Kay County, Oklahoma Genealogy
Guide to Kay County, Oklahoma 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]
It is the only Oklahoma county keep its original territorial name. It is located in the north central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Kay County Courthouse
201 S. Main
P.O. Box 450
Newkirk, Oklahoma 74647
Phone: 580.362.2537
Clerk Court has marriage, divorce, probate and court records from 1893; County Clerk has land records from 1983[1]
Kay County, Oklahoma 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 |
| 1908 | 1893 | 1908 | 1893 | 1893 | 1893 | 1860 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
Land Records |
Boundary Changes[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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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]
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Kay County Cemeteries listed on USGS – Click on feature name in the list then use the GNIS Google Map feature too see map or satellite view of the location.
- Pioneer Genealogical Society Kay County Cemetery Index – This is an alphabetical name Index for interments in the Cemeteries which are available on CD from the Pioneer Genealogical Society.
Chilocco Indian School Cemetery
- Chilocco Indian School Cemetery Photo
Grant for Chilocco Cemetery Article - This article states that about 70 children were buried here.
Kay County Cemeteries listed on Find-A-Grave
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1900 | 22,530 | — |
| 1910 | 26,999 | 19.8% |
| 1920 | 34,907 | 29.3% |
| 1930 | 50,186 | 43.8% |
| 1940 | 47,084 | −6.2% |
| 1950 | 48,892 | 3.8% |
| 1960 | 51,042 | 4.4% |
| 1970 | 48,791 | −4.4% |
| 1980 | 49,852 | 2.2% |
| 1990 | 48,056 | −3.6% |
| 2000 | 48,080 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 46,562 | −3.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Federal Censuses were taken for Oklahoma starting in 1860. For links to Federal census indexes, see Oklahoma Census. 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census Search at the Oklahoma Historical Society Website
Dawes Rolls Search at the Oklahoma Historical Society Website
State Census Records
- 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census 1890 - Oklahoma Historical Societ
- 1890 and 1907 Oklahoma Territorial Census, 1890 and 1907 at Ancestry — index and image ($)
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Oklahoma denominations, view the Oklahoma Church Records Wiki page.
- 1897-1984 Oklahoma, Church Records, 1897-1984 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images - incomplete
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Blackwell
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Kay County Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 450
Newkirk, OK 74647
Main Phone Line: 1-580-362-2537
Toll Free Line: 1-888-567-4611
Available Records: Miscellaneous records (such as petitions to incorporate cities/towns, election returns for 1902, etc.) court judgments, mechanic and materialmens liens, physicians and hospital liens, and UCC filings.
On Demand Court Records – Search for Kay County court records online. Provides basic case information but no digital images are available.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Oklahoma State Historical Society has Smith's First Directory of Oklahoma Territory for the Year Commencing August 1, 1890, which provides information about the population of early Oklahoma. This transcribed index contains over 17,000 names.[7] To search: Smith's First Directory of Oklahoma Territory.
1941-1942 Kay County Atlas on the Pioneer Genealogical Society Website
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
American Indians[edit | edit source]
Cemetery
- 1901-1994 Oklahoma, Comanche County, Highland Cemetery Records, 1901-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Census
- 1851-1959 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Indian Censuses and Rolls, 1851-1959 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
- 1895-1914 U.S., Native American Citizens and Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes, 1895-1914 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
- 1898-1914 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Dawes Census Cards for Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
- Dawes Final Rolls - Oklahoma Historical Society
Land and Property
- 1884-1934 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Land Allotment Jackets for Five Civilized Tribes, 1884-1934 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
- 1889 Oklahoma County Plats 1889 - Oklahoma Historical Society
- 1898-1914 Oklahoma Applications for Enrollment to the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1899 1907 Oklahoma Applications for Allotment, Five Civilized Tribes, 1899-1907 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- For more information see Indigenous Peoples of Oklahoma
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
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 Oklahoma Land and Property for additional information about early Oklahoma land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Kay County land records began in 1893 with the original patents from the Oklahoma Land Run. Recordings have been kept daily since the Land Run, and are current to date.[8]
Kay County Clerk’s Office Oklahoma Public Land Records Search - The data for Kay County is available from August 1995 to present. This will give you the grantor and grantee’s names, case number, the date of the instrument and the date of filing, the type of document, book and page number where the filing is recorded and often the legal description of the property. Digital images or prints from this system require a fee. A variety of subscription levels are available as well as solutions for one time access. Bureau of Land Management Land Records Search Oklahoma Historical Society Land Records Resources
Online Land Records
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863-1908 U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
- 1889 Oklahoma County Plats, 1889 - Oklahoma Historical Society
- El Reno Homesteader Filings - Oklahoma Historical Society
For more information see Oklahoma Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Kay County, Oklahoma Genealogy. County and town histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Oklahoma Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Oklahoma - shows boundary changes for Oklahoma Counties
- Maps n More - county and township maps.
