Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy
Guide to Muhlenberg County, Kentucky ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Muhlenberg County was named for Peter Muhlenberg. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Muhlenberg County Courthouse
100 S Main Street
PO Box 525
Greenville, KY 42345-0525
Phone: 270-338-1441[4]
Muhlenberg County Website
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1852 | 1802 | 1852 | 1799 | 1798 | 1801 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Kentucky county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Kentucky County Boundary Maps" (1776-1939) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
County Pronunciation[edit | edit source]
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
Cities | ||
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Unincorporated communities | ||
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Census-designated places | ||
Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Muhlenberg county cemeteries.
- Interment.net, Kentucky cemetery records by county.
- Cemetery Junction, Links to cemetery transcriptions
- Naming the Forgotten, The Eastern State Hospital Project
- Marion Hammers published a 4-volume comprehensive survey of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky cemeteries in the 1970s: Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, Cemeteries, Vols. 1-4.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1800 | 1,443 | — |
1810 | 4,181 | 189.7% |
1820 | 4,979 | 19.1% |
1830 | 5,340 | 7.3% |
1840 | 6,964 | 30.4% |
1850 | 9,809 | 40.9% |
1860 | 10,725 | 9.3% |
1870 | 12,638 | 17.8% |
1880 | 15,098 | 19.5% |
1890 | 17,955 | 18.9% |
1900 | 20,741 | 15.5% |
1910 | 28,598 | 37.9% |
1920 | 33,353 | 16.6% |
1930 | 37,784 | 13.3% |
1940 | 37,554 | −0.6% |
1950 | 32,501 | −13.5% |
1960 | 27,791 | −14.5% |
1970 | 27,537 | −0.9% |
1980 | 32,238 | 17.1% |
1990 | 31,318 | −2.9% |
2000 | 31,839 | 1.7% |
2010 | 31,499 | −1.1% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
For tips on accessing Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy census records online, see: Kentucky Census.
- Kentucky Census Transcriptions 1850-1930, USGenWeb
- Census Images, USGenWeb
- KY Census Online, Links to online census records
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Kentucky denominations, view the Kentucky Church Records wiki page.
- Kentucky Christian Church Directory, ChurchAngel
- Catholic Parishes in the Diocese of Lexington
- Catholic Parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville
Baptist[edit | edit source]
- Hazel Creek. Constituted 1797.[9] History includes church membership roll. Available online.
- Nelson Creek. Constituted 1803.[10]
- Unity. Constituted 1812. History includes early church minutes, membership rolls dated 1815 and 1840. Available online.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Records of several courts are available at the Muhlenberg County Courthouse. Some of these records have been microfilmed and are available through the Family History Library, while others have been published.
County Court Orders
A transcription of Volume 1 of the Court Order Books is online at U.S. Genweb. Court Order Book, Vol 1.
Brenda Collier Doss has published and indexed the first two County Court Order Books: Vol. 1, 1799-1804 and Vol. 2, 1804-1815. Marion Hammers' genealogical abstracts of county court orders appear as serial articles in the Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogical Society's journal The Muhlenberg County Heritage. Journal volumes are individually indexed.
Circuit Court Orders
Brenda Collier Doss has published and indexed the first Circuit Court Order Book: Vol. 1, 1803-1807.
- Abstracts of Early Kentucky Supreme Court Cases, KYGenWeb
- Kentucky Court of Justice Research & Reference
- Administrators and Guardian Settlements, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, 1834-1909.
Bankruptcy
A few residents of Muhlenberg (also spelled Muhlenburg) County appear on the Bankruptcy Act of 1841 list for Kentucky, see: The National Archives at Atlanta.
Directories[edit | edit source]
City directories often list the adult residents or businesses in a city or county. They are often published yearly and thus provide directly useful information on the names and places of the residents in the city or county.
- 1923 - Business Directory of Greenville and Some Other Information About Greenville and Muhlenberg County, Family History Library microfilm
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African Americans[edit | edit source]
More information about African American resources in Kentucky can be found on the African American Resources for Kentucky and the United States African Americans Wiki pages.
- African American Genealogy (US) has more information about the kinds of records available
- The KY African American Griots Project
- Kentucky Cultural Groups has information specific to Kentucky African Americans.
- Sandi Gorin's Tips, Hangings in Kentucky 1792-1900
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
- Muhlenberg County Libraries Local History Annex in Greenville, Kentucky, Phone: 270-338-5388 has many published histories of local families. In addition, a unique collection of family files regarding local families (arranged by surname), is available for public searches.
- A History of Muhlenberg County. By Otto Rothert. 1913. The volume contains many genealogies, is indexed and can be keyword searched using Google Books search.
- Jaggers, Michael and Melinda Jaggers. A New Country: Lewis, Tipton, Bruce, Lee, Williams, Walker and Associated Families Berry, Duvall, Earle, Gardner, Gill, Highley, Kincheloe, Oates, Randolph, Shank, Thompson, Wickliffe and Many Others. n.p.: M. Jaggers, 1990s. FHL Book 929.273 L585jm
- Muhlenberg County Genealogical Society. Muhlenberg County, Kentucky History and Families, 1799-1996. Paducah, Ky.: Turner, 1996. FHL Book 976.9832 H2m
- Murphy, Nathan W. Early Families of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: Vincent, Wright, McElwain, Wilkins and Jarvis; Historical Information and Sources for More than 2,000 Descendants of Charles Vincent, William Wright, George McElwain, John Wilkins, and John Jarvis, Whose Numerous Progenitors [Descendants] Make Up a Large Portion of the Present Population of Muhlenberg County. Hanson, Ky.: David W. Murphy & Associates, 1999. FHL Book 929.273 V743m
- Young, Laurie M. Family Notes on Keith, Lott, Sketoe, Donahoo and Arnold of Muhlenberg: Lear and Sheffield of Christian, Todd and Muhlenberg County, Kentucky; Smith and Beck, Spencer County, Indiana; Moffitt, Randolph County, North Carolina, Perry, Hickman and Humphries Co., Tn. Boise, Idaho: L.M. Young, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 K269y.
- [Baker] Chapman, Peggy Brown. Bakers of Logan, Christian, Muhlenberg, Livingston, Henderson, Hopkins, Caldwell, Union, Todd, Trigg, Crittenden, Lyon, McLean and Webster Counties & Jackson Purchase, Kentucky. Lubbock, Texas: P.B. Chapman, 1995. FHL Book 929.273 B171cp.
- [Bates] Rouse, Helen Elizabeth Girvin. "William Webb, Teacher: First English School in Washington County, Virginia," The Kentucky Genealogist, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1963):83-89.
- [Beadnell] Anderson, Bobby. Beadnell. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B358ab.
- [Buchanan] Anderson, Bobby. Buchanan. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 B852a.
- [Clark] Anderson, Bobby. The Sam Clark Family. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 C549ab.
- [Davis] McPherson, Lewin Dwinell. Kincheloe, McPherson, and Related Families: Their Genealogies and Biographies. Washington, D.C., 1951. FHL film 161929.
- [Davis] Anderson, Bobby. The Davises of Jesse and Charity. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D294a.
- [Davis] Moore, Robert P. Ancestors and Nelson Co., Ky., Associates of the Kincheloe, Wickliffe, and Davis Families of Prince William County, Virginia. Lexington, Kentucky: R.P. Moore, 1996. FHL Collection
- [Davis] Peyton, Helen E. Isaac Davis and Elizabeth Kincheloe of Virginia, Their Ancestors and Descendants, and Related Families. Charleston, S.C.: H.E. Peyton, 2005. FHL Book 929.273 D293p; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Dick] Hoffman, Muriel M. History of Peter and Christina Shutt Dick Family: Frederick County, Maryland, Wilkes County, North Carolina, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, Simpson County, Kentucky, Sangamon County, Illinois, Cass, County, Illinois. Anchor, Ill.: Hoffman, 1970. FHL Book 929.273 D55h
- [Doss] Murphy, Nathan W. Descendants of Azariah Doss and His Wife Lydia (Ayres) Doss. Hanson, Ky.: David W. Murphy and Associates, 1998. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 D741m.
- [Dozier] McPherson, Lewin Dwinell. Kincheloe, McPherson, and Related Families: Their Genealogies and Biographies. Washington, D.C., 1951. FHL film 161929.
- [Dozier] Fancy, Steven G. Genealogy of the Reno Family in America, 1600-1900. 1997. FHL book 929.273 R295f.
