Kentucky has many societies that have been organized according to peoples’ interests. Genealogical, historical, and lineage societies are especially helpful to genealogists because of the records and resources they collect, transcribe, and publish. Some societies now have Internet sites. Societies include:

Lineage societies (the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR], Colonial Dames, and Sons of the American Revolution, for example) require members to prove they are descended from a certain group of people such as colonists or soldiers. The applications for membership in these societies are usually preserved and occasionally published. National lineage societies such as the DAR have a large Kentucky membership. These are described in the “Societies” section of the United States Research Outline (30972). The Kentucky DAR is located at:

The Kentucky Society, NSDAR
Duncan Tavern Historic Center
Paris, Kentucky 40361
Internet: www.mindspring.com/~jogt/dar_ky.htm

Genealogical and historical societies

Societies may guide you to useful sources, suggest avenues of research, put you in touch with other genealogists who are interested in the same families, or perform research for you. The resources of the society may help in determining immigrant origins. Genealogical and historical societies occasionally publish transcriptions of original records. Most publish quarterly periodicals, a few of which are listed in the “Periodicals” section of this outline.

Some genealogical and historical societies hold conferences in which lecturers discuss genealogical research methods, available sources, and other topics of interest to the genealogist. These lectures may include information on records or research helps on a local, regional, or national level. Transcripts, audiocassette tapes, or syllabuses of the class outlines of these conferences are often made available to the public through the sponsoring society.

Major societies in Kentucky include:

Kentucky Historical Society
100 West Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
Telephone: 1-502-564-1792
Internet: www.kyhistory.org

The Kentucky Historical Society has the largest genealogical collection in Kentucky. Their holdings include information from all Southern States. The society’s current holdings are available online at the Department of Libraries and Archives web site, mentioned in the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline.

The Kentucky Genealogical Society promotes research of Kentucky families. They also publish items of genealogical interest, including the quarterly periodical Bluegrass Roots, mentioned in the “Periodicals” section of this outline.

Directory of Kentucky Historical Organizations. Frankfort, Ky.: Kentucky Historical Society, 1992. (FHL book 976.9 H24 1992; computer number 703320.). The organizations are listed by subject and include the address, phone number, hours, collection, membership information, and publications of each organization. There is an index to organizations and counties.

Family associations and surname societies have been organized to gather ancestors or descendants of specific individuals or families. Some seek out information on persons with a specific surname. See the “Societies” section of the United States Research Outline (30972) for a directory and more information about these societies.

Clubs or occupational or fraternal organizations may have existed in the area where your ancestor lived. Those societies may have kept records of members or applications that may be of genealogical or biographical value. Though many of the old records have been lost, some have been donated to local, regional, or state archives and libraries. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) is an example of an organization an ancestor may have joined.

Filson Club Historical Society
1310 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40208
Telephone: 1-502-636-0471
Fax: 1-502-635-5086
Internet: www.filsonclub.org/library.html
E-mail: filibrary@filsonclub.org

For Kentucky genealogical and historical societies that have records and services to help you with your research, see the “Archives and Libraries,” “Church Records,” and “Periodicals” sections of this outline. Many counties also have local historical and genealogical societies. You can find local society addresses by using directories cited in the “Societies” section of the United States Research Outline (30972).

For Kentucky societies, see the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog:

KENTUCKY- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY- GENEALOGY- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY- HISTORY- SOCIETIESKENTUCKY, [COUNTY]- HISTORY- SOCIETIES

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