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Be resourceful

Thinking about researching your own family history?

The best way to start is to record what you already know—your birthdate and birthplace, and those of your parents, siblings and grandparents, if you have that information.

If not, go to your oldest living relatives and start asking questions. Make sure to record your conversation or take a video with your smartphone to preserve the discussion. Get copies of any family photographs they have and ask for any old home movies, which could be digitally converted.

If you are really serious about digging up your family stories, there are plenty of online courses and many local genealogical and historical societies. Check out this list of Kentucky resources; it’s not all-inclusive, but it’s a good place to start. 

The Filson Historical Society

1310 S. 3rd Street, Louisville, (502) 635-5083

Louisville Kentucky Family History Center

1000 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville(502) 426-8174

Lexington Kentucky Family History Center

1789 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, (859) 269-2722

Elizabethtown Kentucky Family History Center

2950 Shepherdsville Road, Elizabethtown(270) 737-5037

Paducah Kentucky Family History Center

320 Birch Street, Paducah, (270) 443-8381

Kentucky Historical Society Library

100 West Broadway Street, Frankfort, (502) 564-1792

University of Louisville

Archives and Special Collections, Ekstrom Library, Louisville,(502) 852-6752

Special Collections Research Center

Margaret I. King Library

University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington,(859) 257-1742

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, (502) 564-8300

Sons of the American Revolution

SAR Genealogical Research Library

809 West Main Street, Louisville, (502) 589-1776

Library Special Collections

WKU Libraries

1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, (270) 745-6125

McCracken County Public Library

555 Washington Street, Paducah

(270) 442-2510

 

 

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