- [Dukes] Duke, Walter Garland. Henry Duke, Councilor, His Descendants and Connections. Richmond, Va.: Dietz Press, 1949. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library; FHL Book 929.273 D885d. (see page 274 for Muhlenberg connection)
- [Dukes] Brandenberger, Evelyn Duke. The Duke Family. 2 vols. [Houston, Texas]: E.D. Brandenberger, 1979-1995. FHL Book 929.273 D885b v. 1-v. 2.
- [Finley] Anderson, Bobby. The Finleys: Francis Yank and Tommy Reb. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F496ab.
- [Fleming] Anderson, Bobby. The Fleming Family. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 F629ab.
- [Forrester] Denham, Marion Lee. Stewarts, Forresters, and Related Families of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: A History of the Ancestry and Descendants of Eli Stewart and Sarah Lelia Forrester. Henderson, Ky.: M.L. Denham, 1987. FHL Book 929.273 St49dm
- [Free] Anderson, Bobby. Free Family. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 6249.
- [Ganey] Rouse, Helen Elizabeth Girvin. "William Webb, Teacher: First English School in Washington County, Virginia," The Kentucky Genealogist, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1963):83-89.
- [Garvin] Rouse, Helen Elizabeth Girvin. "William Webb, Teacher: First English School in Washington County, Virginia," The Kentucky Genealogist, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1963):83-89.
- [Greenwood] Anderson, Bobby. The Greenwoods of Muhlenberg County. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 G856a.
- [Grove] Grisham, Violet Lee Carter. Pioneers to Williamson County, Illinois, George Zacharias and Isaac Groves and Their Descendants. Marion, Ill.: V.L.C. Grisham, 199-?. FHL Book 929.273 Z11c.
- [Groves] Grisham, Violet Lee Carter and Edward Dean Grisham. Time Traveler. Marion, Ill.: V. Grisham, 1994. FHL Book 929.273 G919gv.
- [Hoskinson] Anderson, Bobby. The Hoskinson Family. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 H793a.
- [Jarvis] See General.
- [Kincheloe] McPherson, Lewin Dwinell. Kincheloe, McPherson, and Related Families: Their Genealogies and Biographies. Washington, D.C., 1951. FHL film 161929.
- [Kincheloe] Moore, Robert P. Ancestors and Nelson Co., Ky., Associates of the Kincheloe, Wickliffe, and Davis Families of Prince William County, Virginia. Lexington, Kentucky: R.P. Moore, 1996. FHL Collection
- [Kincheloe] Fancy, Steven G. Genealogy of the Reno Family in America, 1600-1900. 1997. FHL book 929.273 R295f.
- [Kincheloe] Peyton, Helen E. Isaac Davis and Elizabeth Kincheloe of Virginia, Their Ancestors and Descendants, and Related Families. Charleston, S.C.: H.E. Peyton, 2005. FHL Book 929.273 D293p; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Lanier] Ingersoll, Louise. Lanier: A Genealogy of the Family Who Came to Virginia and Their French Ancestors in London. Washington, D.C.: Goetz Printing Company, 1965. Digital version at World Vital Records ($).
- [Lovelace] Harned, Mrs. Earl L. "The Lovelace Family," The Kentucky Genealogist, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1974):16-21; Vol. 16, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1974):58-63.
- [McClellan] Anderson, Bobby. McClellan-- The Longest Name?. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 6259.
- [McElvain] See General.
- [McFarland] Anderson, Bobby. McFarland. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 6258.
- [McLean] Trotter, Sally Stone. McLean - The Family of Judge Alney and Tabitha McLean of Greenville, Kentucky. Greenville, Miss.: S.S. Trotter, 1983. FHL Book 929.273 M223t
- [McLean] Trotter, Sally Stone. McLean - New Data on the Family of Judge Alney and Tabitha McLean of Greenville, Kentucky and Collateral Families of Johnson and Whittemore. Greenville, Miss.: Burford Brothers Printing Co., 1989. FHL Book 929.273 M223ts
- [McNary] M'Nary, William Pollock. The M'Nary Family in the United States. Bloomington, Ind.: W.P. M'Nary, 1878. FHL Film 1035700 Item 6.
- [McNary] McNary Family with Trees and History. Pittsburgh, Pa.: McNary & Simpson, Printers, 1907. Digital version at Internet Archives.
