LAUREL COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Laurel County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Kentucky, Laurel County is a region deeply rooted in the history of westward expansion. Bisected by the historic Wilderness Road, it served as a crucial corridor for early pioneers venturing into the Kentucky frontier. The county’s landscape is dominated by the lush Daniel Boone National Forest, and its history is a story of pioneer fortitude, Civil War conflict, and an economy built on the area’s rich natural resources like timber and coal.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Laurel County’s creation from four parent counties is fundamental for tracing early family lines and locating records that predate its formation.

  • 1825: County Formed: Laurel County was established on December 21, 1825, by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. The government became effective in January 1826.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from portions of Rockcastle, Clay, Knox, and Whitley counties. Researchers looking for records prior to 1826 must determine which of these parent counties their ancestor’s specific land area was located in.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Laurel County has not been partitioned to form any new counties; its boundaries have remained largely stable since its creation.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the Laurel River, a major waterway in the region, which itself was named for the dense thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) growing along its banks.
  • County Seat History: London was established as the county seat at the time of the county’s formation and has remained so throughout its history.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the area that is now Laurel County was used as a traditional hunting ground by Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee and the Shawnee.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant non-native settlement began in the late 1790s and early 1800s, spurred by the county’s location along the Wilderness Road and Boone’s Trace. Early settlers were drawn by land grants and established subsistence farms. The “Great Salt Lick” in neighboring Clay County also drove traffic and commerce through the area. The economy was historically based on farming, logging, and coal mining, with the arrival of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in the 1880s dramatically increasing the exploitation of timber and coal resources. The county was also the site of the significant Union victory at the Battle of Camp Wildcat during the Civil War in 1861.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse: The Laurel County Courthouse is located at 101 S. Main Street, London, KY 40741.
    • The Laurel County Clerk holds land records (deeds), marriage licenses, and fiscal court records.
    • The Laurel 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. Records from 1911 to the present are held by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. For records prior to 1911, researchers must rely on alternative sources such as church records, family Bibles, cemetery inscriptions, and newspapers, as county-level records are very scarce.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1826 to the present are held by the Laurel County Clerk.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Laurel County Public Library: Located at 120 College Park Drive, London, KY 40741. This is the primary local resource, with a dedicated genealogy and local history room containing books, microfilm of newspapers and county records, and family histories.
    • Laurel County Historical Society: P.O. Box 816, London, KY 40743. A crucial resource for local family history, historical photographs, and publications.
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) & Kentucky Historical Society: Both located in Frankfort, KY. These are the premier statewide repositories for Kentucky genealogical research, holding original county records on microfilm, state documents, and extensive historical collections.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Jackson County, KY
    • Clay County, KY
    • Knox County, KY
    • Whitley County, KY
    • McCreary County, KY
    • Pulaski County, KY
    • Rockcastle County, KY

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