BOYLE COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Boyle County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, Boyle County is a landscape of rolling hills, historic towns, and rich agricultural land. Though small in area, it holds an outsized place in Kentucky’s history, with its county seat, Danville, known as the “City of Firsts” for hosting ten constitutional conventions that led to statehood. The county’s story is a compelling blend of pioneer settlement, educational leadership, and significant Civil War conflict, making it a key location for genealogical research.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Boyle County’s formation from two older, parent counties is the most critical first step for locating the correct records for early ancestors in this part of central Kentucky.

  • 1842: County Formed: Boyle County was established on February 15, 1842, by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from the southern portion of Mercer County and the northern portion of Lincoln County. Records for ancestors living in this area prior to 1842 will be located in either Mercer County or Lincoln County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Boyle County’s boundaries have remained generally stable since its creation in 1842. It has not been partitioned to form other counties.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of John Boyle (1774-1835), a distinguished Kentucky lawyer who served as a U.S. Congressman, Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and a U.S. District Judge for Kentucky.
  • County Seat History: Danville was an established and important town long before the county was created, serving as the first capital of the Kentucky District of Virginia. It was immediately and logically named the county seat upon Boyle County’s formation and has remained so ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the area was a rich hunting ground used by Native American tribes, most notably the Shawnee from the north and the Cherokee from the south. It was part of the contested “Great Meadow” that few tribes claimed for permanent settlement but many traversed.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Anglo-American settlement began in earnest in the late 1770s and 1780s as pioneers traveled the Wilderness Road into central Kentucky. Danville was founded in 1787 and quickly became a political and educational center, home to Centre College (founded 1819). The economy was built on the fertile land of the Bluegrass Region, focusing on agriculture (hemp, tobacco, corn) and livestock (cattle, horses). The county’s most significant historical event was the Battle of Perryville on October 8, 1862, the largest and bloodiest Civil War battle fought in Kentucky.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Boyle County.

  • Courthouse: Boyle County Courthouse, 321 W Main St, Danville, KY 40422. The County Clerk holds land records (deeds), marriage licenses (from 1842), and tax books. The Circuit Court Clerk holds probate records (wills and estates), civil, and criminal court cases.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Kentucky began in 1911. Records from 1911 to the present are held by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Records prior to 1911 are very sparse and inconsistent, though some may be found in family Bibles, church records, or newspapers.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1842 to the present are held by the Boyle County Clerk. For marriages before 1842, researchers must consult the records of the parent counties, Mercer or Lincoln.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Boyle County Public Library: Located at 307 W. Broadway St., Danville, KY 40422. Its Georgia de Menil Ilse Local History Room has an excellent collection of local family files, county histories, census records, and other genealogical materials.
    • The Boyle County Historical Society: This organization is a key resource for local history and publishes valuable information for researchers.
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA): Located in Frankfort, this is the central repository for microfilm copies of county records (deeds, wills, marriages, court orders) from across the state.
    • Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History: Also in Frankfort, this facility, run by the Kentucky Historical Society, has extensive collections of manuscripts, maps, and historical resources.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Mercer County, KY
    • Garrard County, KY
    • Lincoln County, KY
    • Casey County, KY
    • Marion County, KY
    • Washington County, KY

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks