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Campbell County History and Information
County History | Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records |
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Campbell County Facts


Click HERE to see D.O.T. County Map
The nineteenth county in order of formation, Campbell County is located in northern Kentucky. Covering 152 square miles, Campbell County was formed on December 17, 1794, from portions of Harrison, Mason and Scott counties and named for Col. John Campbell, a Revolutionary War officer originally from Ireland. It has county seats at ALEXANDRIA and NEWPORT.

The County is bordered by Hamilton County, OH (north), Clermont County, OH (east), Pendleton County (south), Kenton County (west). Cities, Towns and Communities include Alexandria, Bellevue, California, Claryville, Cold Spring, Crestview, Dayton, Fort Thomas, Highland Heights, Melbourne, Mentor, Newport, Silver Grove, Southgate, Wilder, Woodlawn

The topography of Campbell County is level to hilly. The rich river bottomlands produce large crops of burley tobacco, corn, hay, and vegetables. Pasture land is extensive, supporting large herds of beef cattle. The woodlands of the county are of mixed hardwoods, including ash, oak, hackberry, black walnut, and red cedar. The major watercourses are the Ohio and Licking rivers.

In early history of Campbell County, both Indians and pioneers moved along the Ohio River. Indian attacks were frequent during the settlement era. One of the first settlements in the area was Leitch's Station, built about 1789 by Maj. David Leitch, who fought in the Revolutionary War. In 1803 an army outpost (Newport Barracks) was established at the fledgling community of Newport to supply soldiers during the early Indian wars. This installation also served as a staging area for Soldiers embarking on campaigns during the War of 1812, the war for Texas independence (1836), and the Mexican War (1846-48).

Campbell County prospered during the antebellum period. The town of Newport was a contender for the capture of the river trade, but was eclipsed by the rapid growth of Cincinnati. Newport, however, became an important river city, retaining its status well into the twentieth century. Though sentiments for both sides ran high, the Civil War did not severely affect Campbell County, located as it was far to the north. During the war, the county continued to prosper and grow. Industries such as steel, meat processing, and brewing were created, mostly in Newport, which gave residents steady employment.

In 1887, following the destruction of the Newport Barracks by a flood in 1884, the army post was moved to higher ground and Fort Thomas was founded. As the post expanded, it eventually absorbed the nearby community of District of Highlands, and in 1914 the town of FORT THOMAS was established. In 1933 and 1937, the 10th U.S. Infantry, which assisted in flood relief, was garrisoned at Fort Thomas. In the late twentieth century the post was maintained by the Brooks-Lawler Army Reserve Center and a Veterans Administration Hospital.

Though Newport was chosen as the county seat in 1794, the desire for a centrally located seat of government led to the creation of two county seats. Three courthouses, built in Newport in 1795, 1805, and 1814-15, respectively, served Campbell County until 1827, when the seat was moved to Visalia, along the Licking River. Visalia was located too far from the population center of Newport, however, and the next year the government returned to the river city. It remained there until 1840, when it was moved to Alexandria, the center of the county. Though a new courthouse, completed in 1842, was constructed in Alexandria, the people of Newport, still the population center, built another courthouse in their city in 1883. Since then the county offices have been housed in both locales.

In the late twentieth century, Campbell County has developed three fairly distinct regions. It is industrial along the Ohio River, residential in the highlands, and rural to the south. NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY at HIGHLAND HEIGHTS makes the county a regional education center.

Campbell County has one of the largest concentrations in Kentucky of residents of German descent. Some 26 percent of Campbell County's population claim German ancestry.

The population of Campbell County was 88,501 in 1970; 83,317 in 1980; and 83,866 in 1990. The Official County Website is located at http://www.campbellcounty.ky.gov/ . See Extended History for More information.

 

There are free downloadable and printable forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms, U.K. Census Extraction Forms, Research Calendar, Ancestral Chart, Research Extract, Correspondence Record , Family Group Sheet , Source Summary Form.

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Campbell County Court Records
PLEASE READ!! 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 records may be in two different locations depending on the location of the county seat at the time. Both Newport (present county seat) and Alexandria should be searched, and there may be some overlap.

   Campbell County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1795 and Land Records from 1795 and is located at 340 York Street, Suite 2, Newport, KY 41071-1682; Phone: (859) 292-3845, FAX: (859) 292-3887 .
   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

   Campbell County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Probate Records from 1794 and Court Records from 1795 and is located at 330 York Street, Room #8, Newport KY 41071-1677; (859) 292-6314 .
   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.

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850; Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900; Kentucky Marriage Index, 1973-1999; Kentucky Land Grants; Kentucky Will Index, vol. 1 & 2 and Kentucky Will Index, Vol. 2,


Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

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

  • Campbell County, Kentucky Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Kentucky Immigration & Emigration Records - Immigration records help the family historian to understand the movements of their ancestry as they relocated to different parts of the world.

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Campbell County Vital Records
Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Certificates Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Often in as few as three business days!

   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:

  • 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 . You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE
  • 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 Campbell County clerk of the circuit court that granted the decree.You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificates . You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE

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. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
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. 

There are a few online marriage databases which include: Kentucky Birth Index, 1911-1999; Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850; Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900; Kentucky Marriage Index, 1973-1999; and Kentucky Death Index, 1911-2000

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

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Campbell County Census Records
Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Voter Lists & Census Records! - 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 Campbell County, 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. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Campbell 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.

See Also Statewide Records that exist for Kentucky

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

  • Campbell County, Kentucky Census Books at Amazon.com

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Campbell County Maps & Atlases

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

  • Campbell County, Kentucky Map Books at Amazon.com

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Campbell County Military Records
Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Military Records! - 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 Campbell County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Campbell County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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

  • Campbell County, Kentucky Tax Books at Amazon.com

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Campbell County 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 Campbell County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Campbell County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Campbell County Church & Cemeteries
Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. 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 Campbell County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Campbell 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 Campbell County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Campbell County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Search Online Click Here to Search Kentucky Family Tree Records! - 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 Campbell County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Campbell County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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County History

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