- Oklahoma Civil War Map of Battles
- 1910 Kay County Maps at Historic Map Works
- 1971 Kay County Maps at Historic Map Works
- Oklahoma Maps at Historic Map Works
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Military discharge records begin in 1917 Oklahoma Historical Society Military Records Resources
Revolutionary War[edit | edit source]
- 1775 1783 United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- For more nationwide Revolutionary War databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
Civil War[edit | edit source]
- 1879-1920 Oklahoma, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1920 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Oklahoma, Confederate Pension Index, 1915-1955 at Ancestry — index (free)
- For more nationwide Civil War databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
World War I[edit | edit source]
- For more nationwide World War I databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
- https://digitalprairie.ok.gov/digital/collection/p16807coll1/search/searchterm/veterans!kay%20county/field/topics!all/mode/exact!all/conn/and!all/order/nosort/ad/asc Kay County honor roll and service record : being names, service records and pictures of Kay County, Okla., men and women who took part in the World War, 1917-1918] at Oklahoma Digital Prairie; digital book
World War II[edit | edit source]
- 1940-1945 Oklahoma, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Oklahoma Military Deaths - Oklahoma Historical Society
- For more nationwide World War II databases, see US Military Online Genealogy Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Oklahoma Newspapers Online
- Oklahoma Digital Newspaper Project at Oklahoma Historical Society
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Oklahoma newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Oklahoma newspapers; searching tips
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Oklahoma newspapers
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- Oklahoma State Historical Society - catalog of known Oklahoma newspapers; lists repositories that have the newspapers
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Kay County, Oklahoma Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Kay County, Oklahoma Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
- Blackwell Journal
- Daily Oklahoman
- Newkirk Herald
- Ponca City News
- Arkansas City Traveler (Arkansas City, Kansas) – Sometimes carries stories and articles from Kay County, especially in the early historical editions.
- Oklahoma Historical Society Newspaper Article Search
- Oklahoma Historical Society Newspaper Catalog Search
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voter Records
- 1906-1956 Oklahoma, Voter Records, 1906-1956 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
In most counties in Oklahoma, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for Oklahoma - Kay - Probate records.
Online Records
- 1801–2008 Oklahoma Wills and Probate Records 1801-2008 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1887–2008 Oklahoma Probate Records, 1887-2008 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
Although Oklahoma did not become a state until 1907, some Oklahoma Territorial and Indian Territorial probate records were kept at a county level beginning in 1893. Records are available from 1893 until present day.[9]
School Records[edit | edit source]
- 1895-1936 Oklahoma, School Records, 1895-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Available Records: School records are available beginning in 1897. In 1897 Kay County had 88 school districts, compared to the present nine.[10]
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]
Oklahoma tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records.
- Kay County Clerk’s Office
- Online Property Search – This site may require a paid subscription for records access.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1908 in Oklahoma. Births records created 125 years ago and earlier and death records created 50 years ago and earlier are considered open records and can be obtained by qualifying individuals. See Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website for more information.
Copies of marriages can be obtained from the county clerk.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Online Birth Records Indexes and Images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Although Oklahoma did not become a state until 1907, some Oklahoma Territorial and Indian Territorial records were kept beginning about 1890. The marriage bonds, affidavits, licenses and certificates were kept at a county level, by or when the county was formed. However, one must keep in mind that these territorial marriages were sometimes not registered at all or they were registered at the county courthouses in adjoining states such as Arkansas, Kansas or Texas.[11]
The county began recording marriages at this time. Records are available from 1893 until present day and are in the form of scanned images of the original marriage registers. The county continues to hold all of the recorded marriage documents and none have been lost or destroyed by any manner. No official records are located offsite.[12]
- On Demand Court Records – Search for Kay County court records online. Provides basic case information but no digital images are available.
- Oklahoma Historical Society Marriage Records Resources
Online Marriage Records Indexes and Images
- 1790-1998 Oklahoma, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1841-1927 Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Marriage, Citizenship and Census Records, 1841-1927 at Ancestry ($)
- 1870-1930 Oklahoma Marriages, 1870-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index Only
- 1870-1930 Oklahoma, Select Marriages, 1870-1930 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1870-1930 Oklahoma, Marriages, 1870-1930 at My Heritage index ($)
- 1889-1951 Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Marriage Index, 1889-1951
- 1890-1995 Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1893-1999 Kay County Marriage Applications Index, Pioneer Genealogical Society – Records date from September 29, 1893 to December 31, 1999.
- OKGenWeb Oklahoma Marriages
Death[edit | edit source]
Online Death Records Indexes and Images
- Obituaries Listed in the Oklahoman - Oklahoma Historical Society — index only
- 1864-1941 Oklahoma Deaths and Burials, 1864-1941 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images - incomplete
- 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry ($)
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry incomplete ($}
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Online Divorce Records Indexes and Images
- 1923-1942 Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Divorce Index, 1923-1942
- On Demand Court Records – Search *for Kay County court records online. Provides basic case information but no digital images are available.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Kay County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Oklahoma Archives and Libraries.
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
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Kay County. For state-wide library facilities, see Oklahoma Archives and Libraries.
- Blackwell Public Library
123 W. Padon
Blackwell, OK 74647
Phone: 580-363-1809
Website - J.A. Walker Memorial Library
900 Morgan Square
Kaw City, OK 74641
Phone: 580-269-1317 - Newkirk Public Library
116 N. Maple Ave.
Newkirk, OK 74647
Phone: 580-362-3934
Website - Ponca City Library
515 E. Grand
Ponca City, OK 74601
Phone: 580-767-0345
Website - Tonkawa Public Library
216 N. 7th
Tonkawa, OK 74653
Phone: 580-628-3366
Website - Arkansas City Public Library
120 E. 5th Avenue
Arkansas City, KS 67005
Phone: 620-442-1280
Email: arkcitypl@acpl.org
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Kanza Museum
- Kaw City Museum
- McCarter Museum & Centennial Park
- Newkirk Community Historical Museum
- Newkirk Heritage Center
- Pioneer Woman Statue & Museum
- Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center
- Tonkawa Tribal Museum
- Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Kay County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Oklahoma Societies.
Pioneer Genealogical Society
PO Box 1965
Genealogy Room of the Ponca City Public Library
515 East Grand
Ponca City, OK 74602
Email: queries@pgsok.org
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Kay County on the USGenWeb Project - May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Kay County, Oklahoma on Wikipedia
- Oklahoma Research Outline PDF
- Oklahoma Tourism Genealogical Resources Website
- FamilySearch Catalog - 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]
- ↑ 1.01.11.2 Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Oklahoma. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/oka/kay/ accessed 09/29/2016
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Kay County, Oklahoma. Page 557-563 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), 550-552.
- ↑ Kay County Clerk’s Office, Newkirk, Oklahoma [(E-ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE),] to Wiki Editor, e-mail, 31 August 2011, "Records Information"; privately held by Wiki Editor [(E-ADDRESS), STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Arkansas City, Kansas, 2011.
- ↑ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, editor, FamilySearch Oklahoma Research Outline; PDF download (http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Oklahoma.pdf : downloaded 21 January 2011), np.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Kay County, Oklahoma," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_County,_Oklahoma, accessed 3 January 2019.
- ↑ Oklahoma Historical Society, Smith's First Directory of Oklahoma Territory For the Year Commencing August 1, 1890, transcription database, Smith's Index (https://www.okhistory.org/research/smiths : accessed 10 January 2019).
- ↑ Kay County Clerk’s Office to Wiki Editor, e-mail, 31 August 2011.
- ↑ Kay County District Court Clerk’s Office, Newkirk, Oklahoma [(E-ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE),] to Wiki Editor, e-mail, 1 April 2011, "Probate Records"; privately held by Wiki Editor[(E-ADDRESS), STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Arkansas City, Kansas, 2011.
- ↑ Kay County, Oklahoma, Kay County Clerk Homepage, responsibilities and records (https://www.courthouse.kay.ok.us/165/County-Clerkl: accessed 16 Sep 2020), citing school records entry.
- ↑ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, editor, FamilySearch Oklahoma Research Outline; PDF download(http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Oklahoma.pdf : downloaded 21 January 2011), 11-12.
- ↑ Kay County Clerk’s Office, Newkirk, Oklahoma [(E-ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE),] to Wiki Editor, e-mail, 12 January 2011, "Marriage Records"; privately held by Wiki Editor [(E-ADDRESS), STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Arkansas City, Kansas, 2011.
