McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
No edit summary
(Changed "Rating" to "Content".)
 
(194 intermediate revisions by 58 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{stub}}&nbsp;''[[United States|United States&nbsp;]] &gt; [[Kentucky|Kentucky]]&nbsp;&gt; McCracken County'' <br>
{{Locality
|Name=McCracken County
|ID=394358
|Level=2
|Country=United States
|CountryID=1
|Locality1=Kentucky
|Locality1id=354
|Locality2=McCracken County
|Locality2id=394358
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Kentucky, United States Genealogy|Kentucky]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy|McCracken County]]
}}


== County Courthouse  ==
Guide to '''McCracken County, Kentucky ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
[[Image:{{KYMcCrackencourthouse}}]]


== History  ==
{| style="width:18%; float:right"
|-
|
<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Kentucky Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
|-
|
<center>{{Infobox U.S. County 2016
|organized= December 17, 1824
|county seat= Paducah
|parent county= [[Hickman County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hickman]]<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref>
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Ballard County, Kentucky Genealogy|Ballard]]
|county2= [[Carlisle County, Kentucky Genealogy|Carlisle]]
|county3= [[Graves County, Kentucky Genealogy|Graves]]
|county4= [[Livingston County, Kentucky Genealogy|Livingston]]
|county5= [[Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogy|Marshall]]
|county6= [[Massac County, Illinois Genealogy|Massac (IL)]]
|county7= [[Pulaski County, Illinois Genealogy|Pulaski (IL)]]</br><center>[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county8=
|county9=
|county10=
|county courthouse= {{KYMcCrackencourthouse}}
|county location in state= [[Image:McCracken_County_svg.png|185x185px]]
|adoption= <center></center>
}}
|}</center>
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== County Information ==


==== Parent County  ====
=== Description ===
The county was named for Virgil McCracken. The county is located in the southwest area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "McCracken County, Kentucky" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCracken_County,_Kentucky."</ref>


'''1824'''--McCracken County was created 17 December 1824&nbsp;from [[Hickman County, Kentucky|Hickman]] County.&nbsp;&nbsp;'''County seat:'''&nbsp;Paducah <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
=== County Courthouse ===
{{KY Courthouse Intro|McCracken}}


==== Boundary Changes  ====
'''McCracken County Courthouse'''<br>132 S 4th Street<br>Paducah, KY 42001<br>Phone: 270-335-5168<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), McCracken County, Kentucky page 273, {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br>[http://mccrackencountyclerk.net/ McCracken County Website]


==== Record Loss ====
=== McCracken County, Kentucky Record Dates ===
 
{{KY Record Dates Intro|McCracken}}
== Places/Localities  ==
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
 
==== Populated Places  ====
 
{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="710" align="left" border="0"
|-
|-
| Avondale Heights
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records'''<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), McCracken County, Kentucky. Page 268-276 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 251-254.</ref></center>
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195520&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Future+City&columns=*,0,0 Future City]
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195526&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Lone+Oak&columns=*,0,0 Lone Oak]
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195531&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Riverview&columns=*,0,0 Riverview]
|-
|-
| Camelia
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195521&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Grahamville&columns=*,0,0 Grahamville]  
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195527&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Massac&columns=*,0,0 Massac]  
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| Rossington
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
|-
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195518&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Cecil&columns=*,0,0 Cecil]
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1852
| Hardmoney
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1825
| Maxon
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1852
| Rowlandtown
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1825
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1825
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1825
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1810
|-
|-
| Chiles
| colspan="7" | <center>*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1911. General compliance by 1917.</center>
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195522&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Heath&columns=*,0,0 Heath]
|}
| Maxon Crossing
 
| Saint Johns
=== Record Loss ===
{|  
|-
|-
| Cimota City  
|  
| Hendron
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
| Melber  
 
| Shady Grove
|}
=== Boundary Changes ===
{{KY Boundary Changes Intro|McCracken}}
{|
|-
|
*'''1824'''--McCracken County was created 17 December 1824 from [[Hickman County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hickman]] County.<br>
*'''County seat:''' Paducah<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref><br>
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/KY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Kentucky Individual County Chronologies] - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county
*[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/map/map.html#KY Kentucky Historical Borders - Map] at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; ''Also at:'' [http://www.mapofus.org/kentucky/ mapofus.org] - animated maps illustrating Kentucky county boundary changes
|}
 
