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Genealogy and Local History

Who are your ancestors? You're invited to come down to the library and find out. Our librarians will help you get started.

Fill in and print a Generation Chart or Family Group Sheet



The Library collection includes many resources about the history of Kentucky and Henderson County, as well as surrounding counties. Many resources are also devoted to the genealogy of families in Henderson and Kentucky. In addition, the Library provides access via the Internet to many national and international genealogical records.

Library collecting high school yearbooks

Many people may not be aware that the library collects, houses, and preserves local high school yearbooks. We are in the business of preserving local history and high school yearbooks are a great source of information for people researching their family tree or tracking down a friend.

While our collection is extensive, there are gaps still to be filled. We are asking for help from the community in completing this valuable collection. If you can donate any yearbooks to fill in the gaps in our collection, the library would be most grateful.

Our Yearbook Collection

Barret Manual Training High School - 1913-1942, 1946-1955
Cairo High School - 1929
Corydon High School - 1915-1917, 1919-1920, 1938, 1949-1950, 1952, 1954
Dixie High School - 1929
Douglass High School - 1942 & 1955
Hebbardsville High School - 1929
Henderson City High School - 1956-1959, 1961-1971, 1973, 1975
Henderson Community College - 1965-1966, 1970-1971, & 1977
Henderson County High School - 1955-1976, 1977 (incomplete), 1978-1981, 1985-1989, 1991-1996, 1998, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2012
Holy Name High School - 1964
Niagara High School - 1929
Northwest Center (University of Kentucky) - 1961-1964
Robards High School - 1929
Smith Mills High School - 1929
South Junior High School - 1988-1990, 1992
Spottsville High School - 1924, 1929
Weaverton High School - 1944

Try WorldCat when you have run out of resources

WorldCat is a key resource for genealogists. It is the world's largest library database. It contains information for more than 68 million items owned by 7,600 libraries around the world. Constant growth makes WorldCat a rich resource for genealogists who seek primary source materials. Sample searches include family names, organizations, and geographic locations. If you find an item of interest, WorldCat will tell you which libraries own it. You may be able to travel to that library to view the item, or we may be able to borrow it for you. Many genealogists have furthered their research through WorldCat. Read one of the many real-life success stories.

New Resources

1960 Kentucky death records now available
For many people, a death certificate is a necessary evil, a symbol of life's conclusion. But, did you know that death certificates can actually help you trace your genealogy, in addition to providing information on individuals in your family tree? With information like parents' and spouses' names, means of death, dates of death, and names of cemeteries, these records can equip you with the information you need to take your genealogical line back generations.

The state of Kentucky began issuing death certificates in 1911 the library has access to all certificates made available for public view, from their inception all the way up to the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics' latest release, 1960.

Genealogical Records

Local History Records

Tax Records

Online Resources

Heritage Quest
This is a wonderful resource for those tracing their family trees. U.S. Census records from 1790-1930 are online and are searchable and browsable. There is also a Local History Collection that contains the entire contents from over 25,000 local and family history books. This collection is also searchable and downloadable. Read more...

Fold3 History & Genealogy Archives
Fold3 is a repository of historical documents from institutions such as the National Archives and the Library of Congress. There are currently over 73 million historical images digitized, with more added every day. History buffs, genealogists, teachers and military enthusiasts will benefit from Fold3's primary source documents including American Revolution and War of 1812 pension applications; Civil War photographs, war maps, widow pension files and slave records; WWII collection, Black History collection, Holocaust collection, newspaper archive and much more. With your library card barcode and password, you can even enjoy access from home!

Henderson Obituary Index
In 2004, the library began online indexing of obituaries that were printed in Henderson's local newspaper, The Gleaner. To date, the index includes 51,383 local obituaries and spans the years 1963 to present. Library staff are continually working to include obituaries from past years. Obituaries can yield family information important to genealogists.

The Library has subscriptions to other high-quality resources. However, the companies that provide those resources do not allow the Library to give its patrons full access outside of the Library. Patrons are welcome to use any of the following in-house resources during regular library hours.

Websites of local interest

Henderson County Historical and Genealogical Society
Henderson County GenWeb Page
Fernwood Cemetery Index (Henderson, Kentucky)
Kentucky Vital Records Index (death, marriage, divorce)
Census Online - Henderson
Census Online - Kentucky
Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
Kentuckiana Digital Library
Union County GenWeb Page
Webster County GenWeb Page
Hopkins County GenWeb Page
KYGenWeb Page
Owensboro Area Obituary Index
Kentucky Genealogical Society
Surnames of Kentucky
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Kentucky Census Archive
Southeastern Genealogy
Willard Library, Evansville, Indiana
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
Browning Genealogy - Evansville, IN, area obituary search