80 Fascinating Glimpses into Kentucky’s Past: A Genealogy Journey

Genealogy can be an intimidating journey, especially when faced with the daunting emptiness of a blank pedigree chart. But what if you had a roadmap to guide you?

Starting your journey into family history research might seem overwhelming at first. You have a name, a surname, and perhaps a few family stories, but how do you piece it all together? And how does your family fit into the rich tapestry of Kentucky’s past? You might be surprised to know that your Kentucky ancestor might have already done some of the work for you, presenting their family history in a beautifully bound book. Such resources are more common than you might think, and they are closer than you realize!

Welcome to the fascinating world of genealogy through Google Books.

Google Books, boasting the world’s most comprehensive index of full-text books, is a treasure trove for family history researchers like you. By simply entering a surname or the name of your Kentucky ancestor, you might uncover their presence in a book, magazine, or pamphlet. Imagine finding them in an organization list, advertising their business, or perhaps even as a defendant in a court case!

In this blog post, we’ll journey together through 80 examples of family research and genealogy. We’ll explore the captivating stories of Kentucky families from yesteryear that have left their marks on the pages of history. And who knows? You might just find a connection to your own family lineage.

So, are you ready to discover your family’s place in Kentucky’s history? Let’s dive in!

Finding the Early Families of Kentucky

We did a larger search to find any genealogy books where a Kentuckian or Kentucky was cited. Google did not disappoint. Over eighty books were returned when we did the search in the summer of 2021. [The list is organized by surname below.] These books contain useful information on researching Kentucky’s past through family history records, such as census data, birth/death certificates and military service records among others.

In the Genealogy of the Eliot Family book, which was published around 1854, Benjamin Eliot’s daughter, Mary, married the Honorable John J. Crittenden of Kentucky. He later became one of Kentucky’s governors.

Extracted from the Eliot Family book.

 

Another book, The Seldens of Virginia and Allied Families, provides an entire chapter about the Breckenridge family. Robert Breckenridge had two sons who served in the Revolutionary War and later settled in Louisville, KY. Other family members settled in Bath and Bourbon Counties.

No genealogy listing from Kentucky would be complete without adding a book about The Boone Family. Many Kentuckians claim a blood line to Daniel Boone, who is considered a father of the Kentucky wilderness. Hazel Atterbury Spraker compiled this book in 1922. In the Preface, she notes that the family line had not been documented prior to her book. She has a long thank you list, which is always nice to see from a researcher. She covers the family through the Civil War and beyond. It is an excellent example of family history.

Reviewing the Family History Examples

Given that many of these books were penned long before resources such as Ancestry became available, they are teeming with invaluable information and captivating life stories of Kentucky ancestors.

The authors, many of whom are accomplished genealogists, often outline their methodologies, detailing how they gathered information, the sources they used, and in some cases, they even include photographs or documents. A common method used by many was conducting interviews with family members to gather firsthand accounts and information.

We all understand the immense effort and dedication that goes into such research! If you’re embarking on the journey of writing your own family history, it would be beneficial to review several of these books to gain an understanding of the suggested information to include. Beyond the invaluable insights, it’s genuinely enjoyable to witness the palpable pride emanating from these authors in their work!

Listing Genealogies with Kentucky Last Names

The following list contains the surname that is the subject of the book, the year published, and a link to the book title. As far as we know, the books are in the public domain and free to use.

In conclusion, the journey into genealogy is a unique blend of historical exploration, detective work, and storytelling. As we have seen, there are many resources available, particularly those hiding in plain sight, like the treasure trove within Google Books. These older texts, painstakingly compiled before the era of digital genealogy tools, offer not only information but also the life stories and experiences of our Kentucky ancestors.

As you embark on or continue your own genealogical journey, remember the immense effort that goes into this kind of research, as demonstrated by the authors of these genealogical books. They took pride in their work, carefully compiling family histories, and now we have the privilege of standing on their shoulders, using their work as a stepping stone to uncover our own family histories.

So whether you’re an experienced genealogist or a beginner just starting to trace your family lineage, keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep connecting the dots. Remember, every name, every date, and every story brings you closer to understanding your family’s place in the larger tapestry of history.

And who knows? Maybe one day, your own research and family story will be a guidepost for future genealogists. Here’s to discovering our roots and adding our own branches to the vast tree of human history. Happy researching!