- [Martin] Smith, Pearl O. A Crom (Crum)-Martin-Vaught (Vought) Connection. n.p.: P.O. Smith, 2000. FHL Book 929.273 C88sp; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Matherly] Anderson, Bobby. Matherly/Matherlee: The Family of John Woodford Matherly (1829-1894). Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 199-?. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 A1 no. 7812.
- [Miller] Peck, Mary J. Black. Saline County Cousins Illinois. Carrier Mills, Ill.: M.J.B. Peck, 1991, 1993. FHL Books 929.273 Sh27p v. 1-v. 2
- [Nanney] Anderson, Bobby. The Nanney Families. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 N155a.
- [Penrod] Anderson, Bobby. The Penrod Family: The Family of Tobias Penrod of Mud River. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 P386a.
- [Oates] Winebarger, William Lloyd. Oates, Earle, and Related Families. William Lloyd Winebarger, 1972
- [Randolph] Randolph, Blanche Willie Grace and Deborah Ann Kraemer Small. The Randolphs of Prince William County, Virginia. Little Rock, Arkansas: B. Randolph, 1979. FHL books 929.273 R159rb and supp.
- [Randolph] Small, Deborah Ann Kraemer and Blanche Willie Grace Randolph. The Randolphs of Prince William County, Virginia, Volume II. Winter Park, Florida: D. Small, 1989. FHL Collection
- [Randolph] Raski, Arma, James Randolph, and Glenita Guthrie. Additions & Corrections to Vol. II, the Randolphs of Prince William Co., VA by Deborah K. Small. FHL 6075877
- [Reno] McPherson, Lewin Dwinell. Kincheloe, McPherson, and Related Families: Their Genealogies and Biographies. Washington, D.C., 1951. FHL film 161929.
- [Reno] Randolph, Blanche Willie Grace and Deborah Ann Kraemer Small. The Randolphs of Prince William County, Virginia. Little Rock, Arkansas: B. Randolph, 1979. FHL books 929.273 R159rb and supp.
- [Reno] Fancy, Steven G. Genealogy of the Reno Family in America, 1600-1900. 1997. FHL book 929.273 R295f.
- [Rhoads] Brownlee, Frances Smith. Antecedents and Descendants of Margaret Ann Rhoads Smith (1860-1949): A Genealogical, Historical, and Reminiscent Account of Some Rhoads, Newman, Parker, Wright, Hamilton, Ramsay, and Related Families in Their Pioneer Days. Wichita, Kan.: F. Brownlee, 1957. FHL Film 560191 Item 1
- [Rhoads] Crosthwaite, Georgia E. and Bennett L. Smith. Our Simmons Forefathers and Their Descendants. Fort Worth, Texas: B.L. Smith, 1974. FHL Book 929.273 Si47cr
- [Rhoads] Rhoads, J. Paul. The Family of Henry, the Elder. Green Valley, Ariz.: J.P. Rhoads, 1980. FHL Book 929.273 R346rj
- [Rhoads] Cooper, Austin. Rhoads Family, ca. 1712-1982. Typescript, Willard Library, Evansville, Ind. FHL Film 1481381 Item 14
- [Rhoads] Smith, Robert K. Rhoades Rumors: A Family Newsletter. Provo, Utah: R.K. Smith, 1988-1993. FHL Book 929.27305 R346
- [Rhoads] Rhoads Family Association et al. The Rhoads Family Newsletter: by the Rhoads Cemetery and Family Association.
- [Rhoads] Steele, Betty Ann Williams.Williams and Weaver Ancestors. 3 vols. Las Cruces, N. Mex.: B.A.W. Steele, 1993-2000. FHL Book 929.273 W67st v. 1 to v. 3
- [Rhoads] Rhods, Alvin Lee. The Rhoads Family (Rhoades, Rhodes, Rhods): of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, Descendants of Henry Rhoads Sr. of Bedford County, Pa. Madison, Ala.: A.L. Rhods, 1996. FHL Book 929.273 R346ra
- [Rhoads] Engel, Marie Leighty. Henry Rhoads Senr.: Immigrant and Earliest Descendants. Salisbury, Md.: M.L. Engel, 1997. FHL Book 929.273 R346en
- [Rhoads] Rhods, Alvin Lee and Rhoads Family Association. The Rhoads Quarterly: Publication of the Rhoads Family, Descendants of Henry Rhoads of Bedford County, PA. Madison, Ala.: A.L. Rhods, 1999-. FHL Book 929.27305 R346rq
- [Rhoads] Smith, Pearl O. A Crom (Crum)-Martin-Vaught (Vought) Connection. n.p.: P.O. Smith, 2000. FHL Book 929.273 C88sp; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Rhoads] Isenhart, Marcella. Heinrich Roth: Early 1700's-1774. Dubuque, Iowa: M. Isenhart, 2002. FHL Book 921.73R742i
- [Rhoads] Rhods, Alvin Lee. The Rhoads Family in America. Madison, Ala.: A.L. Rhods, 2008. FHL Book 929.273R346raL
- [Roberts] Vaughn, Cassandra Lee. The Story of Frances Louise Roberts Vaughn: Her Ancestors and Descendants. Endwell, New York: C.L. Vaughn, c1996. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library; FHL Book 929.273 V465vca.
