Kentucky Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
These records cover the time period 1911-1955.

Record Description
Deaths were recorded on a pre-printed form. Certificates are arranged first by year, then by month, then alphabetically by county. Each year has sequential certificate numbers. Each month and the section of certificates between each month may include certificates for earlier months or years. In the last column of the index, the year date indicates the year where certificate can be found.

Record Content


The information in the records may include the following:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Date of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Marital status
 * Sex
 * Race
 * Age at death
 * Occupation
 * Date of death
 * Time of death
 * Place of death
 * Address of the deceased
 * Parents’ names
 * Places of birth of the parents
 * Date of burial
 * Place of burial
 * Cause of death
 * Name and address of the informant

How to Use the Records
Death certificates are the best source of death information. Information about the birth of the individual and names of the parents could lead to further information regarding the parents.

Record History
Beginning in 1852, death records were kept sporadically by individual counties and cities. In 1910, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a law to provide for the registration of births and deaths, which was instituted in 1911. By 1917, compliance with the law was about 90%.

Why the Record Was Created
Deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs. Death certificates were also used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates.

Record Reliability
Information regarding the event of death is usually reliable. Other information, such as the birthplace of an individual or names of the parents, is only as reliable as the knowledge of the informant.

Related Websites

 * Newspaper Obituaries
 * Kentucky Genealogy

Related Wiki Articles
Kentucky Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Example of a Citation for a Record in This Collection
"Kentucky, Death Records, 1911-1955." index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch,org: accessed 28 April 2011). entry for Lena Hammond Stevens, died 24 June 1955; citing Death Records FHL microfilm 1,358,116; Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, Frankfort, Kentucky.

Sources of Information for This Collection:
Kentucky. Statewide Deaths, 1911-1955. Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Frankfort.