R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Kansas
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

PROBATE RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Kansas probate recordsLook this term up in the glossary. have been recorded by the clerk of the probate division of the county court in each county. Kansas probate records include docketsLook this term up in the glossary., willsLook this term up in the glossary., lettersLook this term up in the glossary., bondsLook this term up in the glossary., oaths, inventoriesLook this term up in the glossary., appraisementsLook this term up in the glossary., claimsLook this term up in the glossary., accountsLook this term up in the glossary., court ordersLook this term up in the glossary., and final settlementsLook this term up in the glossary.. The Family History Library has published transcripts of records, such as indexes of Shawnee County (Topeka) for the years 1855-1915, and is presently acquiring microfilm copies of county records.


Return to top of page


VITAL RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.


CityLook this term up in the glossary. and CountyLook this term up in the glossary. Records of BirthsLook this term up in the glossary. and DeathsLook this term up in the glossary.

A few counties in Kansas began keeping records of births and deaths in 1885. These records may be obtained from the office of the county clerk.

Birth and death records are also available from many of the cities in the state. The beginning dates of these records vary from about 1910 to 1940. You can write to the city clerk for further information.

The Family History Library is presently acquiring copies of pre-1912 birth and death records at the county courthouses in southeastern Kansas. The library also has a few files from mortuaries and funeral homes.


State RecordsLook this term up in the glossary. of Births and Deaths

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in July 1911. Delayed registrations of birthsLook this term up in the glossary. started in 1937. Copies of the state records may be obtained from:

Office of Vital Statistics
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
900 Jackson St
Topeka, KS 66612-1290
Telephone: 913-296-1400
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993; FHL book 973 V24wv). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers. You can also write to the Office of Vital Statistics (address above) for current information.


MarriageLook this term up in the glossary. and Divorce RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

County clerks and clerks of probate courts have been keeping records of marriages since the creation of each county in the state. Some date from the mid-1850s. You can write to the clerk's office in the county where the license was issued. The Family History Library is presently acquiring copies of pre-1920 Kansas marriage records.

Marriage records since July 1913 have also been kept by the state. These may be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics (see address above).

The district court in each county has had jurisdiction over divorces. Divorce information is interfiled with other court records. You can write to the clerk of the court for information. Since July 1951 a copy of the proceedings has been filed with the Bureau of Registration and Health Statistics.


Guide to Vital Records

A description of the history and availability of Kansas records is Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Kansas (Topeka: Historical Records Survey, 1942; FHL book 978.1 V2h; film 874348).


Return to top of page


FOR FURTHER READING

Anderson, Robert D., ed. “Searching in Kansas.” Journal of Genealogy, vol. 2 (May 1977), Omaha, Neb.: Anderson Publishing Co. (FHL book 973 B2jg.)

Eichholz, Alice, ed. Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992. (FHL book 973 D27rb 1992; computer number 594021.) Contains bibliographies and background information on history and ethnic groups. Also contains maps and tables showing when each county was created. See the chapter on Kansas.


Return to top of page


COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to:

Publications Coordination
Family History Library
35 N. West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
USA
We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information.

Paper publication: Second edition June 1997. English approval: 6/97.

Return to top of page

Previous 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.
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]