
KS RESOURCES
STATE QUICKLINKS
OTHER GENEALOGY RESOURCES
SPONSORS
Kearny 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
Kearny County, Kansas Facts
When was Kearny County, KS Created?
Kearny County was established on March 20, 1873 (organized on March 27, 1888) from Peketon Territory. The County was abolished in 1883. In 1887 the County was reorganized from Hamilton County and Finney County. The county was named in honor of Gen. Philip Kearny (1815-1862), American general in the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. He was killed instantly when he accidentally rode into the enemy lines during the Battle of Chantilly, Sep 1,1862.
What is the County Seat of Kearny County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Lakin and the county government website is http://www.kearnycountykansas.com/
What counties are adjacent to Kearny County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Wichita County, Scott County, Finney County, Haskell County, Grant County, Stanton County, Hamilton County.
What cities and towns are in Kearny County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Deerfield, Lakin.
Kearny County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Kearny County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Kearny 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 Kearny 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
Kearny County, KS Census Records
What Kearny County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Kearny County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Kearny Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1880. Kearny Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1880. Kearny 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
Kearny County, KS Courthouse and Government Records

What genealogical records can I find in the Kearny County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Kearny 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.
- Kearny County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 305 North Main Street, PO Box 86, Lakin, KS 67860-0086; Phone: (620) 355-6422.
- Kearny County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1888, Marriage Records from 1888 and Death Records from 1888. 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.
- Kearny County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1888. Phone 620-355-6241 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.
- Kearny County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1888 and Court Records from 1888. 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
Kearny County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Kearny County, KS?
A list of Kearny County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Kearny County Historical Society, 111 South Buffalo St., Lakin, KS 67860
- Search for Kearny 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 Kearny County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Kearny County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Kearny County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Kearny County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Kearny 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.
Kearny 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)
- Kearny County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Kearny County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Kearny Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Kearny Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Kearny County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Kearny Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Kearny County, Kansas
- Kearny Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Kearny County, Kansas
- Kearny County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Kearny Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Kearny Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Kearny County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Kearny County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Kearny Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Kearny County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Kearny (cyndislist.com)
- Kearny County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Kearny County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Kearny Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Kearny County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Kearny County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Kearny Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Kearny Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Kearny County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Kearny County Map (livgenmi.com)
Kearny 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 Kearny 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 Kearny County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.