The Kentucky Records Digitization Program
The Kentucky Genealogical Society has launched a new way to help preserve the Commonwealth’s historical records. After careful review, the Society’s Board of Directors restructured its previous grant program to better serve the goal of preserving genealogically significant materials.
Instead of awarding monetary grants, the Society will accept nominations for specific Kentucky records that need digitizing. Chosen collections will be professionally digitized — at no cost to the nominator — by a vendor selected and paid by the Society.
The Kentucky Records Digitization Program, builds on our ongoing partnership with FamilySearch.org to digitize county clerk records across Kentucky. The program expands that mission to include other types of genealogically rich collections held in local libraries, historical societies, archives, and museums.
Who Can Nominate Records?
Anyone — individuals or organizations — may submit a nomination. You don’t need to be part of a nonprofit to nominate a collection. However, the records themselves must be publicly accessible and owned by a nonprofit organization. We are not able to fund digitization of privately owned or for-profit records.
What Kinds of Records Are Eligible?
To qualify, records must:
- Genealogically useful
- Not already digitized
- Accessible to the public after digitization
Examples include:
- Historic newspapers
- Church directories
- Yearbooks
- Cemetery or funeral home records
- Business ledgers
- Lodge or club reports
- Orphanage, hospital, or poorhouse files
A full list of requirements is included with the pdf fillable nomination form below.
Timeline
- Submissions Open: July 1, 2026
- Deadline: October 31, 2026 (End of Day)
As part of the process, owners of the records must give permission for digitization and agree to a review visit from a Society representative. Digitized copies will be returned to the owning organization for public access. The Society will also retain a digital backup for preservation purposes. Digitized collections will be made available through the Community History Archive hosted by Advantage Archives.
We look forward to working with libraries, local societies, and individuals across the state to ensure these invaluable records are preserved for future generations.
Questions?
Contact digitize@kygs.org.
Download Kentucky Records Digitization Program Guidelines and Nomination Form
Kentucky Records Digitization Program Collections
2025 – Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Stamping Ground, Kentucky
Founded in 1877, the Cedar Grove Baptist Church collection of records, span nearly 150 years and include meeting minutes, ladies’ auxiliary records, historic photographs, handwritten manuscript books, and the original church Bible. These records can reveal relationships and migrations that help connect generations. The church served families in Franklin, Owen, and Scott counties, including communities such as Elmville and Peaks Mill.
2025 – Odd Fellows Lodge #293, Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Representing more than 130 years of community life in Eastern Kentucky, these records include meeting minutes, membership rolls, financial ledgers, newspaper articles, historic photographs, and correspondence from this fraternal organization. These records provide occupations, residences, and networks of neighbors and relatives, offering a fuller picture of the people in this community.
2025 – Livington Ledger Newspapers, Smithland, Kentucky
This newspaper collection spans from 1924 into the early twenty-first century, of The Livingston Enterprise, The Livingston Leader, The Livingston County News, The Livingston Newsletter, and The Livingston Ledger of Smithfield, Kentucky. This record set includes obituaries, marriage announcements, school news, court reports, and personal columns that preserve stories of this community.
These collections can be accessed HERE.