Kentucky, Births, Deaths and Marriages

In 2017, I published a post here on the The Kentucky Vital Statistics Law of 1852.  While the records kept under this law are not complete,  their importance is worth mentioning again. 

 The records begin in 1852 and generally run through 1859. Occasionally a county continued recording after 1859. Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston have some records for 1861. Records were discontinued during the Civil War and,  for most counties, the records begin again in the 1870s. They were recorded sporadically until becoming mandatory in 1911.

 The Vital Statistics Law of 1852 only required births and deaths attended by physicians, surgeons and midwives to be recorded. If a death or birth occurred at home with no doctor or midwife in attendance, the event was not required to be recorded.

While making their lists of taxable property, local assessors were supposed to list births, marriages and deaths occurring during the past 12 months. It appears that births and deaths were recorded at the time they occurred while marriages were not, resulting in incorrect dates.

If the birth or death was for a slave, the owner’s name could be given in place of the names of the parents. Beware of confusing one for the other.

The names and dates recorded under the Kentucky Vital Statistics Law of 1852 are not perfect and may contain errors so always be on the look out for additional information.

Happy Hunting!

 Published 18 March 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/