February 19, 2022 11:20 AM

Pages 288-290
Whole Number 21

RECORD OF BIRTHS IN KENTUCKY, 1852-1862

Compiled by Paul E. Sparks


In 1852 the Kentucky legislature enacted a law to provide for the registration of all births, deaths, and marriages in Kentucky. The task fell upon the county assessors, who were required to prepare a yearly list of these events. For this job, the assessor was paid two cents for each name. The law made it obligatory for all clergymen, physicians, surgeons, and midwives to report names for registration. Slaves were registered in the name of the owner.

A printed record of the second report has been preserved and is in the possession of The Filson Club, Louisville, Kentucky. It is entitled: The Second Annual Report to the General Assembly of Kentucky Relating to the Registry and Return of Births, Marriages, and Deaths from January 1, 1853 to December 31, 1854. W. G. Sutton, who prepared the report, complained of the incompleteness of the data, for apparently several counties had sent not only incomplete data, but, in some cases, no data at all. He recommended that the assessor's fee be increased to five cents per name.

Unfortunately, the registration was discontinued in 1862 because of the internal political strife which had hit Kentucky (and the nation as well) and because of insufficient funds to pay the assessors for performing the tedious task. The loss, from a genealogical point of view, was incalculable. A record of a birth, for example, gave the infant's name, the father's name, the mother's name, and, in some cases, the place of birth within the county.

Some counties continued to register these vital events after 1862, although we have no way of knowing whether the records are complete or accurate. The earlier records, however, accumulated dust in the respective courthouses until 1920 when the Kentucky Historical Society began to salvage them. An index of births and deaths was completed during the 1930's, and the index of marriages was completed within the past few years. The index is typewritten on 3 x 5 cards and is arranged by counties. The following records of births were taken from these index cards, not from the original lists.


(born at Old Town Creek)
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
ADAIR COUNTY
female7 Aug. 1877John Sparks----- Collins
female9 Apr. 1877John Sparks----- Collins
female27 June 1855J. A. SparksHarriett Powell
Ada Larue2 Mar. 1877Adair Sparks --- Dooley
David Jackson2 Feb. 1855J. R. Sparks Precella Ruse
Emely E.-- Sep. 1857J. A. Sparks Harriett Powell
Eliza Norman11 Mar. 1853Waller Sparks Lucinda Gibson
