Most family history periodicals publish transcriptions of local sources used in genealogical research. Information published in periodicals may include family histories, genealogies, historical background of the locality, maps, information about local records and archives, queries, census indexes, transcripts of family Bibles, church records, court records, cemetery records, land records, obituaries, wills, and more. Often published by genealogical or historical societies, they typically focus on the records of a particular county or region, while a few may specialize in records of a particular ethnic group or religion. Among the periodicals for Kentucky at the Family History Library are:

Bluegrass Roots. 1973–. Published by the Kentucky Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 153, Frankfort, KY 40602. (FHL book 976.9 B2b; computer number 225119.) This periodical covers the entire state. A table of contents for back issues, beginning in 1976, is available on the web site of the Kentucky Genealogical Society. A cumulative index to the periodical is:

Harney, Brian D. Cumulative Index to “Bluegrass Roots,” 1973–1984. 1st ed.. Frankfort, Ky.: Kentucky Genealogical Society, 1985. (FHL book 976.9 B2b index; computer number 431069.)

The East Kentuckian: A Journal of History and Genealogy. 1965–. Harold, Ky.: Hall Printing, P.O. Box 24202, Lexington, KY 20524. (FHL book 976.9 B2e; computer number 209351.) Information in this periodical focuses on 40 counties lying east of a line, from Maysville to Monticello, Kentucky.

The Filson Club History Quarterly. 1927–. Published by the Filson Club Historical Society, 1310 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40208. (FHL book 976.944 B2f; computer number 260836.) This journal publishes articles on the history of Kentucky. It also includes material on the Ohio Valley and the upper South as they relate to the state of Kentucky.

Kentucky Ancestors. 1965–. Published quarterly by the Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601. (FHL book 976.9 B2ka; vols.1–7 on films 924765–6; computer number 225107.) This periodical covers the entire state. It contains transcripts of court records, vital records, censuses, newspapers, journals, and research helps.

The Kentucky Genealogist. 1959–1986. Washington D.C.: Martha Porter Miller, 1959–1986. (FHL book 976.9 B2kg; computer number 140593.) This periodical covers the entire state and contains abstracts of Bible, cemetery, census, probate, court, church, and military records. Each volume is indexed. It ceased publication in 1986.

Kentucky Pioneer Genealogy and Records: A Genealogical Journal Devoted to Kentucky. 1979–. Published by the Society of Kentucky Pioneers, 11129 Pleasantville Rd., Utica, KY 42376. (FHL book 976.9 D25k; computer number 25242.) This quarterly includes a 1979 index and indexes in the last volume of each year. It contains research helps; book reviews; and abstracts of cemetery, Bible, tax, census, and other county records.

The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society. 1902–. Published by the Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601. (FHL book 976.9 B2k; on 28 FHL films, beginning with 169079; computer number 210850.) This periodical covers the entire state and includes a separate index for volumes 1 to 43. It contains articles on various aspects of Kentucky history and culture.

Traces of South Central Kentucky. 1982–. Published by the South Central Genealogical and Historical Society, P.O. Box 80, Glasgow, KY 12141. (FHL book 976.9 B2s; computer number 503199.) This is a continuation of South Central Kentucky Historical and Genealogical Society Quarterly, which was published from 1974 to 1981 (computer number 225100). This periodical presents genealogical and historical information from south central Kentucky counties centered by Barren County, Kentucky.

Western Kentucky Journal. 1994–. Newburgh, Ind.: B.J. Jerome, P.O. Box 325, Newburgh, IN 47629–0325. (FHL book 976.9 D25j; computer number 706376.) The periodical contains records from 17 counties bounded on the east by a line between Henderson and Christian Counties. A table of contents for back issues, beginning in 1976, is available on the Western Kentucky Journal web site at http://pw1.netcom.com/~cpalmer/wkj/wkj3.htm.

Indexes. Some of the periodicals listed above have annual indexes in the final issue for the year.

A comprehensive name index to a number of Kentucky genealogical journals is:

Trapp, Glenda K. Kentucky Genealogical Index: An Every Name Index to “Kentucky Ancestors,” “Kentucky Genealogist,” “Kentucky Pioneer Genealogy & Record,” and “The East Kentuckian,” all Issues through 1980. Evansville, Ind.: Cook Publications, 1985. (FHL book 976.9 D22kg; computer number 359864.) The library has volume 1 of this work.

For nationwide indexes to other family history periodicals, see the “Periodicals” section of the United States Research Outline (30972.) For nationwide indexes to some of these and other family history periodicals, see:

Periodical Source Index (PERSI). 31+vols. Ft. Wayne, Ind.: Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1986–. (FHL book 973D25per 1847–1985; fiche 6016863 [set of 40] [1847–1985]; computer number 444407; book 973 D25per [1986–1997]; fiche 6016864 [set of 15] [1986–1990]; computer number 658308.) This indexes over 1.1 million articles in over 5,000 English-language and French Canadian family history periodicals. For further instructions, see the Periodical Source Index on microfiche (PERSI) (34119). For easier-to-use, more complete computer editions of the index, see:

Periodical Source Index CD-ROM. Orem, Utah: Ancestry, and the Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1997. (FHL compact disc no.61; computer number 808087.) This disc does not circulate to Family History Centers. It merges all 31+ volumes into one index.

“Periodical Source Index Search.” In Ancestry.com [Internet site]. [Orem, Utah]: Ancestry, 1999. Available at www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3165.htm. This online database is available only to Ancestry.com members for a subscription fee.

KENTUCKY- PERIODICALSKENTUCKY- GENEALOGY- PERIODICALSKENTUCKY- SOCIETIES- PERIODICALSKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- PERIODICALSKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- GENEALOGY- PERIODICALSKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- SOCIETIES- PERIODICALS

Return to top of page

Previous Document   Next Document

©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
[FamilySearch^TM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]