Library Resources
Every year many visitors from other states and countries spend time researching their genealogy here. Our library, which recently moved to spacious new quarters at 201 Cathedral Manor, includes a new Genealogy Room that has an extensive collection focusing on Kentucky and states and territories from which the original Kentucky settlers came; including Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. Nelson County was formed from the territory known as Jefferson County in 1785. In 1792 Kentucky became a state and from the original territory that was Nelson the following additional counties were formed: Hardin 1793, Washington 1792, Green (part) 1793, Bullitt (part) 1797, Ohio 1799, Larue 1842, Marion 1832, Spencer (part) 1826, Butler (part) 1810, Daviess 1815, Grayson 1810. We have information about this entire area as well as the surrounding states from which most of Nelson Count settlers came. The library online catalogue includes the entire genealogy collection. The collection houses and catalogues both the library’s collection and books that have been purchased by the Nelson County Genealogical Roundtable, an active local history group. Click here to go directly to our Online Catalogue. The Roundtable, founded in 1984 has purchased many books and microfilms, gathers donated local materials and organizes and maintains family files, and transcribes public records. They have printed books of these records that makes information readily available to genealogists all over the world. The group also provides volunteer research assistants in the Genealogy Room whenever the Library is open. Recently, they purchased a digital microfilm machine with local funds that makes it much easier to view and print from microfilm. Below are highlights of the genealogical collection.
- KY Death Certificates
- 1911-1956 Baptismal Records
- Complete Cemetery Transcription done in 1970s and 1980s
- Local Newspapers
- Charter of Ordinances of Bardstown
- Minute Books of Bardstown Trustees
- First Presbyterian Church of Bardstown Records
- Nelson County Court Records such as: Early Marriage Records Various Bonds Deeds Wills Circuit Court Records Birth & Death Records 1850s-1910 Papers pertaining to Debtors Tax Records
A great source for original records can be found in the Sutherland Building, 113 Stephen Foster Avenue; Telephone 348-1820. Records are stored in the basement.
Web Resources
Nelson County Links:
U.S. Gen Web Archives, Nelson County,KY
Kentucky Links
Cyndi’s List – Kentucky Links
General resource links, mailing lists, maps, military links, and more.
Filson Club Historical Society Kentucky Adoption Registry
Allows patron to post own profile.
Kentucky Death Records Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Repository for state records, county histories and other Kentucky records
Kentucky Vital Records Index
Searchable indexes for marriage records for 1973-1993, divorce records for 1973-1993, death indexes for 1911-1986 and 1987-1992.
Kentucky Vital Record Information
Index to Kentucky Vital Records Offices – addresses and phone numbers for each county.
The Orphan Brigade
Historical and genealogical information about the largest Confederate unit from Kentucky to serve in the Civil War.
KY Gen Web Archives
Kentucky links from Gen Web
United States Resources: Kentucky
Good links from Roots Web for Kentucky genealogy researchers.
University of Kentucky World Wide Subject Catalog
A current listing of the best genealogy sites maintained by UK.
Mega Links
About.com: Genealogy
An internet guide for genealogy, with feature articles, website links, and discussion forums.
Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Links on Internet
More than 205,000 links. One of the best resources on the net.
Family Search
Internet genealogy service maintained by the Mormon Church.
Gen Forum
A wealth of information nicely arranged. Search by state, county, and/or family name.
Rootsweb Genealogical Data Cooperative
A great place to start your genealogical research.
Sites Worth Browsing
Access Genealogy
Free includes information about Native American tribes by state, African American records, Bible records, cemetery records, old letters and military records.
Ancestor Hunt
Interesting easy-to-use format.
Ancestor Quest
A genealogical dictionary, links to passenger ships, Native American links, African American links, and Hispanic links.
Cemetery Do’s and Don’ts
Information about how to care for gravestones.
Cemetery Records Online
Records from over 2,000 cemeteries from all over the world.
D’ADDEZIO.com
An Italian genealogy starting page.
Distant Cousin
Includes interesting collection of city directories.
