices.htm Department for Community Based Services, Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children]
 
Toll Free: (800) 928-4303
 
or (502) 564-2147<br>
 
Department for Community Based Services are administered through&nbsp;a network of nine service regions and offices in each of Kentucky's 120 counties under the office of Protection and Permanency.&nbsp; [https://apps.chfs.ky.gov/office_phone/index.aspx Locate the correct service region office].
 
== Additional Helps  ==
 
=== Tips  ===
 
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial,&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
*Records for African American may be recorded in separate files with separate indexes.
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.&nbsp; Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
*Search for Vital Records in the Family History Library Catalog by using a '''Place Search '''and then choosing '''Vital Records'''.&nbsp; Search for&nbsp;'''Kentucky''' to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county '''to locate records kept by the county.
 
=== Research Guides  ===
 
You can learn more about Kentucky vital records in:  
 
*''A Guide to Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1852–1910'' <ref>Duff, Jeffrey Michael. ''A Guide to Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1852–1910''. Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. Public Records Division, 1988. ({{FHL|728826|titleno}} Book) </ref>This book shows the birth, marriage, and death records available for each county and the years they were recorded.
 
See [[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] for more detailed information on the value and content of vital records. For divorce records, see the "[[Kentucky Divorce Records|Divorce Records]]" section.
 
To find vital records, consult the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
 
::KENTUCKY- VITAL RECORDS
::KENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- VITAL RECORDS
::KENTUCKY, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- VITAL RECORDS<br>
 
=== [[Image:Fire.png|thumb|right|110px]]Burned, Lost or Missing Records  ===
 
[http://www.mykentuckygenealogy.com/index.html Kentucky Counties with Burned Courthouses]
 
See the heading "Record Loss" in each individual county. <br>For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:
 
*[http://tnblog.arleneeakle.com/2009/04/13/when-the-records-are-gone/ Arlene Eakle, ''When the Records are Gone'' in Tennessee Genealogy Blog]
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki]]  
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research in FamilySearch Wiki]]  
*[http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=2424 Michael John Neill, ''Burned Counties'' in Family History Circle]
=== Substitute Records  ===
These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.
*[[Kentucky Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.
*[[Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.
*[[Kentucky Census|Census Records]]: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.
*[[Kentucky Newspapers|Newspapers]]: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices.&nbsp; Also check newspaper social columns for&nbsp;additional information.&nbsp;
*[[Kentucky Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.
*[[Kentucky Military Records|Military Records]]: &nbsp;Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,&nbsp; In addtion, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.
*[[Kentucky Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records&nbsp;may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century&nbsp;often contain the exact death date.
*[[Kentucky History|History]]: &nbsp;Local histories, family&nbsp;histories&nbsp;and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog.
=== More Online Links  ===
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.kygenweb.net/ Kentucky Site] - Free
*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#Kentucky Kentucky Databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.com]&nbsp;- Free
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory for [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-KY-NDX.html Kentucky] - Free/$
*German&nbsp;Roots&nbsp;Links for Kentucky [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Kentucky Birth &amp; Marriage]&nbsp;and [http://www.germanroots.com/deathrecords.html Death] Records -&nbsp;Free/$ This includes all vital records, not just those of German descent.
*[http://fhlfavorites.com/bookmark.htm FHL Favorites] for Kentucky
*[http://kyvitals.com/vis/search/search.php Kentucky Vital Records Project] - Free Death Records-Includes images.
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Kentucky''' or '''IA''' -&nbsp;Free/$
=== FamilySearch Historical Record Collections  ===
Online collections containing these records are located in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list FamilySearch.org]
Wiki articles describing these collections are found at:
*[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Births_and_Christenings_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Kentucky Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]
*[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Deaths_and_Burials_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Kentucky Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]<br>
*[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Marriages_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Kentucky Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records]
*[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Statewide_Deaths_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Kentucky Statewide Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)]
Family History Library Vital Records Collections


<br>This is a collection of Family History Library records which are abstracted, indexed and titled the [[Kentucky Vital Records Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Kentucky Vital Records Index.]] For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Kentucky. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.


These records are availble online for free at [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org].
===Substitute Records===
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:
*[[Kentucky Substitute Records|Kentucky Substitute Records]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death Information]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}


<references /> {{Kentucky|Kentucky}}


[[Category:Kentucky|Vital]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
[[Category:Kentucky Vital Records]][[Category:Kentucky, United States]]

Revision as of 13:25, 26 June 2025

Kentucky Wiki Topics
Kentucky flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Kentucky Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Kentucky Vital Records Dates[edit | edit source]

Government Registration Births* Marriages Deaths*
County/Town 1853-1862
1874-1878
1892-1910 		County
Formation 		1853-1862
1874-1878
1892-1910
Statewide Registration 1911 1958 1911
*See Coverage and Compliance (below) for details

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Births[edit | edit source]

Marriages[edit | edit source]

Deaths[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

Print Publications[edit | edit source]

Get Copies[edit | edit source]

Restrictions:

  • Births become public records 100 years after the event; Deaths become public records 50 years after the event[1]
  • Marriage records are public


Kentucky Department of Public Health
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1 E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Website

  • What they have (per their site February, 2025):
  • Birth records, 1911-present
  • Marriage and divorce records June, 1958-present
  • Death Records, 1911-present
  • Order records online through VitalChek


Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-8300
Fax: (502) 564-5773
Website

  • County records but varies by county:
  • Births to 1910; Deaths to 1965[2]
  • Marriages to 1910[3]

County Courthouses

  • Marriages: each county clerk has the original records as filed in their county[4]
  • Births and deaths: May or may not be at the county level. [5]
  • If you know where the person was born, married, or died, you may contact the county clerk directly.[6]
  • County Officials Directory at Kentucky Association of Counties


