Floyd County Kentucky Genealogy Research

Floyd County sits in eastern Kentucky. It is in the mountains. The county seat is Prestonsburg. The county formed in 1799. It took effect in 1800. James John Floyd gave his name. He was a surveyor. He explored the frontier. The county has a sad note. The first court house burned. It was April 8, 1808. Early records were lost. This is key to know. Floyd County genealogy records start after 1808. The County Clerk keeps them. Researchers must plan for this gap.

Floyd County Clerk Genealogy Records

The Floyd County Clerk holds records. Chris D. Waugh serves as Clerk. His office is on Central Avenue. The address is 149 South Central Avenue. Prestonsburg, KY 41653. Staff are ready to help. They know the limits. They know what exists.

The phone is 606-886-3816. The fax is 606-886-8089. Email is floydclerk@windstream.net. The website has forms. It has information. Call before you visit. Ask about records. Ask about hours.

Floyd County 1808 Courthouse Fire

Floyd County has a record gap. The first courthouse burned. It was April 8, 1808. All early records were lost. This is vital to know. No records exist before this date. Marriage records start in 1808. Land records start in 1810. This is the reality.

Researchers must work around this. Check parent counties. Floyd came from Fleming. It came from Mason too. Look there for early records. Your kin may appear there. Land may be recorded there. Wills may be filed there.

Family records help too. Bible records are key. They may have dates. They may have names. These fill gaps. Cemetery stones help. They may show birth years. They may show death years. Use these clues. Build from what you have.

Floyd County Marriage Records and Genealogy

Marriage records start in 1808. This is after the fire. The Clerk has them. They are complete from then. Bonds and licenses exist. Returns are filed too. Bonds show intent. They name the bondsman. This is often kin.

Marriage licenses now cost $46. They are good for 30 days. This is for current use. For old records, fees are less. Ask at the Clerk. Get certified copies. These prove relationships. They help with research.

Search the marriage books. Start with 1808. Work forward. Find your couples. Note the bondsmen. They may be brothers. They may be fathers. This links families. It proves connections.

Floyd County Land Records for Genealogy

Land records start in 1810. This is after the fire too. They are at the Clerk. Mountain land was rugged. Farms were small. But families held on. Land passed to heirs. Records show the chain.

Search the deed books. Ask for the index. It lists grantors. These are sellers. It lists grantees. These are buyers. Find the book and page. Then view the deed. It may name a wife. She may release dower. This proves her name.

Land records help find women. They are often hidden. But deeds name them. They sign releases. This shows they lived. It shows they had rights. Use these clues. Build your tree.

Tips for Floyd County Genealogy Research

Start with the fire in mind. No records exist before 1808. Check parent counties. Fleming and Mason may help. Your kin may be there. Early deeds may be there. Wills may be filed there.

Check the census. Floyd County has them. They start in 1810. Each shows families. They show ages. They show birth states. This tracks where from. Many came from Virginia. Others from North Carolina. Some came from other parts of Kentucky.

Check nearby counties. Floyd borders others. Knott County is nearby. Pike County too. Johnson County is close. Your kin may have lived there. Records may be there. Families moved in the hills. They did not see lines.

Cities in Floyd County

Floyd County has Prestonsburg. It is the seat. It sits in the mountains. Other towns exist too. Each has its own past. All share county records.

The county is mountain land. Hills and hollows shape it. The Floyd County Clerk serves all. Records are in Prestonsburg.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

Floyd County touches others. Research may lead you there. Families moved often. Check these nearby places.