Jas. H.23 Sep. 1861Geo. W. Sparks J. L. Flowers
Jefferson D.9 July 1861Josiah SparksMalinda Sherley
Jeremiah--Apr. 1894S. D. SparksLou England
Jo. K. -- Feb. 1894Chas. SparksLaura Akin
Leona 25 Nov 1855W. W. SparksLouisa Gibson
Millard28 Feb. 1858Josiah SparksMalinda Shirley
Myrtte12 Dec. 1894Chas. SparksHarriett Gill
Nepolian B.9 May 1856Jeremiah Jane Janes
Nancy Jane13 Jan. 1855Jas. SparksE. A. Dooly
Rachel1 Nov. 1861Jerry SparksSusanna Dooley
William9 June 1859James R. SparksGracey Jones
William--Apr. 1858William W. SparksLucinda Gilson
ALLEN COUNTY
Delina F.18 Mar. 1861Isham SparksSarah c. Prewitt
BARREN COUNTY
male (no name)12 Oct. 1853Stephen SparksElizabeth Levi
BOONE COUNTY
Elizabeth 15 Oct. 1855William SparksMary Vincent
Terrissa16 May 1852William SparksTerrissa Hennings
BOURBON COUNTY
James G.26 Oct. 1856Wm. B. SparksFrances Breckenridge
BOYD COUNTY
Edna13 July 1904N. S. SparksMary Thompson
J. H.17 Aug. 1904Ferdinand SparksFNU Horn
CALLOWAY COUNTY
Elizabeth 10 Oct. 1856 William F. Sparks Rebecca Thorton
Lytha Allis (female) 19 Jan. 1854 R. J. Sparks Minerva Woodall
Minerva Ann 6 Sep. 1856 B. J. Sparks Minerva Woodall
Sarah A. 25 July 1852 W. T. Sparks Sarah Bailey
William L. 5 Sep. 1858 Burrell J. Sparks Mary J. Chandler
CARTER COUNTY
(unnamed) 9 Apr. 1862Nelson SparksMargaret Mauk
Eli -- Oct. 1853 Isaac Sparks Nancy Jones
Eliza J. 22 Jan. 1857 Nelson Sparks Margaret Mauk
Isabel 1 Sep. 1858 Eli Sparks Rebecca Rice
James 18 Nov. 1855 Hugh Sparks Nancy Curnett
Jane F. 31 May 1858 John Sparks, Loucinda Wagoner
Jesse A. twins 8 Feb. 1855 Thomas Sparks Dianna Sparks
Sarah J.8 Feb. 1855Thomas Sparks Dianna Sparks
John M. 5 Sept 1855 Isaac Sparks, Jr. Sally Faulkner
Levi 2 June 1855 Nelson Sparks Margaret Mauk
Lewis C. 16 Nov. 1856 Solomon Sparks Helen Burchfield
Martha F. 25 Dec. 1859 Nelson Sparks Margaret Mauk
Mary Ann (b. Big Stinking Creek)30 May 1852 Jesse Sparks Sarah Faulkner
Moses 18 Dec. 1855 Isaac Sparks Nancy Jones
Nancy J. 20 Apr. 1855 Daniel Sparks Elizabeth Sparks
Rachel 1 Sep. 1861 John Sparks Almeda Green
Richard P. (b. Big Stinking Creek) 6 July 1852 John Sparks Almeda Green
Richard P. 27 Mar. 1857 Thomas Sparks Dianna Sparks
Robert 3 Apr. 1857 Daniel Sparks Elizabeth Sparks
Sabee ah K. 9 June 1855  Ada Sparks
Sarah24 June 1857Solomon SparksHelen Burchfield
William Henderson 5 June 1861 Thomas Sparks Diana Sparks
CLAY COUNTY
Riley 14 May 1852 FNU Sparks Rhoda. Miracle
DAVIESS COUNTY
A. F. -- June 1861 R. F. Sparks Sarah J. Lanham
ELLIOTT COUNTY
Addie Biola26 Aug. 19016 May 1901H. Sparks
Birch Sparks Loulie HolbrookMary Hicks


