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Douglas 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

Douglas County, Kansas Facts

When was Douglas County, KS Created?
Douglas County was established on ?August 25, 1855 (organized on September 24, 1855) as one of the original 36 counties. The county was named in honor of Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813-1861), U.S. Senator from Illinois and advocate for the moderate popular sovereignty choice in the Kansas slavery debate.

What is the County Seat of Douglas County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Lawrence and the county government website is http://www.douglas-county.com

What counties are adjacent to Douglas County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Jefferson County, Leavenworth County, Johnson County, Miami County, Franklin County, Osage County, Shawnee County.

What cities and towns are in Douglas County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Baldwin City, Eudora, Lawrence, Lecompton.

Douglas County, KS Vital Records

Where can find Douglas County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Douglas 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 Douglas 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.

Douglas County, KS Census Records


What Douglas County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Douglas 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.

Douglas Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Douglas Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Douglas 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

Douglas County, KS Courthouse and Government Records

Douglas County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Douglas County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Douglas 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. Records destroyed 21 August 1863 in Quantrill’s raid. Some marriage records reconstructed.

  • Douglas County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 1100 Massachusetts Street, Suite 200, Lawrence, KS 66044-3064.
  • Douglas County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1885-1907, Marriage Records from 1863 and Death Records from 1885-97. 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.
  • Douglas County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1856. 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.
  • Douglas County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1856 and Court Records from 1863. 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

Douglas County, KS Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Douglas County, KS?
A list of Douglas County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Douglas County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Douglas County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Douglas 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.

Douglas Co. KS Books, Newspapers & Publications

Douglas Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records

Douglas Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Douglas Co. KS General and History Websites

Douglas Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Douglas Co. KS Military Records