- [Ryan] Anderson, Bobby. Ryan: Captain James Buckner Ryan. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 R955a.
- [Skipworth] Anderson, Bobby Neil. Skipworth: A Genealogy, Backward and Forward, of the W.P. Skipworth Family with Related Carver Lines. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B.N. Anderson, 1990. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Sk36a.
- [Sumner] Anderson, Bobby. Sumner. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 Su66ab.
- [Stewart] Denham, Marion Lee. Stewarts, Forresters, and Related Families of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky: A History of the Ancestry and Descendants of Eli Stewart and Sarah Lelia Forrester. Henderson, Ky.: M.L. Denham, 1987. FHL Book 929.273 St49dm
- [Studebaker] Crosthwaite, Georgia E. and Bennett L. Smith. Our Simmons Forefathers and Their Descendants. Fort Worth, Texas: B.L. Smith, 1974. FHL Book 929.273 Si47cr
- [Vaught] Smith, Pearl O. A Crom (Crum)-Martin-Vaught (Vought) Connection. n.p.: P.O. Smith, 2000. FHL Book 929.273 C88sp; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Vincent] See also General.
- [Vincent] Vincent, Janie Wright and Warren J. Ashton. Descendants of Charlie Vincent (1805-1894) and Elizabeth Highley (1810- 1899) of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Typescript, 1963. FHL Book 929.273 V743a.
- [Webb] Rouse, Helen Elizabeth Girvin. "William Webb, Teacher: First English School in Washington County, Virginia," The Kentucky Genealogist, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1963):83-89.
- [Welch] Worstell, Linda M. Osias Welch of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and His Descendents. Sandy, Utah: L.M. Worstell, 1988. FHL Book 929.273 W442wo
- [Whitney] Anderson, Bobby. Whitney. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W611a.
- [Wickliffe] Moore, Robert P. Ancestors and Nelson Co., Ky., Associates of the Kincheloe, Wickliffe, and Davis Families of Prince William County, Virginia. Lexington, Kentucky: R.P. Moore, 1996. FHL Collection
- [Wickliffe] Peyton, Helen E. Isaac Davis and Elizabeth Kincheloe of Virginia, Their Ancestors and Descendants, and Related Families. Charleston, S.C.: H.E. Peyton, 2005. FHL Book 929.273 D293p; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- [Wilkins] See General.
- [Wood] Anderson, Bobby. Wood: The Family of Joseph Wood. Goodlettsville, Tenn.: B. Anderson, 1991. FHL FAM HIST Book 929.273 W85ab.
- [Wright] See General.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Kentucky Land and Property for additional information about early Kentucky land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
The organization Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Muhlenberg County land records. They offer a record retrieval service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:
- 1799-1807 Deed Book 1: 1799-1807
- 1807-1814 Deed Book 2: 1807-1814
- 1809-1813 Deed Book 3: 1809-1813
- 1813-1817 Deed Book 4: 1813-1817
- 1817-1823 Deed Book 5: 1817-1823
- 1823-1828 Deed Book 6: 1823-1828
- 1828-1832 Deed Book 7: 1828-1832
- The KY Land Office
- Brenda Collier Doss has published abstracts of Deed Books 1-14 (1798-1850).
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories see the wiki page section Kentucky Local Histories.