=== Populated Places ===
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/counties/cities,cfips,145,c,mccracken.cfm Hometown Locator].
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "McCracken County, Kentucky," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCracken_County,_Kentucky, accessed 31 August 2018.</ref> 
 
{{populated places
<!--cities column------------------->
| cities-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paducah,_Kentucky Paducah] (county seat)</div>
| cities-col2=<div></div>
| cities-col3=<div></div>
<!--towns column------------------->
<!--villages column------------------->
<!--unincorp column------------------->
| unincorp-col1=<div>
* Avondale Heights
* Bryans Ford
* Camelia
* Cecil
* Ceredo
* Chiles
* Cimota City
* Concord
* Crawford Lake
* Epperson
* Forest Hill
* Freemont
* Futrell
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_City,_Kentucky Future City]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grahamville,_Kentucky Grahamville]
* Hardmoney</div>
 
| unincorp-col2=<div>
* Heath
* High Point
* Hinkleville
* Hovekamp
* Kauffman
* Krebs
* Lamont
* Littleville
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Oak,_Kentucky Lone Oak]
* Maxon
* Maxon Crossing
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melber,_Kentucky Melber]
* Oakdale
* Oaks
* Ragland
* Riverview</div>
 
| unincorp-col3=<div>
* Rossington
* Rowlandtown
* Rudolph
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Johns,_Kentucky Saint Johns]
* Shady Grove
* Sheehan Bridge
* Spring Hill
* Stiles Crossing
* Tyler
* West Future City
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Paducah,_Kentucky West Paducah]
* Woodlawn
* Woodville
* Wurth
* Yopp</div>
 
<!--census column------------------->
| census-col1=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farley,_Kentucky Farley]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hendron,_Kentucky Hendron]</div>
 
| census-col2=<div>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massac,_Kentucky Massac]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reidland,_Kentucky Reidland]
</div>
| census-col3=<div></div>
<!--townships column------------------->
<!--ghost towns column------------------->
}}
 
=== History Timeline ===
{{KY Historical Timeline Intro|McCracken}}
 
== Resources ==
{{KY Resources Intro|McCracken}}
 
=== Bible Records ===
{{KY Bible Intro|McCracken}}
 
*[http://usgwarchives.net/ky/mccracken/toc.html McCracken County, Kentucky Bibles] at USGenWeb Archives
 
=== Biographies  ===
{{KY Biographies Intro|McCracken}}
 
*[http://www.kykinfolk.com/kybiog/ Kentucky Biographies Project]
*All of the family biographies from the 1885 History of McCracken County, Kentucky by Battle, Perrin, and Kniffin are available free online on [http://www.mygenealogyhound.com/kentucky-counties/kentucky-biographies-by-county.html My Genealogy Hound]
 
=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
{{KY Business Records Intro|McCracken}}
 
=== Cemeteries ===
{{KY Cemeteries Intro|McCracken}}
 
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:60%; "
|-
|-
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195519&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Concord&columns=*,0,0 Concord]
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of McCracken, Kentucky''' online and in print</center>
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195523&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+High+Point&columns=*,0,0 High Point]
| Oakdale
| Stiles Crossing
|-
|-
| Epperson
| width="20%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195524&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Ingleside&columns=*,0,0 Ingleside]  
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
| Oaks
 
| Tyler
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial Findagrave.com]
*[http://kykinfolk.com/mccracken/cemeteries.htm KYGenWeb]
*[http://usgwarchives.net/ky/mccracken/toc.html KYGenWeb Archives]
*[http://usgwtombstones.org/kentucky/mccracken.html Tombstone Project]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search# BillionGraves]
|-
|-
| Forest Hill
| width="20%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>''' Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' ([[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |Often more complete]])</center>
| Krebs
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black"|
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195528&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Paducah&columns=*,0,0 Paducah]
 
