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Cherokee County, Kansas
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Cherokee County, Kansas Facts
Cherokee County (originally named Mc Gee Co, renamed February 18, 1860) was established on August 25, 1855 (organized on August 03, 1866) as one of the original 36 counties. The county was named in honor of Cherokee Native Americans, whose lands borders the county in nearby Indian Territory.
What is the County Seat of Cherokee County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Columbus and the county government website is http://cherokeecountyks.com/
What counties are adjacent to Cherokee County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Crawford County, Jasper County, Missouri, Newton County, Missouri, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, Craig County, Oklahoma, Labette County.
What cities and towns are in Cherokee County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Badger, Baxter Springs, Big Elk, Carona, Columbus, Crestline, Galena, Hallowell, Lawton, Lowell, Melrose, Mineral, Neutral, Quaker, Riverton, Roseland, Scammon, Sherwin, Sims, Skidmore, Spring Grove, Stippville, Treece, Weir, West Mineral.
Cherokee County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Cherokee County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Cherokee County vital records can be found at the Kansas Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records from July 1, 1911; marriage records from May 1913 and divorce records from July 1951. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Kansas for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events.
You can search online for Cherokee County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Kansas Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Kansas Marriage Project
- Kansas, Births and Christenings, 1818-1936
- Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911
- Kansas, Marriages, 1840-1935
- Kansas Marriage Index, 1854-73
- Kansas, County Marriages, 1855-1911
- Kansas, Security Benefit Association, Death Index, 1902-1930
- Kansas, Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930
- Kansas, Fraternal Order Death Index, 1873-1969
- Kansas, Deaths and Burials, 1885-1930
Cherokee County, KS Census Records
What Cherokee County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Cherokee County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Cherokee Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cherokee Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cherokee Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890.
Another census resource is the Kansas State Census Collection from 1855-1925. You’ll find free down-loadable not to mention printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Kansas Census Records Research Guide
Cherokee County, KS Courthouse and Government Records

What genealogical records can I find in the Cherokee County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Cherokee County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Kansas Corthouse Records Research Guide.
PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research.
- Cherokee County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 110 W Maple St, Columbus, KS 66725; Phone Number: (620) 429-3880.
- Cherokee County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1894-1911, Marriage Records from 1867 and Death Records from 1894-1911. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Cherokee County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1869. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Cherokee County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1872 and Court Records from 1868. The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.
- BLM Land Records
Cherokee County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Cherokee County, KS?
A list of Cherokee County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Baxter Springs Historical Center and Museum, 740 East Avenue, P.O. Box 514, Baxter Springs, KS 66713; Phone: 620.856.2385
- Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Inc., 100 South Tennessee, Box 33, Columbus KS 66725-0033
- Search for Cherokee Co. records at the Kansas State Archives (kshs.org)
- Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka KS 66615-1099
- Kansas Genealogical Society, PO Box 103, 700 Avenue G and Vine Street, Dodge City, KS 67801
- Cherokee County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Cherokee County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
Where can I connect with other Cherokee County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Cherokee County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Cherokee County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some call for a fee. This is simply a directory which has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.
Cherokee Co. KS Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Kansas Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Kansas historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Kansas (1841–1981) (genealogybank.com)
- Cherokee County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Cherokee County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Cherokee Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Cherokee Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Cherokee County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Cherokee Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Cherokee County, Kansas
- Cherokee Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Cherokee County, Kansas
- Cherokee County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Cherokee Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Cherokee Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Cherokee County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens (search.ancestry.com)
- Cherokee County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Cherokee Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Cherokee County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Cherokee (cyndislist.com)
- Cherokee County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Cherokee County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Cherokee Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Cherokee County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Cherokee County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Cherokee Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Cherokee Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Cherokee County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Cherokee County Map (livgenmi.com)
Cherokee Co. KS Military Records
- Kansas Military Records Research Guide
- 1883 List of Pensioners on the Roll (skyways.lib.ks.us) Veterans or widows of veterans living in Cherokee Co. KS who have applied for a Pension
- Kansas Military Records (fold3.com) gives you access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Kansas both males and females that served. Perfect for Cherokee County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.