At 388 pages, Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research is probably the most complete research guide you will find on Kentucky. The book cover in depth the holdings of Kentucky’s libraries, archives, court records, and University of Kentucky’s collections, as well as resources held by the Kentucky Historical Society and Filson Club. Roseann Reinemuth Hogan, a Doctor in sociology, in writing this book did more than just compile a directory of resources but she thoroughly vetted the content, accuracy, and availability of each resource.
Dr. Hogan examines the history, the laws, the customs, and events that shaped the lives of early settlers. For example, in examining land records the author first provides some historical reference. Chapter five begins with a history to land settlement in the area, from land provisions given for military service dating back to 1763. Page 97 provides a table of key land grant dates from 1763 to 1862. Dr. Hogan also looks at land warrants, grants, bounty land and much more. By understanding the methods of land acquisition and key dates, the readers gains a better perspective on how their ancestors came to settle Kentucky, why they may have chosen the area and how to go about acquiring documentation listing their ancestors and the key information to be found in the various collections.
Though extensive and detailed, Dr. Hogan writes with an easy to read style. The informative history and resource evaluation help direct and guide the user to improved research methods. If your ancestry lead your research to the Bluegrass state, then Kentucky Ancestry may prove the key to your success.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1–Early Kentucky Settlement
Chapter 2–Resources in Kentucky Libraries and Archives
Chapter 3–Kentucky’s Constitutions, Courts, and Clerks
Chapter 4–Marking Life’s Stages: Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
Chapter 5–Kentucky Settles In: Homesteaders, Taxpayers, and Soldiers
Chapter 6– Special People: Women and African-American Families in Kentucky
Chapter 7–Fleshing Out the Ghosts: Using Secondary Resources in Kentucky
Chapter 8–Inventory of County Microfilmed Historical Records
Appendix 1–Bibliography and References Cited
Appendix 2–County Boundary Maps
Appendix 3–Statewide Journals, Magazines, and Other Kentucky Publication Sources
Appendix 4–African-American Bibliography
Appendix 5–Folklore and Social History Bibliography
Appendix 6–County Historic Sites Survey
Index
To order a copy of Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research for yourself or library please contact Family Roots Publishing; Item #: TP493.
What year was this published?
It was first printed in 1992 – and reprinted many times. I think it’s still the best over-all guide we have available for Kentucky research. Internet resources aren’t included of course, but the citations to the records themselves are.
When it comes to good, sometimes the year of publication doesn’t matter. Finding Your Kentucky Ancestry is as yet the best book on Kentucky genealogical research. I highly recommend it.
Ruby Coleman