Breckinridge County is located in north-central Kentucky along the Ohio River and is rich in early frontier, river, agricultural, and Civil War era history. Established in the late 18th century, the county has long served as a crossroads for migration, trade, and settlement in western Kentucky.
County Formation
- County Created: 9 December 1799
- Formed From: Hardin County
- County Seat: Hardinsburg
- Named For: John Breckinridge (Kentucky statesman and U.S. Attorney General)
Geographic Information
- Region: North-Central Kentucky
- Bordered By: Meade, Hardin, Grayson, Ohio, Hancock Counties & the Ohio River
- Major Waterways: Ohio River, Rough River, Clover Creek
- Total Area: Approx. 567 square miles
- Terrain: Rolling farmland, river bottoms, wooded hills
Population
- Population (1900): Approx. 18,000
- Population (1950): Approx. 21,000
- Population (Modern Estimate): Approx. 20,000
Historic Communities & Towns
- Hardinsburg (county seat)
- Cloverport
- Irvington
- Hudson
- Stephensport
- Garfield
- McQuady
Courthouse Records
Breckinridge County's courthouse is located in Hardinsburg and houses records essential for genealogy, including deeds, wills, probate files, marriage bonds, court minutes, and guardianships. The county has experienced record loss due to fires and deterioration, making substitute records such as tax lists, church registers, and newspapers especially important.
Key Record Types for Genealogy
- Vital records (birth, marriage, death)
- Census records (state & federal)
- Tax lists
- Land grants & deeds
- Probate, wills & guardianships
- Church & cemetery records
- Military service & pension files
- Newspapers & obituaries
Migration & Settlement Patterns
Early settlers of Breckinridge County commonly migrated from Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Many families settled along waterways and later followed migration routes into Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and further west.
Research Tips
- Always identify the parent county when researching before 1799.
- Check neighboring counties for records when families lived near county lines.
- Use tax lists to bridge gaps between census years.
- Search both Kentucky and Indiana records for river families.
- Breckinridge County Public Library
- 308 Old Hwy 60 Hardinsburg, KY 40143
- Phone: 270-756-2323
- Breckinridge County Historical Society
- 204 3rd St. P.O. Box 498, Hardinsburg, KY