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195532&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+West+Paducah&columns=*,0,0 West Paducah]
*{{FSC|United States, Kentucky, McCracken - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=423033849|disp=FamilySearch Library}}
*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3Acemetery+McCracken+Kentucky&qt=advanced&dblist=638 WorldCat]
|-
|-
| Freemont
| width="20%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195525&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Lamont&columns=*,0,0 Lamont]  
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" |
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195529&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Ragland&columns=*,0,0 Ragland]  
 
| Woodlawn
*[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Kentucky/McCracken-County?id=county_1061 Findagrave.com]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/cemetery BillionGraves]
*[https://www.accessgenealogy.com/cemetery/McCracken-county-kentucky-cemetery-records.htm Kentucky Cemeteries]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394358&reqParentsLabel=McCracken%2C%20Kentucky%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
|-
|-
| Futrell
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>See '''[[Kentucky Cemeteries]]''' for more information</center>
| Littleville
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195530&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Reidland&columns=*,0,0 Reidland]
| [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195533&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken%2C+Woodville&columns=*,0,0 Woodville]
|}
|}


<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
The following web sites have additional information on McCracken county cemeteries.
 
*[http://www.interment.net/us/ky/index.htm Interment.net], Kentucky cemetery records by county.
*[http://kykinfolk.com/esh/ Naming the Forgotten], The Eastern State Hospital Project
 
=== Census Records ===
{{KY Census Intro|McCracken}}
 
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCracken_County,_Kentucky "Wikipedia.org".]
| 1830| 1297
| 1840| 4745
| 1850| 6067
| 1860| 10360
| 1870| 13988
| 1880| 16262
| 1890| 21051
| 1900| 28733
| 1910| 35064
| 1920| 37246
| 1930| 46271
| 1940| 48534
| 1950| 49137
| 1960| 57306
| 1970| 58281
| 1980| 61310
| 1990| 62879
| 2000| 65514
| 2010| 65565
}}
 
{{Census|Kentucky}}
 
*[http://www.usgwcensus.org/states/kentucky/ Kentucky Census Transcriptions 1850-1930], USGenWeb
*[http://usgwarchives.net/census/cen_ke.htm Census Images], USGenWeb
*[http://www.census-online.com/links/KY/ KY Census Online], Links to online census records
 
=== Church Records ===
{{KY Church Intro|McCracken}}
 
*[https://www.churchfinder.com/churches/ky Christian Church Directory for Kentucky] at ChurchFinder
*[http://www.cdlex.org/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=54078&From=Home Catholic Parishes in the Diocese of Lexington]
*[http://www.archlou.org/Parishes Catholic Parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville]
<br>
'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394358&reqParentsLabel=McCracken%2C%20Kentucky%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places]''' <br>
 
=== Court Records ===
{{KY Court Intro|McCracken}}
 
* '''1825-1869''' {{FSC|434645|item|disp=County Court Orders of McCracken County (Kentucky) 1825-1869}}(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
* '''1895-1941''' {{FSC|837156|item|disp=Court Orders, 1895-1941}}(*); Fiscal Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*'''1785-1792''' [http://www.kykinfolk.com/court/court.htm Cases Heard Before the Supreme Court for the District of Kentucky, 1785-1792] at KYKinFolk.com - index
*[https://kycourts.gov/ Kentucky Court of Justice] at KYCourts.gov
 
=== Directories ===
{{KY Directories Intro|McCracken}}
*'''1890-1891''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5331 Paducah, Kentucky Directory, 1890-91] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1970-2024''' {{RecordSearch|5000290|United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Residence Database - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, coverage may vary
 
=== Emigration and Immigration  ===
{{KY Emigration Intro|McCracken}}
 
=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
{{KY Ethnic Groups Intro|McCracken}}
 
==== African Americans ====
{{KY African Americans Intro|McCracken}}
 
*[[African American Research]] (US) has more information about the kinds of records available
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/ The KY African American Griots Project]
*[[Kentucky Minorities|Kentucky Minorities]] has information specific to Kentucky African Americans.
*[http://www.kygenweb.net/history/hangings.html Sandi Gorin's Tips], Hangings in Kentucky 1792-1900
 
=== Funeral Homes  ===
{{KY Funeral Homes Intro|McCracken}}
 
* [https://www.cremationsocietyofpaducah.com/ Cremation Society of Paducah] in Paducah.
* [https://www.hughesfuneral.com/ Hughes Funeral Home] in Paducah.
* [https://www.kgfuneral.com/ Keeling and Goodman Funeral Home] in Paducah.
* [https://www.lindseyfuneral.com/ Lindsey Funeral Home] in Paducah.
* [https://www.milnerandorr.com/ Milner and Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services] in Paducah.
* [https://www.pettusrowlandfh.com/ Pettus-Rowland Funeral Home, LLC] in Paducah.
 
