KNOTT COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Knott County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in Eastern Kentucky, Knott County is a land of rugged beauty, deep-rooted family traditions, and a history intrinsically tied to coal. Carved from the mountains, its settlement patterns were dictated by narrow creek valleys, or “hollers,” which fostered isolated, tight-knit communities. Its culture is a rich blend of Scots-Irish heritage, Appalachian folklore, and the socio-economic impacts of the coal mining industry.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Knott County’s late formation from four parent counties is the single most critical fact for successfully locating records for ancestors who lived in the area before 1884.

  • 1884: County Formed: Knott County was established on May 5, 1884, by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. It was Kentucky’s 119th county.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from portions of Floyd, Letcher, Perry, and Breathitt counties. Records for ancestors living in this area prior to 1884 will be located in the records of one of these four parent counties, depending on their specific location.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Knott County has not been partitioned to form any other counties; its boundaries have remained relatively stable since its creation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of James Proctor Knott, who was the Governor of Kentucky at the time of its formation.
  • County Seat History: Hindman was established as the county seat upon the county’s formation and has remained so ever since. It is named for James Hindman, who was the lieutenant governor at the time.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to European settlement, the mountainous terrain of what is now Knott County was used as a hunting ground by Native American tribes, primarily the Shawnee and Cherokee.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant settlement by non-native people began in the early 19th century, consisting primarily of English, German, and Scots-Irish pioneers migrating from Virginia and North Carolina. They established subsistence farms along the creeks, and the economy was largely agrarian and insular for decades. This changed dramatically in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the arrival of railroads and the subsequent boom in the coal mining industry, which reshaped the county’s economy and society.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse: The Knott County Courthouse is located at 54 Main St, Hindman, KY 41822. This is the central repository for most county-level records.
    • The Knott County Clerk holds land records (deeds, mortgages), marriage licenses (from 1884), and fiscal court records.
    • The Knott County 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. These records are held by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. For records prior to this date, researchers must rely on alternative sources like church records, family Bibles, newspapers, and tombstones, as county-level records are very scarce.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1884 to the present are held by the Knott County Clerk. For marriages before 1884, researchers must consult the records of the appropriate parent county (Floyd, Letcher, Perry, or Breathitt).
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Knott County Public Library: Located in Hindman, this is a primary resource for local history and family research, often holding local newspapers on microfilm and published family histories.
    • Hindman Settlement School: This historic school has an archive that can contain valuable historical information and photographs about the region and its families.
    • Kentucky Historical Society: Located in Frankfort, this is the main state-level repository for Kentucky history and genealogy, with extensive collections covering all counties.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Floyd County, KY
    • Pike County, KY
    • Letcher County, KY
    • Perry County, KY
    • Breathitt County, KY
    • Magoffin County, KY

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