Kentucky Genealogy contains information and records for Kentucky ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in Kentucky history.
The State of Kentucky is situated between 36 degrees 30 minutes, and 39 degrees 10 minutes, north latitude; and between 81 degrees 50 minutes, and 89 degrees 26 minutes, west longitude — and includes all that portion of territory which lies south and westward of a line, beginning on the Ohio river, at the mouth of the Great Sandy river, and running up the same, and the main and north-easterly branch thereof, to the great Laurel ridge or Cumberland mountains; thence south-west along said mountains, to a line of North Carolina. It is bounded north by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; east by Virginia; south by Tennessee; and west by the Mississippi river and State of Missouri. It is three hundred miles in length from east to west, and one hundred and fifty miles in mean breadth; and contains 42,600 square miles, or about twenty-seven million acres.
Elisha Atkinson’s 1820 will outlines his final wishes regarding his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He entrusts his soul to God and specifies decent burial arrangements. His estate provisions include support for his son Jowel, distributing livestock and funds to his children, including Seth, Allen, Betty, Amos, and John S. He allocates enslaved individuals to certain heirs, with stipulations for their management and inheritance. The will revokes any prior testamentary documents, affirming this as his final testament, and was proven in court in 1835 and 1836.
John Armstrong’s will, dated May 3, 1808, outlines his wishes regarding the distribution of his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He bequeaths his livestock and household items to his wife, Mary, appoints her and his son, George, as executors, and designates land allocations to his children. His daughter Jane receives a pot, while sons James and Matthew are granted land, contingent upon securing rights. Daughters Mary and Elizabeth are each bequeathed five shillings. The will was witnessed by William Thompson, Samuel Handly, and Jacob Anthony, and recorded in January 1818.
Elijah Wilson’s will, dated February 22, 1812, outlines his wishes for the distribution of his estate. He bequeaths all his property to his wife, Elizabeth, during her widowhood and stipulates that if she remarries, she retains a third of his personal property. The land he currently occupies goes to his son, Jeremiah, with instructions for the remaining property to be equitably divided among his daughters, Esther and Elizabeth, after Elizabeth’s death. He appoints Jeremiah Pugh and Thomas Salisbury as executors and revokes any previous wills.
Francis Wills of Muhlenberg and Saint Margaret Parish, in good health, drafted his last will on April 7, 1812. He bequeathed all his land and household items to his wife until her death, along with a featherbed to his daughter, Courting Wills. His sons Josiah and Wyat each received five pounds, while the remaining amount was divided among his other three sons. Micash and John Wills were named executors. The will was verified by witnesses and recorded in Muhlenberg County’s official records in August 1812.
John Vaught’s will, dated June 11, 1813, outlines his wishes regarding his estate. He bequeaths his property to his wife, Elizabeth, for her lifetime, along with farming tools and household items. His children receive various gifts, including land, horses, and cows, with specific bequests to his daughters, Margaret, Eleanor, and Polly, and sons Abraham and John. Upon Elizabeth’s death, the remaining estate is to be sold and divided among all children equally. Elias Smith and John Vaught are appointed executors. The will was confirmed and recorded in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
Richard Tyler’s last will, dated December 10, 1799, bequeaths his possessions, including household goods and enslaved individuals Nell and Sook, to his wife Sarah. Until their son Charles reaches adulthood, Nell’s ownership will be shared among the children. Tyler also instructs the sale of a headright obtained by Isaac Davis, with proceeds to be divided among his heirs. He entrusts the care of his sons John and Charles to Sarah, who is also named executor alongside Davis. The will was proven in court in January 1800.
