Franklin County is the home of the state capital of Kentucky. Records show the early presence of Black residents in the capitol city.
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Free Blacks and Mulattos in the 1850 Census
| 1850 Surname Index |
| Free Blacks 1850 Census |
Free Blacks and Mulattos the 1860 Census
| 1860 Surname Index |
| Free Blacks 1860 Census |
Black Births - 1874-1878
An index to African-American (Black and Mulatto) births recorded in Franklin County 1874-1878 (no births recorded in 1877). If a likely birth is found and more information is needed, Franklin County Vital Statistics are available on microfilm at either the State Archives or the Kentucky Historical Society. These records were indexed by AAGGKY member, Mary E. Clay.
| Franklin Black Births 1874 |
| Franklin Black Births 1875 |
| Franklin Black Births 1876 |
| Franklin Black Births 1878 |
Black Marriage Declarations - 1866-1898
Slave marriages had no legal standing. Between 1866 to 1898, the state allowed couples to come to the county courthouse to legalize their unions. These marriages were indexed by AAGGKY member, Mary E. Clay.
| Freedman Marriages |
Indentures of Apprenticeships - Negro Minors,
1866-1892
1866-1892
This discovery at the KY State Archives is the Indentures of Apprenticeships-Negro Minors - 1866-1892. The White owner of a business or farm was to teach the formerly enslaved young people a trade until they are 21 years old. At the end of the indenture, they were to give the young person a suit of clothes and $100 unless they were taught to read/write, then they were to get nothing. The wording of this document would indicate this practice was merely an extension of slavery. Many times the Bond Holder was the former enslaver. These records were indexed by AAGGKY member, Mary E. Clay.
| Indenture Example |
| Indentures |
African American Residents of Frankfort, Kentucky, 1914
From Caron's City Directory for Frankfort, Kentucky, 1914, these records will show people who were residents between the 1910 and 1920 censuses. This list was compiled and submitted by AAGGKY member Michael Denis, who is President of the Boyle County Genealogical Society and charter member of the Danville Boyle County African American Historical Society.
| Franklin Directory 1914 |
African American Residents of Frankfort, Kentucky, 1945
From Polk's City Directory for Frankfort, Kentucky, 1945, these records will show people who were residents between the 1940 and 1950 censuses (which won't become available until 2022). This list was compiled and submitted by AAGGKY member Michael Denis, who is President of the Boyle County Genealogical Society and charter member of the Danville Boyle County African American Historical Society.
From Polk's City Directory for Frankfort, Kentucky, 1945, these records will show people who were residents between the 1940 and 1950 censuses (which won't become available until 2022). This list was compiled and submitted by AAGGKY member Michael Denis, who is President of the Boyle County Genealogical Society and charter member of the Danville Boyle County African American Historical Society.
| Frankfort Directory 1945 |