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Shawnee 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
Shawnee County, Kansas Facts
When was Shawnee County, KS Created?
Shawnee County was established on August 25, 1855 as one of the original 36 counties. The county was named for the Shawnee Native Americans, who lived in the area.
What is the County Seat of Shawnee County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Topeka and the county government website is http://www.snco.us
What counties are adjacent to Shawnee County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Jackson County, Jefferson County (north and east), Douglas County, Osage County, Wabaunsee County, Pottawatomie County.
What cities and towns are in Shawnee County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Topeka, Silver Lake, Auburn, Rossville, Willard.
Shawnee County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Shawnee County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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
Shawnee County, KS Census Records
What Shawnee County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Shawnee 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.
Shawnee Co. Mortality Schedules is available for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Shawnee Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be acquired for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Shawnee 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
Shawnee County, KS Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Shawnee County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Shawnee County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Kansas Courthouse 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.
- Shawnee County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 200 SE Seventh, Topeka, KS 66603; Phone: (785)233-8200.
- Shawnee County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1894-1910, Marriage Records from 1856 and Death Records from 1894-1910. 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.
- Shawnee County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1859. 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.
- Shawnee County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1855 and Court Records from 1858. 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
Shawnee County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Shawnee County, KS?
A list of Shawnee County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Shawnee County Historical Society, 1118 SE Madison St, Topeka, KS 66607; Phone:(785) 234-6097
- Shawnee Historical Society, P.O. Box 3042, Shawnee KS 66203
- Topeka Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 4048, Topeka, KS 66604-0048; Telephone (785) 233-5762
- Search for Shawnee 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 Shawnee County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community
- Shawnee County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Shawnee County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Shawnee County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Shawnee 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.
Shawnee 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)
- Shawnee County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Shawnee County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Shawnee Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Shawnee Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Shawnee County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Shawnee Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Shawnee County, Kansas
- Shawnee Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- With Christ in Kansas : a history of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka Kansas, 1859 to 1934 / George William Allison … (search.ancestry.com)
- Topographic Church List and Map for Shawnee County, Kansas
- Shawnee County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Shawnee Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Shawnee Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Shawnee County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens (search.ancestry.com)
- Shawnee County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Shawnee Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Shawnee County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Shawnee (cyndislist.com)
- Shawnee County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Shawnee County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Shawnee Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Shawnee County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Shawnee County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Shawnee Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Shawnee Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Shawnee County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Shawnee County Map (livgenmi.com)
Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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 Shawnee County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.