Everton Publishers
Some free, mostly fee, but this is a very reputable publisher of genealogy materials.
Geneasearch
Interesting browsing by state.
Genealogy Home Page
Another good browsing site.
Interment and Obituary Central
Cemetery search sites.
Olden Times
Historical newspapers
African American Links
AAGSNC Genealogical Resources Directory
More than 900 links from the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California.
African American Cemeteries Online
Cemeteries are listed by state.
African American Research
Slave records, military records, county deed books, local government records and more.
AfriGenas Homepage
This “site is devoted to African American genealogy” and features a mailing list, message boards and daily and weekly genealogy chats.
Afro-American Genealogical Research
Library of Congress provides a bibliography of resources for beginners or experienced researchers.
Christine’s Genealogy Website
Several databases and many articles, links to other sites, and specific and open topic forums.
Freedman’s Bureau Online
Records from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned was establised as part of the War Department on March 3, 1865.
Census, Military and Other Records
Census Links
6,000 plus links to birth, death, marriage and census transcriptions (including slave schedules.
Census Online & Other Diggins
Databases of census transcriptions, tax lists, marriages, Civil War soldiers and more. Search the entire site or browse by state.
National Archives and Record Administration
Census information, ships’ passenger lists, and naturalization, military, and pension records.
The Records Room
Search vital and military record links and publications through one directory. Includes indexes of Native American and cemetery records, passenger ship arrivals and addresses/links to every US county’s records office.
Search Systems
This site advertises access to over 17,000 free searchable public record databases.
Where to Write for Vital Records
Find out where to write for birth, death, marriage and divorce information – From the National Center for Health Statistics.
World War I Draft Registrations
Searchable database of more than 1 million records of World War I draft registration cards.
Finding a Professional Genealogist
Association of Professional Genealogists
A searchable index of some 1200 members. Includes information about how to become a professional genealogist.
GenealogyPro.com
An international directory of professional genealogists who pay to have their names included. Each entry lists credentials, prices and other pertinent information.
ProGenealogist
Professionals who list estimates, chat, and offer free stuff, news and links.
For Beginners
Family Tree Maker’s Genealogy Site
Everything you need to get started in genealogy research. A new topic is covered in each online issue.
Genealogy Today
Updated, searchable links plus a news center, site of the day, and guides for organizing your research.
Internet Genealogy
Teach yourself how to find genealogy resources on Internet. Lessons for beginners and intermediate users.
Step-by-Step Genealogy How-To-Guide
Step-by-step instructions to locate family information, a dictionary of genealogy terms and addresses for and information about hundreds of archives and libraries.
Native American Websites
Index of Native American Resources on the Internet
From the WWW Virtual Library – American Indians
Melugeon Heritage Page
An FAQ and a large ollection of links to Melugeon, Appalachian genealogy, and Native Americans
Preserving Records
Preservation of Scrapbooks and Albums
Provides advice on how to handle and care for scrapbooks and recommends sources for archival supplies. From the Library of Congress.
Reference Tools
Genealogy Web Page Tutorial
Tutorials to help you get started posting a family tree on the Web.
PublicLibraries.com
A listing of public libraries and their web sites organized by state. Other links lead to the Library of Congress, presidential libraries, U.S. state libraries, national libraries of the world and subject specific libraries.
Genealogy Spot
Specialized search links by country, ethnicity, religion, and state. Links for beginners, genealogists, kids, and teachers.
Search Engines
Newspaper Abstracts
Volunteers submit newspaper abstracts published in 1923 or earlier.
RootsLink
RootsLink searches its database of family history-related sites.
Special Interests
International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists
“This society supports the idea that public knowledge of murderers, thieves and other ‘black sheep’ in your family enhances the possibility of finding more about these ancestors, who otherwise might be genealogical dead ends.”
Local Catholic Church and Family History Genealogical Research Guide
Links to archdioceses, dioceses, churches, history, genealogy and biographies for whatever geographic region you choose.
Child Welfare Information Gateway – Adoption
Resources are organized by those of interest to professionals, adoptees, birth relatives and parents. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.