=== Genealogies  ===
{{KY Genealogies Intro|McCracken}}
 
*'''[Flournoy]''' Rivers, Flournoy. "The Flournoy Family," ''The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,'' [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241797 Vol. 2, No. 1 (Jul. 1894):81-90]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241809 Vol. 2, No. 2 (Oct. 1894):190-213]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241823 Vol. 2, No. 3 (Jan. 1895):318-327]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241854 Vol. 2, No. 4 (Apr. 1895):437-447]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241867 Vol. 3, No. 1 (Jul. 1895):67-79]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241923 Vol. 3, No. 4 (Apr. 1896):414-416]; [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241942 Vol. 4, No. 1 (Jul. 1896):97-101]. Digitized by JSTOR - free.
 
=== Guardianship ===
{{KY Guardianship Intro|McCracken}}
 
=== Land and Property Records ===
{{KY Land Intro|McCracken}}
''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
*[http://www.sos.ky.gov/admin/land/Pages/default.aspx The KY Land Office]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
 
=== Local Histories ===
{{KY Histories Intro|McCracken}}
 
*[https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/archives/ The Archives of Appalachia]
*''The Story of Paducah.'' 1920. By Fred G. Neuman. Paducah, Ky.: Young Printing Company. '''Online at:''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/392540-the-story-of-paducah?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library].
 
=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{KY Maps Intro|McCracken}}
{{KY Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{KY McCracken County}}}}
*[http://www.mapofus.org/kentucky/ Maps of Kentucky (1776-1939)]
*[http://www.kygenweb.net/other/maps.html KYGenWeb compiled list of maps]
*[http://www.kygenweb.net/kymap.html Click on the county to go to the KYGenWeb site]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=394358&reqParentsLabel=McCracken%2C%20Kentucky%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]


==== Neighboring Counties  ====
=== Migration ===
{{KY Migration Intro|McCracken}}


*[[Ballard County, Kentucky|Ballard]]
=== Military Records ===
*[[Carlisle County, Kentucky|Carlisle]]
{{KY Military Intro|McCracken}}
*[[Graves County, Kentucky|Graves]]
*[[Livingston County, Kentucky|Livingston]]
*[[Marshall County, Kentucky|Marshall]]
*[[Massac County, Illinois|Massac County, Illinois]]
*[[Pulaski County, Illinois|Pulaski County, Illinois]]


== Resources ==
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~kymil/ Military Resources], Revolutionary War through Civil War


==== African American  ====
==== Civil War ====
{{KY Civil War Intro|McCracken}}
'''Online Records
*'''1861-1865''' {{RecordSearch|1932371|Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1861-1865''' {{RecordSearch|1932398|Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1861-1865''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2322 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865] at [http://ancestry.com Ancestry] — index (Free)
*'''1861-1865''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2344 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865] at [http://ancestry.com Ancestry]— index (Free)
*'''1912-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1916017|Kentucky Confederate Pension Applications 1912-1950}} at FamilySearch  - [[Kentucky Confederate Pension Applications - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


The following have information concerning African American research.&nbsp; Both should be used:
{{KY Civil War Regiments|McCracken}}<br>
{{Block indent|- [[4th Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Infantry (Union)|4th Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Infantry (Union)]], Company C.}}
{{Block indent|- [[12th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)|12th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)]], Companies I, K, L and M.}}
{{Block indent|- [[15th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)|15th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)]], Companies A, B, C, D, E and F.}}


*&nbsp;[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/African_American_Research African American Research] (US) has more information about the kinds of records
'''''Civil War Battle'''''<br>
The following Civil War battle was fought in McCracken County:<ref>National Park Service, [https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles.htm Civil War Battles]. Filter by state or battle name.</ref>
*March 25, 1864 - Paducah.
*[https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/civilwar/ Battles of the American Civil War] maps - filter by state or by battle name.