Lexington Public Library, Kentucky Room
Central Library
140 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: 859-231-5500
Website

  • The Kentucky Room has many bound volumes of indexes of births and deaths for 1911 to about 1995 which were created by the Office of Vital Statistics.[7]

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Births and Deaths:[8]

  • 1852-1862 Registration was assigned to the [county] tax assessors who recorded events submitted by clergy, midwives, or doctors in attendance, as well as the head of household. Compliance with the law was minimal, and often incomplete or inaccurate
  • 1874-1878 Records were kept intermittently through 1878
  • 1891-1910 A few counties kept scattered records
  • 1910-present High compliance by 1920

Notes:

  • Early compliance for registering births was highest when midwives or doctors were used
  • Registering deaths was highest when doctors or funeral homes were used
  • In the early birth and death registration years, there may be under-representation for African Americans

Marriages:

  • There was customarily high compliance with white marriages, due to the community's interest and to civil or church authorities performing the marriage
  • As late as 1980, the registrar of vital statistics estimated that 20% of all marriages recorded in Kentucky’s counties were not reported to the state.[9]

Information in the Records[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Kentucky Birth Records May Include*
Name of Child x
Birth Date/Place x
Sex/Race x
Parents' Names x
Parents' Birthplace x
# of Children Born/Living x
Residence/Occupation x
Midwife/Doctor x
* Early records may have less information

Information in birth records can vary, depending upon the who made the report (midwife, doctor, parent, etc.).

  • Some cities recorded births and deaths before 1910[10]


Delayed Birth Records
Delayed birth records were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits or for passports.

See also:

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

Kentucky Marriage Records May Include:*
Names of Bride/Groom** x
Date/Place of Marriage x
Presiding Official x
# of Times Married x
Ages or Dates/Places of Birth x
Residences/Race x
Parents' Names x
Witnesses x
* Early records may have less information
** May be previous married name of bride

County marriage records may be the earliest and most complete vital records for Kentucky. Most counties began recording and retaining marriage records soon after each was organized.

  • Marriage records can include bonds, consents or permissions, licenses, certificates, ministers’ returns, and registers[11][12]

Notes:

  • The couple or a parent provided the information
  • Certificates and "returns" are proof of marriage
  • Bonds, licenses, and consents are not proof that the marriage took place


Gretna Greens. When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county they lived in.
For those from Kentucky, these locations include:[13]


See also:

Death Records[edit | edit source]

Kentucky Death Records May Include:*
Name of Decedent x
Date/Place of Death x
Sex/Race x
Occupation x
Age/Date of Birth x
State/Country of Birth x
Length of Residence x
Name of Spouse x
Parents' Names x
Birth Places of Parents x
Physician x
Cause of Death x
Informant x
Cemetery x
* Early records may have less information

Death information can vary, depending on who reported them. (Funeral home directors, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, and relatives)


See also:


Cause of Death

  • Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

See also:

Strategies[edit | edit source]

Tips for Using Vital Records

  • Certificate or record is not found:
  1. Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
  2. Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
  3. The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See Burned, Lost, or Missing Records.
  4. The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. Substitute Records.
  • Examine the record to determine accuracy:
  1. Person providing information may not remember events accurately
  2. Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
  3. Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
  4. Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
  • Review the informant on the document:
  1. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
  2. See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
  3. Verify vital information with other sources
  • Blacks/African Americans may be recorded in separate files and indexes.

See also:


Burned, Lost, or Missing Records[edit | edit source]

The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

See also:


Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 213.131 Inspection of records -- Public records Statutes Effective: June 20, 2005 History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 441, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 426, sec. 390, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 369, sec. 25, effective July 13, 1990. accessed 26 February 2025
  2. ↑ Kentucky Birth and Death Records handout by Kentucky Department of Archives and Libraries, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 February 2025
  3. ↑ Kentucky Marriage Records handout by Kentucky Department of Archives and Libraries, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 February 2025
  4. ↑ Spoke directly to Fulton County clerk, Naomi Jones, 270-236-2727. All clerks have the original records. They periodically are responsible to microfilm. They keep the originals. Per phone 3/12/2025.
  5. ↑ None of calls made in March, 2025 answered my question satisfactorily as to where the old original registers or papers are preserved. Called Hickman County (270 653-3901), called Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (859 252-2371), called Office of Vital Records (spoke to a clerk) and called Department of Libraries and Archives. That person did say that some counties sent their early records to them. Perhaps this can be cleared up in the future.
  6. ↑ Kentucky Marriage Records handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22. accessed 26 February, 2025
  7. ↑ Ending date not certain called 13 March 2025. (859 231-5500 then transferred to Kentucky Room)
  8. ↑ Kentucky Birth and Death Records Handout by Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22. Accessed 22 Feb 2025
  9. ↑ Kentucky Marriage Records handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22, access 25 February, 2025
  10. ↑ Kentucky Cities with Early Birth and Death Records
    City Birth Death
    Louisville 1898-1911 1866-1911
    Lexington 1906-1911 1898-1911
    Covington 1896-1911 1880-1911
    Newport 1890-1911 1884-1911
    Bellvue 1896 1899

    The most complete collection of pre-1911 city births is at the Office of Vital Statistics.

  11. ↑ Kentucky Marriage Records Handout by Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, updated 8/22/22, accessed Februrary 25, 2025
  12. ↑ See United States Marriage Records for an explanation of each type of marriage record and information each may contain.
  13. ↑ Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
  14. ↑ by Kentucky Historical Records Survey; Service Division. Works Project Administration. Louisville, Kentucky: HIstorical Records Survey, 1942.
  15. ↑ FS Catalog book 976.9 V23dj 1988; At various libraries (WorldCat); Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. Public Records Division, 1988.

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