OWSLEY COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History

*None Listed

Owsley County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Owsley County is a rugged and historically rich region, defined by its narrow valleys, steep hills, and the three forks of the Kentucky River. It is a core part of Kentucky’s coalfield region, though its history is more deeply rooted in subsistence farming and timber. Its story is one of hardy pioneer settlement, fierce loyalties during the Civil War, and the enduring culture of Appalachia.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Owsley County’s formation from three parent counties and its subsequent role as a “mother county” is essential for tracing family lines back to the earliest settlements in this mountainous terrain.

  • 1843: County Formed: Owsley County was established on January 23, 1843, by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from portions of Clay, Estill, and Breathitt counties. Researchers must consult the records of these three parent counties for any ancestors living in the area prior to 1843.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Owsley County was later partitioned to form new counties. In 1860, its western portion was used to help create Jackson County. In 1870, its northern part was combined with portions of Breathitt, Wolfe, and Estill counties to form Lee County. These boundary changes are critical for locating records in the correct courthouse.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for William Owsley, a respected judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals who went on to serve as the 16th Governor of Kentucky from 1844 to 1848.
  • County Seat History: The county seat has always been Booneville. Originally known simply as Owsley Court House, the town was established on land donated by Elias Moore and was later renamed Booneville, likely in honor of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone who explored the region.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the mountainous region of Owsley County served as a hunting ground for Native American tribes, primarily the Shawnee and Cherokee. Permanent settlements within the county’s present-day boundaries were not common, but the area was well-traveled.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant settlement by non-native peoples began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as Scots-Irish, English, and German pioneers migrated into Kentucky. They established small, isolated subsistence farms in the river bottoms and narrow “hollers.” The economy was based on farming (corn, tobacco, livestock), logging the dense hardwood forests, and harvesting ginseng. During the Civil War, Owsley County was deeply divided, with families and neighbors fighting on both Union and Confederate sides, leading to intense local conflict and guerrilla warfare.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

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

  • Courthouse: Owsley County Clerk’s Office: Located at 1 Court Street, Booneville, KY 41314. This office is the primary repository for county records including marriage licenses (from 1843), land records (deeds and mortgages), and probate records (wills and estates).
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Kentucky began in 1852 but was inconsistent and not fully practiced until 1911. Some early records (1852-1862, 1874-1879) may be found at the County Clerk’s office or on microfilm. For records after 1911, researchers must contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1843 to the present are held by the Owsley County Clerk. These are typically the most complete set of early vital records for the county.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Owsley County Public Library: Located at 806 KY-11, Booneville, KY 41314. This library offers local history collections, census records, and other materials for family research.
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA): Located in Frankfort, KY. This is a crucial resource, holding microfilm copies of most county records, including those for Owsley County.
    • Kentucky Historical Society: Also located in Frankfort, KY. It provides access to a vast collection of Kentucky family histories, Bible records, maps, and photographs.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Lee County, KY
    • Breathitt County, KY
    • Perry County, KY
    • Clay County, KY
    • Jackson County, KY

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