*&nbsp;[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Kentucky_Minorities Kentucky Minorities] has information specific to Kentucky African Americans.
==== World War I ====
{{KY World War I Intro|McCracken}}
*[http://usgwarchives.net/ky/military/wwi/ Fallen Soldiers in WWI from KY]


==== Cemeteries  ====
==== Korean War ====
{{KY Korean War Intro|McCracken}}
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~kybath/korea.htm Korean War Memorial for Soldiers from KY], KYGenWeb


Kentucky cemetery records often identify birth, death, relationship, and military information, as well as religious affiliation. Local volunteers through [http://www.raogk.org/kentucky.htm Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness] may&nbsp;take photographs of headstones found in&nbsp;county cemeteries.
=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
{{KY Naturalization Intro|McCracken}}


*Kentucky Historical Society&nbsp;[http://205.204.134.47/cemetery.asp Cemetery Search]&nbsp;can be searched by name, place and/or date.&nbsp; This database has hundreds of thousands of names transcribed from gravestones across Kentucky.&nbsp; <br>
=== Newspapers ===
{{KY Newspapers Intro|McCracken}}


*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gs& Find A Grave] can be searched by the&nbsp;name of a person or family to find where a person is buried.&nbsp; Usually gives birth and death dates often with a picture of the tombstone.&nbsp; May&nbsp;give obituaries,&nbsp;names of&nbsp;family members and links to their information in Find A Grave.
*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50042/ Kentucky, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*[http://www.usnpl.com/kynews.php USNPL, Kentucky], Kentucky newspaper index with links
*[http://www.world-newspapers.com/kentucky.html World-Newspapers, Kentucky], Kentucky newspaper index with links
*[http://www.kygenweb.net/counties/ukfilm.html Kentucky Newspapers on Microfilm]


*Find A Grave also gives&nbsp;a [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=4&CSst=19&CScnty=1061 list of cemeteries in&nbsp;McCracken County] and links to the &nbsp;information&nbsp;for the&nbsp;individuals buried there,
{{KY Newspaper abstracts|Appling}}


*[http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~xander/kentucky.htm Kentucky Cemeteries] lists the national cemeteries in Kentucky with links to their web sites. The first link under Online Kentucky&nbsp;Cemeteries goes to the Kentucky section of Interment.net
=== Obituaries ===
*[http://usgwtombstones.org/kentucky/mccracken McCracken Co. KY&nbsp;USGenWeb Tombstone Project] usually gives the names of the deceased in alphabetical order by last name with birth and death dates plus any remarks.&nbsp;
{{KY Obituaries Intro|McCracken}}


*The [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] lists [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=topicdetails&subject=654119&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C++McCracken++%2D++Cemeteries&columns=*,0,0 some&nbsp;records of&nbsp;cemeteries in&nbsp;McCracken&nbsp; County.]&nbsp; Some of the books or others may be on [http://books.google.com/advanced_book_search Google Books] or available at public libraries.
*[http://kykinfolk.com/kyfootsteps/ Kentucky Footsteps Archives], KYGenWeb
*[http://www.kygenweb.net/other/obits.html Kentucky Obituary Sources], KYGenWeb
*[http://browning.evpl.org/ Browning Genealogy Database], Compiled by Charles Browning.
*[http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/ky/obitsky.htm Kentucky Obituaries], USGenWeb


*[http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/localList.php?local=4163&locTGroup=Cemeteries&direction=down&sec=0&qty=42&stateAbbv=&stateName= ePodunk&nbsp;list of&nbsp;McCracken&nbsp; County cemeteries] gives the names of the cemeteries in the county with a link to more information such as address, phone number, and web site.
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~obituary/ Obituary Daily Times], Citations to over 15,000,000 obituaries including interactive search function
*[http://www.tngenweb.org/madison/smith/jktsmith.htm#nca Nashville Christian Advocate Death Abstracts]


