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Thomas 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
Thomas County, Kansas Facts
When was Thomas County, KS Created?
Thomas County was established on March 20, 1873 (organized on October 08, 1885) from Unorganized Territory. The county was named in honor of Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas (1816-1870), called the ‘Rock of Chickamauga’ for his defense of that Georgia city in 1863.
What is the County Seat of Thomas County, KS?
The County Seat is located in Colby and the county government website is http://www.thomascountyks.com/
What counties are adjacent to Thomas County, KS?
Bordering Counties are Rawlins County, Decatur County, Sheridan County, Gove County, Logan County, Sherman County.
What cities and towns are in Thomas County, KS?
Cities and towns located in the County include Colby, Brewster, Rexford, Gem, Menlo.
Thomas County, KS Vital Records
Where can find Thomas County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Thomas 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 Thomas 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
Thomas County, KS Census Records
What Thomas County, KS census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Thomas County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Thomas 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
Thomas County, KS Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Thomas County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Thomas 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.
- Thomas County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted) is located at 300 North Court Street, Colby, KS 67701-2421; Phone: (785) 460-4520.
- Thomas County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1889-1910, Marriage Records from 1886 and Death Records from 1889-1910. 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.
- Thomas County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1885. 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.
- Thomas County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1885 and Court Records from 1885. 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
Thomas County, KS Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Thomas County, KS?
A list of Thomas County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Kansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Thomas County Historical Society, 1905 S. Franklin, Colby, KS 67701; Phone: (785) 460-4590
- Search for Thomas 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 Thomas County, KS Researchers through message boards and forums?
- Kansas State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Kansas Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- Thomas County, Kansas Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Thomas County, Kansas Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Thomas County, KS?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Thomas 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.
Thomas 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)
- Thomas County, Kansas Books (amazon.com)
- Search Kansas Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Thomas County Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Thomas Co. KS Cemeteries & Church Records
- Kansas Cemetery Research Guide
- Thomas Co., Kansas Graves (findagrave.com)
- Thomas County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Thomas Co., Kansas Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Thomas County, Kansas
- Thomas Co., Kansas Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Kansas Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Thomas County, Kansas
- Thomas County, Kansas Church Books (amazon.com)
Thomas Co. KS Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Kansas Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
Thomas Co. KS General and History Websites
- See Also State History for Kansas
- Thomas County, Kansas Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Thomas County, Kansas Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Thomas Co. KS Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Thomas County, Kansas (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Kansas – Counties – Thomas (cyndislist.com)
- Thomas County Kansas (genealogytrails.com)
- Thomas County – Kansas Historical Society Biography (kshs.org)
- Thomas Co. KSGenweb (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Thomas County, Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history (skyways.lib.ks.us)
- Thomas County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Thomas Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Thomas Co. KS Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Kansas Links and Information
- Thomas County D.O.T. MAP (ksdot.org)
- 1895 Thomas County Map (livgenmi.com)
Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.