- A History of Muhlenberg County. 1913. By Otto Arthur Rothert. Louisville, Kentucky : J. P. Morton. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Kentucky (1776-1939)
- KYGenWeb compiled list of maps
- Click on the county to go to the KYGenWeb site
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- Military Resources, Revolutionary War through Civil War
Revolutionary War[edit | edit source]
Two genealogical abstracts of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Revolutionary War Pensions have been published:
1. The Muhlenberg County Heritage, Vol. 1 (1978).
2. Annie W.B. Bell, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, Pension Records: Abstracts of Pension Papers of Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Indian Wars Residing in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky (n.p.: n.p., n.d.).
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1861-1865 - Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1861-1865 - Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (Free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry— index (Free)
- 1912-1950 - Kentucky Confederate Pension Applications 1912-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Regiments. Men in Muhlenberg County served in various regiments and companies. Those listed below were specifically formed in this county:
- - 11th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry (Union), Companies B, H, I, and K
- - 3rd Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union), Companies D, F
- - 17th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry (Union)
- - 26th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry (Union)
- - 48th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry (Union)
Fewer than 150 Muhlenberg County citizens joined the Confederate Army.
World War I[edit | edit source]
Korean War[edit | edit source]
- Korean War Memorial for Soldiers from KY, KYGenWeb
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Chronicling America, Library of Congress. Has dozens of issues of The Record (Greenville, KY). Also available on Newspapers.com ($).
- USNPL, Kentucky, Kentucky newspaper index with links
- World-Newspapers, Kentucky, Kentucky newspaper index with links
- Kentucky Newspapers on Microfilm
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Kentucky Footsteps Archives, KYGenWeb
- Kentucky Obituary Sources, KYGenWeb
- Browning Genealogy Database, Compiled by Charles Browning.
- Kentucky Obituaries, USGenWeb
- Afrigeneas, African American death notices, obituaries and funeral programs compiled by users from current newspapers and historical sources
- Obituary Depot, Kentucky Newspaper Citations
- Obituary Daily Times, Citations to over 15,000,000 obituaries including interactive search function
- Nashville Christian Advocate Death Abstracts
Other Records[edit | edit source]
- Kentucky Postcards, USGenWeb
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records are held by the Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy Clerk of Court and are housed at the Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy Courthouse. Microfilmed records can be found online at Kentucky, Probate Records, 1792-1977 for Caldwell, Henry, Hickman, Russell and Trimble counties. See the wiki page Kentucky Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, naturalizations, and adoptions.
Online Probate Records
- 1727-1990 - Kentucky Probate Records 1727-1990 at FamilySearch — images
- 1774-1999 - Kentucky Wills and Probate Records 1774-1999 at Ancestry ($) — index and images
- 1798-1943 - Will Books 1 to 8 (1798-1943) digitized by FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1801-1968 - Muhlenberg County Kentucky list of will book testators SAMPUBCO - Browsable index of testators of wills. - free
- Strictly By Name provides free online indexes to early Muhlenberg County probate records. They offer a record retrieval service to photocopy and transcribe microfilm copies of the original documents for a small fee. Available indexes:
- 1801-1814 Will Book 1: 1801-1814
- 1814-1829 Will Book 2: 1814-1829
- 1831-1877 Will Book 3: 1831-1877
- 1799-1877 Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Abstracts of Wills and Administrations (1799-1877) - FHL - covers probate records found in will books by Marion Hammers.
- 1801-1814 Images of Wills, Estates, Inventories. Kentucky Pioneers ($)
Administrations Abstracts
- Marion Hammers' serial articles of genealogical abstracts of county court orders in the Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogical Society's journal The Muhlenberg County Heritage cover hundreds of probate administrations not found in will books. The journal volumes are individually indexed.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and slaves aged 21 to 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district. For more background information and state-wide resources see the wiki page Kentucky Taxation.
- 1800 - 1800 Tax List of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy is included in Clift's Second Census of Kentucky 1800,[11] digitized by Ancestry ($).
- 1853- 1853 Tax List of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy is available in microfilm at the Family History Library.
- Search Tax, Criminal, Land and Wills Records, Ancestry ($)
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Although Kentucky enacted a statute in 1852-1862 requiring registration of births and deaths,many counties did not comply. A second law was written in 1874-1879, and 1892-1910 but, again, was not always followed. By 1911, the law was more clearly defined and kept by 1920. Any existing births 1852-1960 and death records 1852-1953 can be accessed online. See How to Find Kentucky Birth Records and How to Find Kentucky Death Records for links to indexes and images.