==== Church  ====
=== Other Records ===
{{KY Other Records Intro|McCracken}}


==== Court  ====
*[http://www.kykinfolk.com/postcards/KyPostCards/KyPostCards.html Kentucky Postcards], USGenWeb


==== Land  ====
=== Periodicals ===
{{KY Periodicals Intro|McCracken}}


==== Local Histories  ====
=== Probate Records ===
{{KY Probate Intro|McCracken}}


==== Maps ====
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
*'''1774-1989''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9066 Kentucky, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1774-1989] at Ancestry ($) — index & images
*'''1825-1947''' {{RecordSearch|1875188|Will Books A to H (1825-1947)|access=browse}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Probate Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1825-1947''' {{FSC|423499|item|disp=Wills, 1825-1947}}(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


==== Military  ====


==== Newspapers  ====
=== School Records ===
{{KY Schools Intro|McCracken}}


==== Probate  ====
===Social Security Records===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry ($)] — index, [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Applications and Claims Index|click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


==== Taxation  ====
=== Tax Records ===
{{KY Tax Intro|McCracken}}


==== Vital Records  ====
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/category.aspx?cat=36 Search Tax, Criminal, Land and Wills Records], Ancestry ($)


== Societies and Libraries  ==
=== Vital Records ===
{{KY Vital Intro|McCracken}}


== Web Sites  ==
==== Birth ====
{{KY Birth Intro|McCracken}}


*USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.  
*'''1839-1960''' – {{RecordSearch|1674843|Kentucky Births and Christenings, 1839-1960}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=195517&subject_disp=Kentucky%2C+McCracken&columns=*,0,0 Family History Library Catalog]
*'''1852-1862''' - McCracken County Birth Index 1852-1862. Batch {{IGI|C517671}} at FamilySearch<ref>Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at [[Media:Igikentuckymz.pdf|https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/7/75/Igikentuckymz.pdf]].</ref>
*'''1874''' - McCracken County Birth Index 1874. Batch {{IGI|C517672}} at FamilySearch
*'''1875''' - McCracken County Birth Index 1875. Batch {{IGI|C517673}} at FamilySearch
*'''1911-1912''' [http://www.kygenweb.net/vitals/index.html Searchable KY Birth Index]
*'''1911-1999''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10007/kentucky-births-1911-1999?s=275764761 Kentucky Births, 1911-1999] at MyHeritage ($) — index


== References  ==
==== Marriage ====
{{KY Marriage Intro|McCracken}}
*'''1609-2016''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=kentucky%2cky Kentucky, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index $
*'''1785-1979''' – {{RecordSearch|1674849|Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1785-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20622/kentucky-marriages?s=275764761 Kentucky Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1797-1954''' {{RecordSearch|1804888|Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1852-1860''' - McCracken County Marriage Index 1852-1860. Batch {{IGI|M517671}} at FamilySearch
*'''1875-1876''' - McCracken County Marriage Index 1875-1876. Batch {{IGI|M517674}} at FamilySearch
*'''1876-1879''' - McCracken County Marriage Index 1876-1879. Batch {{IGI|M517675}} at FamilySearch
*'''1973-2000''' [http://www.kygenweb.net/vitals/index.html Searchable KY Marriage Records]
*'''1973-2000''' [https://web.archive.org/web/20151103090615/http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ky/marriage/search.cgi Kentucky Marriage Records 1973-2000]
*'''1960-1993''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10082/kentucky-marriages-1960-1993?s=275764761 Kentucky Marriages, 1960-1993] at MyHeritage ($) — index


