 Helping
Patrons with Online Genealogy Research
By Gabrielle Gayheart, KDLA Web Coordinator
A genealogist isn’t a typical library customer:
not only do you get a reference question, but you may also hear
the story behind someone’s great-grandfather’s cousin’s
six marriages. Your public access Internet station can provide valuable
assistance to both the beginning genealogist and experienced researcher
by providing links to online resources. While most of KDLA’s
records are not yet online, their web site provides background information
about their records as well as links to online sources of particular
interest to those patrons who are researching their Kentucky ancestors.
Also, did you know that KDLA’s
Archival Services staff provides research services? It’s as
simple as completing a Genealogical Reference Request form, which
is available (for printing) online. Links to these forms and sites
are provided below – and don’t forget to bookmark your
favorites so as to provide genealogy reference help quickly!
Bookmark
this page for future reference.
For the Beginning Genealogy Researcher...
Birth/Death/Marriage Records
KDLA has records for a majority of Kentucky’s
counties and patrons can request a copy of a record by completing
and mailing one of KDLA’s online forms:
KDLA also offers records of birth, marriage,
and death records in microfilm format. The microfilm rolls may be
purchased on a by-county basis, and include records for the years
1852 – 1910. For more information about years of coverage
for specific counties and ordering information see the following
part of KDLA’s site: http://kdla.ky.gov/research/microfilmavailability.htm.
KDLA also offers for sale CD sets
containing indexes to birth, marriage, and death records statewide.
To access more detailed information as well as the online form,
have them visit http://kdla.ky.gov/research/recordsdescriptions.htm.
For copies of birth records recorded from 1911
to present/death certificates recorded 1954 to present your customer
may use the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics forms at http://chs.ky.gov/publichealth/vital.htm.
For the Civil War or Military Researcher…
Revolutionary War Records (Kentucky)
Since Kentucky was not considered a state during
the Revolutionary War, researchers may wish to use the Library of
Virginia at http://www.lva.lib.va.us/index.htm
for Revolutionary War records. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s
Office has a searchable database of land warrants issued by Virginia
to veterans of the Revolutionary War. The database can be found
at http://www.kysos.com/admin/landoffi/revwaropen.asp.
Civil War Records (Kentucky)
KDLA has Civil War Service Records for Kentucky
Union or Confederate soldiers. In addition, they also have a listing
of those applying for a Confederate soldier's pension, those who
were admitted to the Confederate Veteran's Home, and the 1890 Census
of Union Veterans and Widows in Kentucky, as well as prison and
hospital records.
A good comprehensive introduction to military
research in Kentucky can be found in KDLA’s collection of
online resources and publications at http://kdla.ky.gov/resources/KYCivilWarResearch.htm.
The guide helps researchers understand the different types of records
available and how they impact their genealogical research.
Other Military Research (Kentucky)
In addition to Civil War records, KDLA also
has the Adjutant General's Roster of the War of 1812, Mexican War,
Civil War or Spanish-American War, or a World War I record of service
card or casualty list.
All of these military records can be requested
using KDLA’s online military records form at http://kdla.ky.gov/research/military.
The Military Records and Research Branch (MRRB)
of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs has discharge documents
for over 300,000 Kentucky veterans from all conflicts from WWI through
Desert Storm. MRRB also contains historical records of all Kentucky
militia and National Guard units from 1792 to the present. Patrons
can email researchers directly by visiting their website at http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/military/dmaindex.html.
U.S. Military Research
For military research outside of Kentucky,
the General Records Branch of the National Archives and Records
Administration has an online research room that will help patrons
find service records, pension applications, cemetery records, and
veterans’ census records. The gateway to these records and
forms is http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/research_topics/military.html.
For the Experienced Researcher…
Census Records
KDLA has the Federal Census (1810-1880, 1900-1920),
Slave Census (1850-1860), Mortality Census (1850-1880), and the
1890 Census of Union Civil War Veterans and Widows. (Something to
note - many Confederate veterans were accidentally included in this
census.) To request KDLA staff to do research in these records,
use the Census Record Request Form available online: http://kdla.ky.gov/research/census.htm.
U.S. Census Bureau does not give access to
records dating after 1930. However, researchers may access statistical
information at their site: http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFacts/Servlet.
Judicial Records
Using KDLA’s online forms, patrons may
request a copy of a final judgment, or an entire case record connected
to a Kentucky civil, criminal or divorce court proceeding.
Property, Tax and Probate Records
KDLA has copies of patents, grants and deeds
as well as property valuation records and estate settlements. Patrons
may request records by using the following forms:
The Kentucky Land Office is administered by
the Kentucky Secretary of State. They have records dating to the
1700’s, including deeds and Kentucky land patents dating back
to pre-statehood. Patrons may order records research online at http://www.sos.state.ky.us/ADMIN/LANDOFFI/Landoffice.asp.
Local County Clerk’s offices have a wealth
of local records available for research. The Kentucky Secretary
of State’s Office hosts a listing of all Kentucky’s
current County Clerks at http://www.kysos.com/elecfil/genelectionfiles/countyclerk.asp.
For the Frustrated Researcher….
Kentucky County Formation Chart
Since many Kentucky counties were not created
until the mid-1800’s, researching early ancestors by location
can be difficult. KDLA has created a county formation chart to help
researchers locate records by listing “parent” counties
for those counties created after 1780: http://kdla.ky.gov/resources/KYCountyFormation.htm
Professional Genealogy Researchers
KDLA hosts a listing at http://kdla.ky.gov/research/profresearchers.htm
of professional genealogy researchers who have submitted their names
to KDLA staff for inclusion in the online directory. Please note
that these researchers perform research for a fee, and that KDLA
does not endorse or sponsor these individuals.
Genealogy Links
One of the easiest ways to begin family history
research is to join LISTSERV® or online forums. KDLA has a listing,
compiled by Reference staff, of genealogy resource sites such as
searchable databases, county and family histories and discussion
groups that provide information on births, deaths, and marriages,
both in Kentucky and nationwide: http://kdla.ky.gov/researchlinks/genealogy.htm.
Link to directory of Vital Statistic offices
throughout the United States
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
hosts a directory entitled “Where to Write for Vital Records”
at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm.
This state-by-state directory steers patrons to different records
institutions that house birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Also, be sure to periodically check KDLA’s
site for new information regarding genealogy research. Every month,
the site hosts a “County
of the Month” feature, which provides resources on the
history, genealogy records available, and trivia about one of the
Commonwealth’s counties. Past features include Fleming, Hardin,
Jefferson, Pulaski and Shelby counties. Also, on KDLA’s “Online
Publications and Resources” page, patrons can find publications
on Kentucky history and likewise guides on performing family history
research: http://www.kdla.ky.gov/resources.htm. |
