CRITTENDEN COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Crittenden County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the Western Coal Fields region of Kentucky, Crittenden County is a rural area bordered to the north by the scenic Ohio River. Renowned for its mineral wealth, it was historically known as the “Fluorspar Capital of the World.” Its history is deeply tied to the river, pioneer settlement, agriculture, and the mining industry that shaped its communities for generations. The county’s landscape of rolling hills and farmland is also home to a significant Amish community.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Crittenden County’s formation from a single parent county is the first step for researchers tracing ancestors who were in the area before its creation.

  • 1842: County Formed: Crittenden County was established on January 26, 1842, by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly.
  • Parent County: It was created entirely from the eastern portion of Livingston County. All records for ancestors living in this area prior to 1842 will be located in Livingston County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: The boundaries of Crittenden County have remained largely stable since its formation in 1842.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of John J. Crittenden, a distinguished Kentucky statesman who served as Governor of Kentucky, United States Attorney General, and a U.S. Senator.
  • County Seat History: The town of Marion was established as the county seat upon the county’s formation and has remained the center of county government ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was a traditional hunting ground for Native American peoples, including the Shawnee and the Chickasaw, who utilized the region’s rich natural resources and waterways.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant American settlement began in the late 1790s and early 1800s, as pioneers, many of them Revolutionary War veterans with land grants, moved into the area. The early economy was based on agriculture, particularly tobacco and corn, as well as timber harvesting. The Ohio River served as the primary highway for travel and commerce. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, the discovery and large-scale mining of fluorspar became the dominant economic driver, drawing workers and families to the region. In more recent decades, a notable Amish settlement was established, adding to the county’s cultural fabric.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse: Crittenden County Courthouse, 107 S. Main Street, Marion, KY 42064. In Kentucky, record-keeping is split between two primary offices at the courthouse:
    • The County Clerk holds land records (deeds), marriage records, tax books, and fiscal court records.
    • The Circuit Court Clerk holds probate records (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, and divorce records.
  • 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. For births and deaths prior to 1911, researchers must rely on alternative sources such as census records, church records, cemetery inscriptions, family Bibles, and newspapers.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1842 to the present are held by the Crittenden County Clerk.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Crittenden County Public Library: Located at 204 W. Carlisle St., Marion, KY 42064. This is the best local resource for family histories, local newspapers on microfilm, and other county-specific genealogical materials.
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA): Located in Frankfort, KY. This is the central repository for county records on microfilm for the entire state.
    • Kentucky Historical Society: Also in Frankfort, this society holds a vast collection of Kentucky histories, manuscripts, maps, and genealogical resources.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Livingston County, KY
    • Union County, KY
    • Webster County, KY
    • Caldwell County, KY
    • Lyon County, KY
    • Hardin County, IL (across the Ohio River)
    • Gallatin County, IL (across the Ohio River)

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