Discover Kentucky History

Identifying Kentucky Civil War Soldier, Train Defender

Searching for the identity of an unnamed Kentucky Civil War soldier in a cherished family album led to surprising results. A handsome Union Army Captain looks out from the 1860s-era photo album passed down from Nina Rich Tomlin in Northern Kentucky. The soldier was...

Kentucky’s Role in the Mexican War: A Forgotten History

by Colonel Armando "Al" Alfaro

Explore Kentucky’s crucial role in the Mexican-American War. Learn about Kentucky’s volunteer regiments, their contributions, and the impact on the outcome of the conflict.

Elijah Craig and the Journey of Freedom: The Story of the Traveling Church

by Landon Willis

Delve into the captivating history of Kentucky’s Traveling Church led by Elijah Craig. Explore their journey of religious freedom, from Craig’s imprisonment for preaching without a license to their migration to Kentucky. Discover the significant role this pioneer congregation played in shaping Kentucky’s early religious landscape.

Kentucky’s Pioneering Role in Vital Records Documentation

by Ron Bryant

Discover the historical significance of Kentucky’s vital records and the pioneering Sutton Law. Learn about the state’s early efforts in recording births, deaths, and marriages, and how this legislation shaped the preservation of ancestral documentation.

Migration Routes from Kentucky: Leaving the Bluegrass for the Wild West

by KY Genealogical Society

Many Kentuckians escaped to the American West seeking to start anew in a land filled with opportunity.

Exploring the Era Before Railroads Transformed Central Kentucky

by Charles H. Bogart

The railroads were a disruptive technology for 1850s central Kentucky.

What a Mortality Study Reveals About Kentucky Life in the Late 1800s

by KY Genealogical Society

A mortality study from Kentucky in the late 1800s reveals the common causes of death.

How Fincastle County Became Kentucky: A Deep Dive

by Landon Willis

Join us as we take a journey back in time and uncover the story of how Fincastle County, Virginia, became the beloved state of Kentucky that we know today.

Unveiling Hidden Clues: Exploring the Power of Church Records for Genealogy

by Dr. Richard L. Harrison, Jr.

Discover Kentucky’s rich religious heritage in church records. Uncover ancestral details and vital statistics from Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic traditions.

Religious Pioneers in the Appalachian Wilderness: The Story of Letcher County’s First Church

by KY Genealogical Society

Explore the rich religious history of Letcher County as early settlers sought refuge and established the Indian Bottom Church. Learn about their journey of faith and freedom in the Appalachian wilderness, carrying the Holy Bible and Kentucky rifles as symbols of their devotion and resilience.