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.
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
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
WKU Libraries
1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, (270) 745-6125
McCracken County Public Library
555 Washington Street, Paducah
(270) 442-2510
