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Kentucky Research Roadtrips

Where are the records?
Let’s go find them together.

Some discoveries can’t happen behind a screen. We’re hitting the road to the places where Kentucky’s records actually live — together.

Destination SAR Genealogical Research Library
Date November 12, 2026
Time> 9:30a – 3:30pm
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What a road trip unlocks

Taking a research road trip offers several unique advantages that digital archives simply can’t replicate. Given your focus on Kentucky research, here are some key benefits:

Access to Offline Records

Many local resources—like courthouse deeds, church ledgers, or vertical files have never been digitized or made available online. Being there in person allows you to flip through pages that aren't behind a paywall.

Expert Local Knowledge

Local librarians and volunteers at historical societies or archives often have deep, specialized knowledge of the area’s families and migrations that isn't captured in a database.

Incidental Discoveries

While at a local archive or historical society, you might stumble upon a mention of your ancestor in a newspaper, a school yearbook, or a diary that wouldn't show up in a targeted name search online.

Networking with Kentuckians

You’re more likely to run into distant relatives or researchers working on the same lines or geographical area while visiting local repositories, leading to shared research, images, or documents.
     

What You'll Learn

The SAR Genealogical Research Library’s mission is to maintain and enlarge a collection of genealogical and historic materials for research not only into genealogy but to also further research into the Revolutionary War era. From its beginning in 1889, the collection has grown to over 55,000 items and includes family histories, local, county and state records and genealogy materials.  You will learn how to access these materials and use that knowledge to research your ancestors. Before you go, take advantage of the free SAR Genealogical Research Library Catalogue online at https://sarl.tlcdelivers.com to see what is available on the shelves.

The Experience

11members max — an intimate group
Freeto attend — pay $5 admission fee for SAR Genealogical Research Library,
The Sons of the American Revolution Headquarters is located at 809 W. Main Street in Louisville in a building with an interesting history, beginning its existence as a tobacco warehouse and surviving a class 4 tornado to house several commercial interests before being acquired by the SAR. Before beginning, we will take a moment to admire the facade and the rest of "Museum Row" on the 800 Block of W Main Street, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We will start our day with a welcome and orientation by the SAR Genealogical Research Library staff, followed by a walkthrough of the library and museum (if construction in the museum area permits). A highlight of the collection is the 1823 Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, on display for the America 250 celebration. Lunch is on your own in downtown Louisville, which has many fine restaurants for a quick bite. Then you have the entire day to research in the SAR Genealogical Research Library. At the end of the day, there will be a wrap up of what we have learned. Ensure an intimate experience, the tour and research day is limited to eleven (11) Kentucky Genealogical Society members. Sign up is first come, first served.

Metered parking is available on the street and there are several paid lots conveniently located nearby.

The tour is at no charge from the Kentucky Genealogical Society, however there is an admission fee of $5 per person from SAR. The fee is due at sign up and is nonrefundable, even if you cancel the trip.

To join us, select “Register”. [Be sure you are signed into “Member Login” before registering.]
     
Not a Member?

Join the Society — and ride along for free

If you are not a member, you can choose to join the Society and join this road trip. You will also have free access to all our educational webinars in the upcoming year as well as access to all of our past webinars in the Learning Library. And we are planning more exciting road trips in the future that you will not want to miss. Join today!
  • Free access to all educational webinars in the year ahead
  • Every past webinar in the Learning Library
  • More roadtrips coming — you won't want to miss them
Join today

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