Breathitt County History and Information

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Breathitt County Kentucky Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Breathitt County, the eighty-ninth county in order of formation, is located in eastern Kentucky in the mountainous Cumberland Plateau. The county has an area of 494 square miles. It was formed in 1839 from Clay, Estill and Perry counties, and named for Gov. John Breathitt (1832-34). JACKSON is the county seat.

The County is bordered by Wolfe County (northwest), Magoffin County (northeast), Knott County (east), Perry County (southeast), Owsley County (southwest), Lee County (west). Cities, Towns and Communities include Jackson  

The population of Breathitt County was 14,221 in 1970; 17,004 in 1980; and 15,703 in 1990. The Official County Website is located at http://www.breathittcounty.com/. The courthouse or the jail was burned during the Civil War by Confederate troops. A fire in 1873 destroyed most of the county's records. See Extended History for More information.

  • Breathitt County, Kentucky History Books at Amazon.com
  • Search Historical Newspapers from Kentucky (1787 - 1939) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 125 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in more than 500,000 issues of over 2,500 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
  • Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.
  • Stories, Memories & Histories - Stories and histories compiled by others researching a person or area can be an amazing source of information about your ancestors. Not only do they generally contain dates and places of vital events like birth, marriage, and death, but they often relate stories and memories that help you really get to know the character of your ancestors.
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Breathitt County Court Records

See Also Kentucky Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Search Kentucky Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The courthouse or the jail was burned during the Civil War by Confederate troops. A fire in 1873 destroyed most of the county's records.

Breathitt County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1852 and Land Records from 1870 and is located at 1137 Main Street, Jackson, KY 41339-1194; Phone: (606) 666-3810, FAX: (606) 666-3807, [EMAIL] .

The duties of the county clerk are numerous and varied, falling into the general categories of clerical duties of the fiscal court, issuing and registering, recording and keeping records of various legal instruments, election duties, tax duties, transfers, and titling, and issuance of marriage licenses and much more. One of the most important responsibilities of the County Clerk's office is the recording of land records. The most common documents recorded are deeds, mortgages, and assignments and mortgage releases. The other is Marriage Liscenses

Breathitt County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Probate Records from 1884 and Court Records from 1873 and is located at 1137 Main St., Jackson, KY 41339; 606-666-5768, FAX 606-666-4893, Office email .

The Circuit Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining the records of the circuit court. Divorces, civil litigation, criminal crimes, probate, wills , estates and various other functions.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Breathitt County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Kentucky

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics is located at State Dept of Human Resources, 275 E. Main St. 1EA, Frankfort, KY 40621; (502) 564-4212. They have the following records:

  • Ordering Vital Records Online- You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Birth & Death Certificates: The Vital Statistics Law of Kentucky, providing for and legalizing the registration of births and deaths, was enacted by the General Assembly of 1910 and became effective Jan. 1, 1911. The Office of Vital Statistics has no records of births and deaths occurring prior to the above date except delayed records of births for those born before 1911, which have been established by affidavits and documentary evidence. Fees are listed below. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates or Death Certificates.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: Central registration of marriages and divorces began in Kentucky in June 1958. The Office of Vital Statistics has no records of marriages and divorces prior to that date. Copies of marriage certificates prior to June 1958 may be obtained from the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. Records of divorce proceedings are available from the Breathitt County clerk of the circuit court that granted the decree. You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificates.

Cost of certificates

Birth: $10 per certificate; Death, Marriage and Divorce are $6 per certificate

  • In Person:You can stop in the office at 275 E. Main St. in Frankfort and obtain a certified copy of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate by completing an application form between the hours of 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday.There is approximately a one-hour wait to receive the certificate. Directions to Vital Statistics Office
  • By Mail: Mail a check or money order (no cash) payable to the "Kentucky State Treasurer" along with the necessary information to the following address: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 E. Main St. 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Please include return address on envelope and application form.

Processing Time

Please allow up to approximately 30 working days for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail.

  • Birth Records: Expect longer delays during peak request periods from May through September. You should request certified copies of your birth certificate early enough to avoid delays if you are planning retirement, sporting events for the children, travel/passports, children entering school for the first time, etc.
  • Death Records: There may be delays in issuing new certified death certificates if the original certificate is not promptly filed in Frankfort by the funeral homes.

Phone, Fax, On-Line, or Credit Card

To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by phone, fax, on-line or purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek. There is an additional $10.50 fee for all credit card purchases. Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. If faster delivery is required, you may wish to have the certified copy sent by Federal Express. Please state this when placing the order for the copy. There is an additional fee for this service.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Breathitt County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Kentucky

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Breathitt County, Kentucky are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Earlier U.S. censuses for Kentucky were destroyed, but published tax lists serve as a replacements for the lost 1790 and 1800 censuses.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Breathitt County, Kentucky are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Union Veterans Schedules were conducted in 1890 but only returns for sixty-five Kentucky counties remain of the 1890 Union veterans and widows schedule of the federal census of Kentucky.

Statewide Records that exist for Kentucky are 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Earlier U.S. censuses for Kentucky were destroyed, but published tax lists serve as a replacements for the lost 1790 and 1800 censuses. Extracts and indexes for many of Kentucky's censuses have been compiled and published. Original or microfilm copies of the federal census returns are available at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Several Kentucky indexes to censuses predate those published by AISI.

