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Franklin 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
Franklin County, Kansas Facts
When was Franklin County, KS Created?
Franklin County was established on August 25, 1855 as one of the original 36 counties. The county was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), orator, writer, scholar, and founding father of the U.S.
What is the County Seat of Franklin County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Ottawa and the county government website is http://www.franklincoks.org/
What counties are adjacent to Franklin County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Douglas County, Johnson County, Miami County, Linn County, Anderson County, Coffey County, Osage County.
What cities and towns are in Franklin County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Lane, Ottawa, Pomona, Princeton, Rantoul, Richmond, Wellsville, Williamsburg.
Franklin County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Franklin County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Franklin 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 Franklin 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
Franklin County, KS Census Records
What Franklin County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Franklin 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.
Franklin Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Franklin Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Franklin 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
Franklin County, KS Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Franklin County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Franklin 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.
- Franklin County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 315 S Main, Ottawa, KS 66067-2331; Phone: (785) 229-3410.
- Franklin County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1892-1910, Marriage Records from 1858 and Death Records from 1892-1911. 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.
- Franklin County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1857. 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.
- Franklin County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1856 and Court Records from 1859. 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
Franklin County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Franklin County, KS?
A list of Franklin County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Franklin County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 353, Ottawa, KS 66067
- Franklin County Historical Society, P.O. Box 145, Ottawa KS 66067; phone: 785.242.1232
- Search for Franklin 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
Where can I connect with other Franklin County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Franklin County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Franklin County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Franklin County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Franklin 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.
Franklin 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)
- Franklin County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Franklin County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Franklin Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Franklin Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Franklin County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Franklin Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Franklin County, Kansas
- Franklin Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Franklin County, Kansas
- Franklin County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Franklin Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Franklin Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Franklin County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Leavenworth, Franklin and Douglas Counties, Kansas Name Index, 1900 (search.ancestry.com)
- Franklin County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Franklin Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Franklin County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Franklin (cyndislist.com)
- Franklin County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Franklin County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Franklin Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Franklin County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Franklin County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Franklin Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Franklin Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Franklin County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Franklin County Map (livgenmi.com)
Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.