Carter County Facts

Click HERE to see D.O.T. County Map Carter County, the eighty-eighth county in order of formation, is located in northeastern Kentucky. The county has an area of 397 square miles. The County is bordered by Greenup County (northeast), Boyd County (east), Lawrence County (southeast), Elliott County (south), Rowan County (southwest), Lewis County (northwest). Cities, Towns and Communities include Denton, Grahn, Grayson, Olive Hill, Rush (Part) Carter County was formed on April 10, 1838, from parts of Greenup and Lawrence counties and named for state Sen. William Grayson Carter. GRAYSON, incorporated in 1844, is the county seat. Boyd County was formed in 1860 and Elliot County was formed in 1869, each from a portion of Carter County. In 1904 the residents of Olive Hill made an attempt to create the county of BECKHAM from the western part of Carter County. Other communities in the county include Hitchins, Carter, Soldier, and Grahn. Carter County has deposits of limestone, fireclay, and coal. Archaeological finds indicate that prehistoric Native American groups once lived in the area. Salt wells along the Little Sandy River drew pioneers in the late 1780s. Much of the area was part of a 70,000-acre tract that had been awarded by Virginia to Col. William Grayson for his services during the American Revolution. Other grants were the Robert Henderson tract and the Maylan tract, which included what would later be known as Carter Caves. In 1790 residents included Henderson, John Cox, John Rigs, and the Reaves family. The Civil War divided residents of Carter County. Although there were 320 slaves in the county just before the war, many residents supported the Union and joined Companies D, H, I, and G of the 22d Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Many of the Confederate sympathizers joined the Fields Partisan Rangers, organized by county sheriff William Jason Fields (whose grandson and namesake, William Jason Fields, served as Kentucky governor during 1923-27). Although only minor skirmishes occurred in Carter County during the war, there was personal and property damage. In the 1870s the western portion of the county was the scene of the UNDERWOOD-HOLBROOK FEUD. Salt extraction was a major industry in Carter County from the late 1700s until around 1850, and saltpeter was mined locally during the War of 1812. Five iron furnaces were built in Carter County, beginning with Pactolus in 1824; Mt. Savage and Star in 1848; Boone in 1856; and the largest, Iron Hills (later renamed Charlotte), in 1873. The last furnace to operate was Mt. Savage, which closed in 1882. Tobacco became the county's most important cash crop after 1883, when experienced growers from Owen, Henry, Carroll, and Grant counties emigrated to Carter County. Two sales warehouses and a chewing tobacco plant operated between 1890 and 1925. Clay was mined for use in steam locomotives and by the steel industry. Five brickyards produced fire bricks. Commercial mining of coal began in 1850. The industry prospered during periods of peak demand in 1891, 1902, 1920, 1947, and 1974. Strip mining after 1960 had a profound impact on the land and the county economy. Limestone mining continues, although the former underground quarry at Lawton was converted for a short time into a mushroom farm. After World War II, there was an exodus of labor from the county, and by 1984 most local jobs were in service fields or government. The skilled blue-collar workers who remained commuted to Boyd and other counties for jobs. The main highways in Carter County are US 60, KY l , KY 2, KY 7, and I-64, which was completed through the area in 1973. The road system brought tourism to the area and led to the formation of two parks in the county: Carter Caves State Resort Park in 1947 and Grayson Lake State Park in 1970. Camp Cardinal, a Girl Scout camp near Carter Caves, and the Robert C. Webb Conservation Camp are used by schoolchildren during the summer. Christian Normal Institute, renamed Kentucky Christian College in 1944, was founded on December 1, 1919, by J. W. Lusby in Grayson. Among former residents of the county are singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall; operatic singer Carol Malone; and Matthew Bacon Benjamin ("King Benjamin") Purnell, who in 1894 began to preach throughout the Midwest. By the early 1900s, Purnell had a following, known as the House of David, in which members committed their worldly goods to a common fund and believed in arranged marriages. The group sponsored bearded basketball and football teams and a bearded baseball team that toured the country from 1908 until 1958. The population of the rural county was 19,850 in 1970; 25,060 in 1980; and 24,340 in 1990. The Official County Website is located at ? . See Extended History for More information. Carter County, Kentucky History Books at Amazon.com Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

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.

Back to top

Carter County Court Records

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

   Carter County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1838 and Land Records from 1838 and is located at 300 W Main Str, Rm 232, Grayson, KY 41143-1298; (606) 474-5188, FAX: (606) 474-6883, [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

   Carter County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Probate Records from 1835 and Court Records from 1838 and is located at Courthouse, R oom 308, 300 WMain Street, Grayson, KY 41143; 606-474-5191.
   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,

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

• Carter 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.

Back to top

Carter County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Kentucky

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!

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

• Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
• Kentucky Vital Records Project
• Carter County, Kentucky Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

Carter County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records

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 Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Carter County Census Records by clicking the link below:

• Carter County, Kentucky Census Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

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

• Carter County, Kentucky Map Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

Carter County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Kentucky

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

• Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
• Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
• Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, from NARA publication M804.
• Southern Claims Commission from the State of Kentucky (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
• Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900 from the State of Kentucky (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Pension applications for service in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917, grouped according to the units in which the veterans served.
• Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the CSA (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers from southern units, labeled with each soldier's name, rank, and unit, with links to revealing documents about each soldier.
• Kentucky Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, 323 High Str, Paris, Ky, 40361;(859) 987- 1788
• National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution,
• Kentucky Society of Sons of the American Revolution,
• National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, 1000 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40203; (502) 589-1776
• Carter County, Kentucky Military Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

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

• Carter County, Kentucky Tax Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

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

• Carter County Historical and Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 1128, Grayson, Kentucky  41143-1128
• Local Kentucky Researchers, Find a local researcher or become a local researcher.
• 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]
• Kentucky Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
• Kentucky Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

Carter County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Kentucky

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 Carter County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Carter 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 Carter County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Carter County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

• Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
• Carter County, Kentucky Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
• Carter County, Kentucky Church Books at Amazon.com

Back to top

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

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 Carter County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Carter County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

• Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
• Search the Family Tree DNA Project- Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
• Sites on USGenweb: [ Carter County ] [ Kentucky ] [ Main Page ]
• [GenForum Message Boards] [Rootsweb Message Boards]
• Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
• Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
• Meet your ancestors. Learn their stories. Start your FREE family tree.
• Kentucky Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
• Carter County, Kentucky Family Books at Amazon.com
• Leadingham and Allied Families

Back to top

County History

   ?

Back to top