Original marriage records are held at the office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk, with divorce records 1849-1958 located with the Muhlenberg County Circuit Court. For more information see How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records. For Kentucky divorce records see the wiki page Kentucky Vital Records.
- 1852-1953 - Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records 1852-1953, Ancestry ($) - Index and images
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1839-1960 – Kentucky Births and Christenings, 1839-1960 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1852-1862 - Muhlenberg County Birth Index 1852-1862. Batch C517801 at FamilySearch [12]
- 1874 - Muhlenberg County Birth Index 1874. Batch C517802 at FamilySearch
- 1875 - Muhlenberg County Birth Index 1875. Batch C517803 at FamilySearch
- 1911-1912 - Searchable KY Birth Index
- 1911-1999 Kentucky Births, 1911-1999 at MyHeritage ($) — index
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1609-2016 - Kentucky, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1785-1979 – Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1797-1954 - Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1852-1862 - Muhlenberg County Marriage Index 1852-1862. Batch M517801 at FamilySearch
- 1875 - Muhlenberg County Marriage Index 1875. Batch M517804 at FamilySearch
- 1876-1878 - Muhlenberg County Marriage Index 1876-1878. Batch M517805 at FamilySearch
- 1973-2000 - Searchable KY Marriage Records
- 1973-2000 - Kentucky Marriage Records 1973-2000
- 1960-1993 Kentucky Marriages, 1960-1993 at MyHeritage ($) — index
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1843-1970 – Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1852-1953 - Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records 1852-1953, Ancestry ($) - Index and images. Death records are complete for Muhlenberg County for the years 1911-1953 and many earlier years also survive.
- 1900-1999 Kentucky Deaths, 1900-1999 at MyHeritage ($) — index
- 1911-1965 - Kentucky Death Records, 1911-1965 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1911-2000 - Searchable KY Death Index
- The Social Security Death Index - How to Use this Collection
- The Kentucky Vital Records Project, Transcriptions and Images of Kentucky Death Certificates
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1973-1993 - Kentucky Divorce Records 1973-1993, University of Kentucky Vital Records Databases
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Muhlenberg County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Kentucky Archives and Libraries.
Archives of Appalachia
East Tennessee State University
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Madisonville Kentucky Family History Center
- Morgantown Kentucky Family History Center
- Green County Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Henderson County Kentucky Public Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Muhlenberg County. For state-wide library facilities, see Kentucky Archives and Libraries.
Muhlenberg County Public Libraries
Website
Multiple locations
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Muhlenberg County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Kentucky Societies.
Muhlenberg County Genealogical Society
111 South Main Street
P.O. Box 758
Greenville, KY 42345-0758
Muhlenberg County Kentucky History Group
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Muhlenberg County KYGenweb
- KYGenWeb project. Has maps, name indexes, history or other information for each county. Select the county.
- State of Kentucky Website
- USGenWeb Kentucky Archives
- The USGenWeb project May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Muhlenberg County KY Genealogy (Kentucky Genealogy)
- FamilySearch Catalog . Free - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Samuel R. Brown, The Western Gazetteer or Emigrant's Directory, Containing a Geographical Description of the Western States and Territories, viz. The States of Kentucky, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi: and the Territories of Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, Michigan, and North-Western. Auburn, N.Y.: H.C. Southwick, 1817. Digital versions at NIU Library Digitization Projects and World Vital Records ($).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Muhlenberg County, Kentucky" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhlenberg_County,_Kentucky."
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Muhlenberg County, Kentucky page 274, At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Page 268-276 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 251-254.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kentucky. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Voice of Dorothy Murphy (b. 1927), life-long resident of Central City, Ky. (2011)
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Muhlenberg County, Kentucky," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhlenberg_County,_Kentucky, accessed 5 September 2018.
- ↑ Spencer, J.H. “A History of Kentucky Baptists.” Cincinnati, OH: J.R. Baumes, 1885.
- ↑ Spencer, J.H. A History of Kentucky Baptists.
- ↑ G. Glenn Clift, Second Census of Kentucky 1800: A Privately Compiled and Published Enumeration of Tax Payers Appearing in the 79 Manuscript Volumes Extant of Tax Lists of the 42 Counties of Kentucky in Existence in 1800 (1954; reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2005).
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/7/75/Igikentuckymz.pdf.