Daviess County History and Information

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
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Daviess County Kentucky Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Daviess County, the fifty-eighth county in order of formation, was formed from a part of Ohio County on January 14, 1815. The county's borders were altered in 1829 to form Hancock County, in 1830 to absorb a small area surrounding Whitesville, in 1854 to cede land to McLean County, and in 1860 to annex forty-four square miles from Henderson County. Daviess County measures 463 square miles, making it eighteenth in size in the commonwealth. The county seat is Owensboro.

The County is bordered by Warrick County, IN (northwest), Spencer County, IN (northeast), Hancock County (east), Ohio County (southeast), McLean County (southwest), Henderson County (west). Cities, Towns and Communities include Masonville, Owensboro, Whitesville  

The Official County Website is located at http://www.daviessky.org/. No records were lost in a courthouse fire on 4 Jan 1865. See Extended History for More information.

  • Daviess 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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Daviess 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. No records were lost in a courthouse fire on 4 Jan 1865.

Daviess County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1815 and Land Records from 1815 and is located at P.O. Box 609, Owensboro, KY 42302-0609; (270) 685-8434, FAX: (270) 686-7111, [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

Daviess County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Probate Records from 1815 and Court Records from 1815 and is located at Courthouse, 100 E. 2nd St., P. O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277;(270) 687-7220, Probate (270) 687-7207 .

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 Daviess County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Daviess 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 Daviess 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 Daviess County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Daviess 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 Daviess County, Kentucky are 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.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Daviess 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 Daviess County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Daviess 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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Daviess 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 Daviess County Maps. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Maps by clicking the link below:

  • Daviess 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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Daviess 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 Daviess County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Daviess 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 Daviess County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Daviess County, Kentucky Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Daviess 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 Daviess County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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  • 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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Daviess 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 Daviess County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Daviess 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 Daviess County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Daviess 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 Daviess County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Daviess County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

William Smeathers (Smothers) settled at YELLOW BANKS, later Owensboro, in 1797 or 1798, about the time that Valentine Husk settled at Pup Creek. Other settlers were attracted to the healthy, well-drained hill country between Pup Creek and Blackford, especially along the many Indian trails that bisected this region, such as the Elizabethtown-Shawneetown trail. Another led from Iceland Landing on the Ohio to the town of Hartford in Ohio County. Yelvington, at the intersection of these two trails, became the first settlement in Daviess. The county was named to honor Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, a major landowner and lawyer killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe. At the creation of the county, the enrolling clerk misspelled the county name, making it officially Daviess. Later the General Assembly passed an act making the spelling Daveiss legal, but the error persisted.

Originally most of the county was timbered, and woodworking industries thrived in the nineteenth century. Some timber remains as an exploitable resource, but with the draining of the Panther Creek bottoms in the 1920s, the main area for timber exploitation was clear-cut and converted to agricultural use. Coal mining began commercially in the 1880s, and Daviess County became a major producer with the development of strip mining technology in the 1950s. Production peaked in 1984 at 1,482,779 tons. Oil production, which began in 1925, topped out in 1958 at 1,835,526 barrels of crude oil. Sand and gravel from the bed of the Ohio River are other major resources of the county. From the settlement era, the primary source of income in Daviess has been agriculture. By 1870 Daviess County was a major producer of corn, tobacco, hogs and cattle, and soybean cultivation was introduced in the 1930s. By 1963 Daviess had become Kentucky's primary soybean producer, and two years later soybean acreage exceeded that of corn for the first time. By 1980 soybean acreage was nearly twice that of corn. By the 1970s Daviess also ranked in the top ten Kentucky counties in the production of hogs and cattle.

Early settlers stayed along the higher elevations to avoid the malaria-infested bottoms and swamps. The disease remained a problem until the draining of the Panther Creek bottoms in the 1920s. The rich soil made slave labor profitable, and by 1860 Daviess counted 3,515 slaves and seventy-six free blacks, accounting for more than 20 percent of the county's total population of 15,549.

Strong emotional ties to the South made many Daviess County residents supporters of the Confederate cause during the Civil War. The county gained a reputation as a hotbed of rebellion, although most residents preferred a neutral position and opposed only Lincoln and the prospect of emancipation. Lincoln and the Republicans could attract only seven votes in Daviess in the election of 1860, as a majority of voters maintained the county's former Whig allegiance by voting for the candidate of the Constitutional Union party. While guerrilla raids were common, only one formal battle took place in Daviess County: a skirmish at Panther Creek that drove a Confederate force south from Owensboro.

Daviess County's first industrial boom came in the 1870s from the distillery industry. Eighteen distilleries were erected in a period of a few years. Plenty of corn, adequate supplies of white oak timber for barrels, and cheap transportation by steamboat made Daviess the leading producer of sour-mash bourbon. The competition from cheap whiskeys and beer, however, coupled with a high federal tax on bourbon in bonded warehouses, quickly brought an end to the boom.

Railroads arrived in the 1870s and 1880s to link Daviess County to markets. Factories making products as diverse as light bulbs, wagons and buggies, and sewer tile provided employment for town dwellers and markets for foodstuffs, forest products, and other materials from clay to coal. In twentieth-century development, plants were built to process meat, dairy products, grain, and tobacco. The county was recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a part of the Corn Belt area, where most of the nation's corn is grown.

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