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Hickman County History and Information |
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Hickman County, the seventy-first county in
order of formation, is located in the Jackson Purchase
region of Kentucky. Because of a change in the main channel of
the Mississippi, a small section of the county, known as
Wolf Island, lies to the west of the river and borders
Missouri. The county now has an area of 245 square miles;
at the time of its formation in 1821, it comprised the
entire Jackson Purchase, Caldwell and Livingston Counties, covering 2,300 square miles. By
1886 seven additional counties had been formed from Hickman
County-Fulton, Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Graves, Marshall,
and Calloway.
The County is bordered by Carlisle County (north), Graves County (east), Weakley County, TN (southeast), Fulton County (south), Mississippi County, MO (west). Cities, Towns and Communities include Clinton, Columbus
The county was named for Captain Paschal Hickman,
killed in the massacre at the River Raisin in 1813. Columbus,
located in the northwestern section of the county on the
Mississippi River, was the original county seat; a log
structure built in 1823 served as the courthouse. The county
seat was moved in 1830 to CLINTON in the central part of
the county.
The topography of Hickman County is generally
flat, with some bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.
The soil is fertile; no noteworthy mineral resources are
known. Some small industries are located in the county
but the economy is principally agricultural, the main crops
being soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cattle, and hogs.
Sweet potatoes were once produced in abundance and in 1936
the county grew 2,625 bales of cotton, now no longer grown
locally. The land is drained by the Bayou du Chien and
Obion creeks, both having their sources in Graves County
and emptying into the Mississippi River from Fulton County.
In the west along Obion Creek are earthen structures
or mounds characteristic of the Mississippian culture,
a prehistoric people who inhabited the river valleys in
the southeastern United States. Many artifacts, such as
hunting and fishing tools, farming implements, pottery,
and burial goods, have been found on former village sites
and burial grounds.
Columbus, first settled in 1804, was called
Les Rivages de Fer (Iron Banks) by early French travelers
who thought the rust-colored bluffs there might contain
iron. Local tradition speculated that Columbus might become
the nation's capital, if it were moved from Washington,
although research has not confirmed the belief. In support
of the tradition is the location of Columbus, which was
near the geographical center of the nation after the Louisiana
territory was purchased from the French, besides being
on a major river that split the country's midsection. There
is an indication of ambition in the manner in which the
4,000-acre town tract (six and one-fourth square miles)
was laid out, with its streets five poles wide.
The town thrived as a river
port, expanding rapidly after becoming the northern terminus
of the Mobile & Ohio
(M&O) (now the Illinois Central Gulf) Railroad in 1861.
The port of Columbus was the transfer point for much of
the mid-continent's north- and southbound freight after
the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railway (now part of
the Burlington Northern) was constructed into Belmont,
Missouri, directly across the river in 1871. From Union
City, Tennessee, the Nashville & Chattanooga ran over
the M&O tracks through Columbus to Belmont, where it
connected with the Iron Mountain. Train ferries connected
the two rail lines, linking St. Louis with Mobile. Daily
steamboats transferred freight between Columbus and Cairo,
Illinois. In 1874 the Iron Mountain consolidated with the
Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railway, thereby making Columbus
a gateway to the West. The town reached its zenith around
1875-80 with a population near 2,000, but declined when
the M&O extended its rails northward to connect by
ferry with Cairo, Illinois, in 1881. Columbus College,
founded in the 1870s, met its end about this time as a
result of flood damage. The train ferry was discontinued
on January 1, 1912.
During the Civil War the Confederates established
Fort de Russey on the strategically located 80- to 120-foot
bluffs across the river from Columbus. Gen. Ulysses S.
Grant captured the fort in his first battle. The site of
the Battle of Columbus-Belmont is now a state park.
Repeated flooding forced removal of the town
to the safety of the bluffs in 1927 under the auspices
of the American Red Cross. The Columbus ferry closed in
1981, but the town regained port status in the 1980s with
river-related industries.
At the turn of the century,
Oakton and Moscow were thriving communities south of
Columbus on the M&O.
About 1915 the Burlington Way, a transcontinental route,
was marked along existing roads through Clinton, Croley,
and Beelerton. Other rural communities were Fulgham, Spring
Hill, Beulah, and Cypress.
Murphy's Pond in northeast Hickman County is
a unique cypress swamp owned by Murray State University,
which uses it as an outdoor classroom.
The population of the county was 6,264 in 1970;
6,065 in 1980; and 5,566 in 1990. The Official County Website is located at http://www.hickmankychamber.org/ .
See Extended History for More information.
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See Also Kentucky Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records
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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. |
Hickman County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1822 and Land Records from 1822 and is located at 110
East Clay Street, Suite
E, Clinton, KY 42031-1296;
Phone: (270) 653-2131,
FAX: (270) 653-4248 .
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
Hickman County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Probate Records from 1822 and Court Records from 1822 and is located at Courthouse
Annex,
109 South Washington Street,
Clinton, KY; Phone 270-653-3901
and 270-653 2026 .
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 Hickman County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Court Records by clicking the link below:
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See Also Vital Records in Kentucky
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 Hickman 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.
Below is a list of online resources for Hickman County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
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See Also Research In Census Records
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Hickman County, Kentucky are 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 Hickman 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 Hickman County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Census Records by clicking the link below:
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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 Hickman County Maps. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Maps by clicking the link below:
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See Also Military Records in Kentucky
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 Hickman County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman 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
- Hickman County, Kentucky Military Books at Amazon.com
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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 Hickman County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
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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 Hickman County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
- Hickman County
Historical Society,
Route 3 - Box 255,
Clinton, KY 42031
- 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
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See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Kentucky
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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 Hickman County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Hickman 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 Hickman County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Hickman County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
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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 Hickman County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Hickman 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: [ Hickman 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.
- Hickman County, Kentucky Family Books at Amazon.com
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