State School Census for Kentucky infrequently enumerated public school students beginning in 1888. Scattered records are at the office of the respective county Board of Health or Board of Education. Some are maintained by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and the Kentucky Historical Society.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Breathitt County, Kentucky Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Breathitt County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Kentucky and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Kentucky showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Kentucky showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Kentucky Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect...

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Maps. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Maps by clicking the link below:

  • Breathitt County, Kentucky Map Books at Amazon.com
  • Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.
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Breathitt County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Kentucky

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Breathitt County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

One of the most valuable sources for early Kentucky until 1892 is its tax records. Most counties have yearly tax records from the date of organization. Some early tax schedules list watercourse, value and acreage of real estate, men over twenty-one, young men between sixteen and twenty-one, slaves, and horses. Extant county tax schedules from the date of organization of the county through 1892 have been microfilmed for most counties and are available from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and the FHL.

Numerous original tax records from 1892 are available at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. The Kentucky Historical Society has tax records to 1875.

Kentucky tax lists are arranged by county and date. Within the counties, residents within its districts are grouped together and names usually arranged under the beginning letter of the surname, although these are not in strict alphabetical order. Some early tax records have been published and are available in research libraries.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Breathitt County, Kentucky Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Breathitt County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Kentucky Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Breathitt Co Genealogical Society, Breathitt Co Public Library, 1024 College Ave, Jackson, KY 41339
  • The Kentucky Historical Society, 100 W. Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601; 877-444-7867,[EMAIL]
  • The Kentucky Genealogical Society, PO Box 153, Frankfort, KY 40602-0153 [EMAIL]
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Kentucky Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Breathitt County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Kentucky

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Breathitt County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Breathitt County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Church membership of early Kentuckians include Baptist, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic. Some church records were published, others were microfilmed, some are housed in church repositories, but many remain in the local church. Church records and histories may be found in periodicals pertaining to Kentucky. Repositories include the DAR Library, the FHL, Kentucky Historical Society, University of Kentucky Library, and Filson Club Library.

Many collections of cemetery records are available for Kentucky. In 1977 the Kentucky Historical Society began computerizing extant cemetery records for the state. Cemetery tombstone transcriptions are included in the Ardery collection. Kentucky regional libraries and some other large genealogical libraries outside the state have collections of Kentucky cemetery transcriptions. In addition, publications pertaining to Kentucky and Kentuckians frequently contain cemetery records for the state.

Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Breathitt County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Breathitt County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

The rugged foothill county is located on the edge of the Eastern Coal Field, where resources include coal, iron, and timber. Major rivers are the North and Middle forks of the Kentucky River and numerous tributaries, which include Quicksand, Troublesome, Lost, and Frozen Creeks.

Stone artifacts found in the county indicate that prehistoric people lived there, often finding shelter under rock ledges and farming the Kentucky River bottoms. The first penetration of white settlers into the area began in the 1780s and included such family names as Haddix, Neace, Noble, Strong, Turner, and Watts. Most of them settled in the vicinity of Lost Creek. By the 1790s, the North Fork of the Kentucky River and sections near Quicksand and Frozen creeks were settled.

The isolated mountain county grew slowly. For most of the nineteenth century it was sparsely inhabited by subsistence farmers; the only industries were logging and salt making. In the 1860s the Civil War ignited a long-running tradition of violence in Breathitt County. No major battles were fought there, but bitter animosity between Northern and Southern sympathizers led to sixty-four deaths, mostly of Confederate and Union soldiers who had been discharged or were home on leave. Capt. Bill Strong led a pro-Union faction of guerrillas in cattle rustling. A dispute over the division of spoils led to the Strong-Amis feud, which lasted into the 1870s.

Feuding between the Little and Strong clans caused Gov. Preston H. Leslie (1871-75) to send sixty members of the state militia to Jackson on September 16, 1874. By the time the soldiers were withdrawn in December of 1874, their numbers had increased to five companies. A narrow margin in a local election in November 1878 rekindled hostilities and caused Gov. James B. McCreary (1875-79, 1911-15) to order troops to the county from mid-December 1878 to February 1879. In the early twentieth century, the Hargis-Marcum feud gave the county the tag "Bloody Breathitt."

The Kentucky Union Railroad (later the Louisville & Nashville) entered the county between 1888 and 1890, and on July 15, 1891, Jackson became the southern terminus of the road. The Ohio & Kentucky (abandoned in 1935) was extended from Jackson up the valley of Frozen Creek. The railroads opened up the county's timber and coal resources, and the population rose from 8,705 in 1890 to 14,320 in 1900 and 17,540 in 1910.

By the 1920s, most of the timber had been cleared, and the last of the large companies, Mowbray and Robinson, left the county in 1925. Fifteen thousand acres of the Robinson property at Quicksand were donated to the University of Kentucky as the Robinson Agricultural Experiment Substation and Robinson Forest. In 1929 completion of KY 15 gave the county access to Winchester on the west and Virginia on the east. Other county roads were built during the Great Depression by the Public Works Administration.

Breathitt County once had a strong agricultural economy. By the 1930s, however, much of the land had been damaged by erosion or soil depletion. In 1987 farms occupied only 14 percent of the county land area, and a mere 22 percent of the farmland was under cultivation. Crops included hay, corn, and tobacco. The largest employers in 1990 were coal and mining-related industries.

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