==== Death ====
{{KY Death Intro|McCracken}}
*'''1843-1970''' – {{RecordSearch|1674848|Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1900-1999''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10046/kentucky-deaths-1900-1999?s=275764761 Kentucky Deaths, 1900-1999] at MyHeritage ($) — index
*'''1911-1965''' {{RecordSearch|1417491|Kentucky Death Records, 1911-1965}} at FamilySearch - [[Kentucky Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1911-2000''' [http://www.kygenweb.net/vitals/index.html Searchable KY Death Index]
*{{RecordSearch|1202535| The Social Security Death Index }} - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[http://kyvitals.com The Kentucky Vital Records Project], Transcriptions and Images of Kentucky Death Certificates
==== Divorce ====
{{KY Divorce Intro|McCracken}}
*'''1962-2005''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61049/ Kentucky, U.S., Divorce Records, 1962-2005] at Ancestry - index ($)
== Research Facilities ==
{{KY Research Facilities Intro|McCracken}}
=== Archives ===
{{KY Archives Intro|McCracken}}
=== FamilySearch Centers ===
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ky/fulton/501-wells-avenue Fulton Kentucky FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ky/murray/602-south-16th-street Murray Kentucky FamilySearch Center]
*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ky/paducah/320-birch-street Paducah Kentucky FamilySearch Center]
*[https://www.gravescountypubliclibrary.org/ Graves County Public Library] - an affiliate library.
*[https://www.mclib.net/ McCracken County Public Library] - an affiliate library.
=== Libraries ===
{{KY Libraries Intro|McCracken}}
=== Museums ===
{{KY Museums Intro|McCracken}}
== Societies ==
{{KY Societies Intro|McCracken}}
'''McCracken County Genealogical and Historical Society'''<br>PO Box 7651<br>Paducah, KY 42002-7651<br>[http://www.kykinfolk.com/mccracken/genealogy/genealogical.society.html Website]<br><br>
== Websites ==
{{KY Websites Intro|McCracken}}
*[http://kykinfolk.com/mccracken/ McCracken County KYGenWeb]
*[http://kygenweb.net/ KYGenWeb project]. Has maps, name indexes, history or other information for each county. Select the county.
*[http://kentucky.gov/Pages/home.aspx State of Kentucky Website]
*[http://usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html USGenWeb Kentucky Archives]
*[http://usgenweb.org The USGenWeb project] May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/KY/McCracken/ McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium)
*[http://ldsgenealogy.com/KY/McCracken-County.htm McCracken County KY Genealogy] (Kentucky Genealogy)
*{{FSC Place IDNum|1544|Kentucky|McCracken}}. Free - 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
== Research Guides ==
{{KY Research Guides Intro|McCracken}}
== References ==
<references />
<references />


</div>{{-}}
{{Kentucky|Kentucky}}
[[Category:McCracken_County,_Kentucky]]
[[Category:McCracken_County,_Kentucky]]
[[Category:Kentucky_Counties]]

Latest revision as of 21:34, 19 August 2025


Guide to McCracken County, Kentucky ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Paducah
Organized: December 17, 1824
Parent County(s): Hickman[1]
Neighboring Counties
BallardCarlisleGravesLivingstonMarshallMassac (IL)Pulaski (IL)
See County Maps
Courthouse
McCracken County Courthouse, Paducah, KY
Location Map
McCracken County svg.png

County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for Virgil McCracken. The county is located in the southwest area of the state.[2]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

McCracken County Courthouse
132 S 4th Street
Paducah, KY 42001
Phone: 270-335-5168[3]
McCracken County Website

McCracken County, Kentucky Record Dates[edit | edit source]

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[4]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1852 1825 1852 1825 1825 1825 1810
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started in 1911. General compliance by 1917.

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]

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]

Cities
Unincorporated communities
  • Avondale Heights
  • Bryans Ford
  • Camelia
  • Cecil
  • Ceredo
  • Chiles
  • Cimota City
  • Concord
  • Crawford Lake
  • Epperson
  • Forest Hill
  • Freemont
  • Futrell
  • Future City
  • Grahamville
  • Hardmoney
  • Heath
  • High Point
  • Hinkleville
  • Hovekamp
  • Kauffman
  • Krebs
  • Lamont
  • Littleville
  • Lone Oak
  • Maxon
  • Maxon Crossing
  • Melber
  • Oakdale
  • Oaks
  • Ragland
  • Riverview
  • Rossington
  • Rowlandtown
  • Rudolph
  • Saint Johns
  • Shady Grove
  • Sheehan Bridge
  • Spring Hill
  • Stiles Crossing
  • Tyler
  • West Future City
  • West Paducah
  • Woodlawn
  • Woodville
  • Wurth
  • Yopp
Census-designated places


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]

Cemeteries of McCracken, Kentucky online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Kentucky Cemeteries for more information

The following web sites have additional information on McCracken county cemeteries.

