Bourbon County Kentucky Death Index - Paris Historic Records
Bourbon County is one of Kentucky's original counties established in 1785. The county is located in the heart of the Bluegrass region. Paris serves as the county seat and is famous for its thoroughbred horse farms. The area has rich genealogical resources despite the loss of 1790 and 1800 census records. The Bourbon County Genealogical Society actively preserves and indexes historical materials. The Kentucky Death Index provides comprehensive coverage from 1911 forward.
Bourbon County Quick Facts
Where to Find Bourbon County Death Records
The Bourbon County Clerk's office is located at 301 Main Street in Paris. Cynthia S. Wilson serves as County Clerk. The office can be reached at 859-987-2142. The eCCLIX system provides online records access.
Bourbon County's status as an original county means extensive historical records. Court documents date to the 1780s. Deed books contain land transactions from the earliest settlement. Will books preserve family relationships from Kentucky's founding period.
Death certificates are issued exclusively by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Their Frankfort office is the only source for certified copies. Bourbon County offices cannot provide death certificates directly.
| Office | Bourbon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Cynthia S. Wilson |
| Address | 301 Main Street Paris, KY 40361 |
| Phone | (859) 987-2142 |
| Online Records | eCCLIX System |
How to Request Death Certificates in Bourbon County
Kentucky makes death certificates available to anyone who requests them. No relationship to the deceased is necessary. This open access policy supports genealogical research. All requests must go through the state Office of Vital Statistics.
VitalChek online ordering provides the fastest service. Visit vitalchek.com to place an order anytime. Processing takes four to five business days. Credit card payment is required.
Mail requests require form VS-31. Send to Office of Vital Statistics, 275 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Include payment by check or money order. Allow up to 30 working days for processing.
Walk-in service at the Frankfort office offers same-day copies. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Valid photo identification is required. Payment methods include cash, check, or money order.
Bourbon County Death Index Information
The Bourbon County Death Index covers all deaths from 1911 to the present. Statewide registration began that year under Kentucky law. The Office of Vital Statistics maintains these records permanently. Records become fully public after 50 years.
Bourbon County researchers face a unique challenge. The 1790 and 1800 federal census records were lost. This creates a gap in early documentation. However, other records help fill this void. Court records, tax lists, and deed books survive from this period.
The Bluegrass region attracted wealthy settlers from Virginia. Many established horse farms and plantations. Bourbon County became known for bourbon whiskey production. Death records document these prominent families.
The eCCLIX system provides convenient online records access. Visit ecclix.com to search deeds and mortgages. Free accounts allow five daily searches for residents. This complements the county's extensive historical collections.
Genealogical Society and Research Resources
The Bourbon County Genealogical Society offers specialized assistance. Contact them at P.O. Box 951 in Paris. Members have created indexes and finding aids. Their knowledge supplements official county records.
The Paris-Bourbon County Library supports researchers. Local history collections include family files and newspapers. Staff can assist with accessing online databases. Free Ancestry Library Edition is available.
FamilySearch.org offers free online access to Kentucky records. Some Bourbon County materials have been digitized. Create a free account to search from home.
Neighboring counties include Bath, Clark, Fayette, Harrison, Montgomery, Nicholas, and Scott. Families frequently moved between these Bluegrass counties. Check records in adjacent areas for complete family history.
Doc Alert fraud protection is available to Bourbon County residents. Sign up at fraudalertme.com for free notifications. The system alerts you when documents are recorded in your name.