Courthouse disasters
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives lists courthouse fires or other disasters here in 1914, 1918, 1944, 1976. A disaster doesn't always mean the records were lost: compare the years below for gaps, and ask KDLA what survives.
If records are missing, try the parent county, state records such as tax lists and land grants, church records and newspapers. See Burned Counties.
Records that survive
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) keeps microfilm of every county's records. These are the years its inventory lists for Bell County's most-used records. Gaps are common, and the full microfilm guide lists every roll.
Most-used records on microfilm
- Marriages1867-2014
- Deeds1867-2015
- Will books1869-2014
- County court order books1867-1979
- Civil cases1876-1984
- Criminal cases(1876?) 1920-1960
- Birth and death registerssome years, 1852–1910
Search KDLA's full microfilm guide
Source: KDLA County Records Inventory. Counties registered births and deaths only in scattered years between 1852 and 1910; statewide registration began in 1911.
Where to find the records
- Find Bell County's official website
We haven't checked this county's website yet, so this opens a web search. Look for an address ending in .gov, then find the county clerk's office and the circuit court clerk's office.
- The county clerk's office
Kentucky county clerks record deeds, issue marriage licenses and record wills. Many offices hold their books from the county's beginning, unless they were lost in a courthouse disaster.
- The circuit court clerk's office
Civil and criminal case files. Many older case files have been transferred to KDLA in Frankfort.
- KDLA Microfilm Guidefree
Every roll of county records held at the Kentucky State Archives in Frankfort, searchable by county, office, record type and date.
- KDLA: County Courthouse Disasters in Kentuckyfree
The years of known courthouse fires and other disasters for every county.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Kentucky, Bell" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: Harlan County, Knox County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Harlan County, Knox County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1867, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Kentucky's county court order books cover far more than lawsuits: they appoint guardians and road overseers, settle estates and record much of a county's daily business. Read them year by year for your ancestor's name.