Census Records[edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 1,297
1840 4,745 265.8%
1850 6,067 27.9%
1860 10,360 70.8%
1870 13,988 35.0%
1880 16,262 16.3%
1890 21,051 29.4%
1900 28,733 36.5%
1910 35,064 22.0%
1920 37,246 6.2%
1930 46,271 24.2%
1940 48,534 4.9%
1950 49,137 1.2%
1960 57,306 16.6%
1970 58,281 1.7%
1980 61,310 5.2%
1990 62,879 2.6%
2000 65,514 4.2%
2010 65,565 0.1%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

For tips on accessing McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy census records online, see: Kentucky Census.

Church Records[edit | edit source]

Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Kentucky denominations, view the Kentucky Church Records wiki page.


List of Churches and Church Parishes

Court Records[edit | edit source]

Directories[edit | edit source]

Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]

African Americans[edit | edit source]

More information about African American resources in Kentucky can be found on the Kentucky African Americans and the United States African Americans Wiki pages.

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 Kentucky Land and Property for additional information about early Kentucky land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed. Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories[edit | edit source]

Local histories are available for McCracken County, Kentucky 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 Kentucky Local Histories.

Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]

IllinoisMassac CountyLivingston CountyMarshall CountyGraves CountyCarlisle CountyBallard CountyKY McCRACKEN.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration[edit | edit source]

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Civil War[edit | edit source]

Online Records

Regiments. Men in McCracken County served in various regiments and companies. Those listed below were specifically formed in this county:

- 12th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union), Companies I, K, L and M.
- 15th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union), Companies A, B, C, D, E and F.

Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battle was fought in McCracken County:[7]

World War I[edit | edit source]

Korean War[edit | edit source]

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Periodicals[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Probate records are held by the McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy Clerk of Court and are housed at the McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy Courthouse. Microfilmed records can be found online at Kentucky, Probate Records, 1792-1977 for Caldwell, Henry, Hickman, Russell and Trimble counties. See the wiki page Kentucky Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.

Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.

Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, naturalizations, and adoptions.

Online Probate Indexes and Records


School Records[edit | edit source]

Social Security Records[edit | edit source]

Tax Records[edit | edit source]

Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and slaves aged 21 to 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district. For more background information and state-wide resources see the wiki page Kentucky Taxation.

Vital Records[edit | edit source]

Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Although Kentucky enacted a statute in 1852-1862 requiring registration of births and deaths,many counties did not comply. A second law was written in 1874-1879, and 1892-1910 but, again, was not always followed. By 1911, the law was more clearly defined and kept by 1920. Any existing births 1852-1960 and death records 1852-1953 can be accessed online. See How to Find Kentucky Birth Records and How to Find Kentucky Death Records for links to indexes and images.

Original marriage records are held at the office of the McCracken County Clerk, with divorce records 1849-1958 located with the McCracken County Circuit Court. For more information see How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records. For Kentucky divorce records see the wiki page Kentucky Vital Records.

Birth[edit | edit source]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

Research Facilities[edit | edit source]

Archives[edit | edit source]

Listed below are archives in McCracken County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Kentucky Archives and Libraries.

FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries[edit | edit source]

Listed below are libraries in McCracken County. For state-wide library facilities, see Kentucky Archives and Libraries.

Museums[edit | edit source]

Societies[edit | edit source]

Listed below are societies in McCracken County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Kentucky Societies.

McCracken County Genealogical and Historical Society
PO Box 7651
Paducah, KY 42002-7651
Website

Websites[edit | edit source]

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  2. Wikipedia contributors, "McCracken County, Kentucky" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCracken_County,_Kentucky."
  3. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), McCracken County, Kentucky page 273, At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  4. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), McCracken County, Kentucky. Page 268-276 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 251-254.
  5. Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  6. Wikipedia contributors, "McCracken County, Kentucky," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCracken_County,_Kentucky, accessed 31 August 2018.
  7. National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.
  8. Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/7/75/Igikentuckymz.pdf.