Thursday, May 14, 2009

Genealogical Research in Kentucky

The March 2009 issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly contains an article that should be of interest to all Kentucky researchers. Bettie Cummings Cook, CG has presented a virtual check list of resources and repositories available to all genealogists researching Kentucky records. The article is titled "Genealogical Research in Kentucky" and runs from page 39 through page 72.

The repositories include archives, libraries and society collections. Also listed are major resources, such as atlases, gazetteers and maps, biographical guides, business records and the Draper Manuscripts. Ms. Cook also discusses records from the time prior to statehood when this area was part of Fincastle County, Virginia (1772-1776)and District of Kentucky (1777-1779) and then when the first three Kentucky counties (1780-1792) were created. Of particular interest to me is the explanation of the various Kentucky courts and the function of each.

The article also deals with military records through World War II, African-American and Melungeon records, land records, newspapers and religious records.

This is the most up-to-date source available on Kentucky research. It is well-written and presented in an easy-to-read format. Ms. Cook is a recognized authority on early Kentucky and her knowledge shines in this article. If you are not a National Genealogical Society member, be sure to check your local library for this issue of the Quarterly.

4 comments:

Gini said...

Hi Brenda, I have been following your blog a quite a while, all of my paternal ancestors are from Kentucky, my 80 year old still living, lives in Louisville. Most of my ancestors are from Cloverport, Patesville, Owensboro, Louisville. I made my first trip there a year ago April and absolutely fell in love with KY. I am very interested in this article, I am not a member of the National Genealogy Society but will be checking into it. We have one brickwall ancestor, Louella Jarboe Ijames, we cannot find her! Thank you for sharing this info.

Brenda Joyce Jerome said...

I am sure you will find the article helpful. Bettie Cummings Cook is a personal friend and I *know* she is very knowledgeable on Kentucky research.

Gini said...

Thank you Brenda.

Brenda Joyce Jerome said...

John, Willard should have this issue soon, if it does not already have it.