Page 330-334
Whole Number 23

RECORD OF BIRTHS IN KENTUCKY, 1852-1862

(Continued from Vol. VI, No. 1, Whole No. 21, page 290


Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
ESTILL COUNTY
Cynthia A. SparksJanuary 9, 185644.6.7 John G. SparksMary T. Murphy
Henry D. Sparks7 October 1856Daniel C. SparksLaura Carter
John Francis Sparks (born at Woodwards Creek)4 October 1852William SparksSusan Bowney
    
John S. Sparks-- --- 1858William SparksLucy Rawlins
Lurvie Sparks27 March 1858Samuel SparksMiss Bowney
Mary Jane Sparks29 June 1855----- -----Susan Bouney
Nancy SparksJuly 11, 1852Daniel SparksLavina Carter
Polly Ann Sparks18 September. 1857William SparksLucy Ann Rawlins
Samuel J. Sparks1 June 1858William SparksFNU -----
Sarah A. Sparks4 June 1856Joseph SparksMatilda Barnes
Sarah Catherine Sparks (born at Woodwards Creek)-- ---- ----Samuel SparksLetty Bomaly
Susan R. Sparks4 October 1858Joseph C. SparksMiss Barnes
William Sparks10 June 1858Levi SparksSyntha Ann Flynn
FAYETTE COUNTY
Lucy Sparks15 February 1858William SparksMary M. Hillock
FLOYD COUNTY
Malcom Sparks10 May 1904W. H. SparksKatie Green
Stella Sparks13 May 1904Eli SparksIzonia Richardson
GREENUP COUNTY
Leander SparksJanuary 6, 1855William SparksFNU Burke
HARRISON COUNTY
Charles Sparks20 December 1856John SparksJane Bramel
7.2.10.11 Elias Sparks5 October 1854Silas SparksIsabella Givens
Harriett Sparks2 July 1857William SparksEliza Taylor
Mary F. Sparks9 September. 1858John SparksJane Bramel
Nancy E. Sparks30 April 1859George SparksLucy Duncan
7.2.10.10 Netitia Bell Sparks15 November 1852Silas H. SparksIsabella Givens
7.2.10.12 William SparksJanuary 5, 1857Silas H. SparksIsabella Givens
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
HENDERSON COUNTY
Albert Sparks15 November 1853Samuel SparksJulia Anderson
Martha J. Sparks1 October 1856P.1 Noah SparksLucinda Newton
S. E. Sparks15 November 1853Richard SparksSarah Crowlel
HENRY COUNTY
George Sparks25 May 1856W. M. SparksM. E. List
Lucy Sparks25 June 1855Wm. M. SparksMary Leist
HOPKINS COUNTY
Juley Sparks14 December 1858Richard SparksSarah S. Croley
JACKSON COUNTY
Bulina Sparks3 October 1858Barnett SparksMary Muck (Mauk?)
Elihu Sparks15 April 1859John SparksMary Jane Murphy
Mary T. Sparks10 May 1858Daniel C. SparksSevina Carter
Mertle SparksJanuary 5, 1904D. C. SparksMary E. Hatfield
Sarah Sparks17 July 1901Jas. SparksMary E. Hatfield
S. E. Sparks14 December 1904Jeff SparksElizabeth Morris
W. T. Sparks28 August 1904Merrel SparksRachel Harrison
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
(unnamed) Sparks1 August 1859Robert SparksMary Wood
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Albert Sparks22 March 1856Western SparksEliza Welch
Blanche Sparks18 October 1857Ben SparksCelia Norman
(born in Louisville)   
Eliza J. Sparks18 June 1854John SparksAmanda Drake
Julia Sparks4 March 1859R. W. SparksEliza Welch
Louisa Sparks8 April 1856Wm. H. SparksEliza M. Pellici
Martha SparksJanuary 29, 1856Tinsley SparksSusan K. Humble
Mary A. Sparks6 August 1857Tinsley SparksPercil C. Bullitt
(born in Louisville)   
Myra Sparks16 December 1853Richard W. SparksEliza Ellen Welch
Silius Sparks (female)9 April 1854Joseph SparksAsinette Shafer
Wesley (born in Louisville)19 March 1857Wesley SparksEliza Welch
(unnamed male) Sparks9 July 1854Daniel S. SparksJane Churchman
(unnamed male) Sparks (born in Louisville)12 March 1904Walter Sparks Maggie Veil
(unnamed male) Sparks (born in Louisville)23 December 1903W. L. SparksS. E. England
(unnamed male) Sparks (born in Louisville)16 April 1901W. S. SparksSarah E. England
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
JESSAMINE COUNTY
Carrie M. Sparks10 December 1877Moreau SparksElizabeth Clemmons
Ellen Sparks11 August 1854Isaac SparksM. A. Hendricks
Ida Florence Sparks17 July 1859Jas. SparksNannie J. Lawlep
George Sparks8 October 1852Jarome sparksMary Jane Patterson
JOHNSON COUNTY
Alexander Sparks10 September. 1852Elisha SparksSusan Pridemore
Andrew Sparks10 October 1852Mathew SparksAlsy Osburn
Anjeline Sparks19 June 1859Martin SparksHanna Adkins
Benjamin Sparks2 October 1856Elisha SparksSusannah Pridemore
Dicey A. SparksJanuary 27, 1859Henry SparksMary Conley
Elijah Sparks26 May 1852Elijah SparksSarah Evans
James J. Sparks20 October 1861William SparksMartha Salyer
Katherine Sparks8 May 1852Nicholas SparksFNU -----
Lavitha Sparks23 May 1854Nicholas SparksDorcas Ross
Mahala Sparks29 May 1859Elisha SparksSusan Pridmore
Mary A. Sparks6 April 1856Nicholas SparksDorcas Ross
Mary J. Sparks22 October 1859Mathew SparksAlsy Osburn
Nancy Eveline Sparks26 October 1856William SparksLouisa Blevens
Rhoda M. Sparks28 May 1861Elisha SparksSusannah Pridmore
Sarah Sparks5 March 1858Nicholas SparksDorcas Ross
Silvanna SparksApril 11, 1861Nicholas SparksDorcas Ross
Wm. H. Sparks17 December 1858William SparksLouisa Blevens
Wm. L. Sparks21 June 1855Mathew SparksAlsy Osburn
(unnamed) Sparks4 February 1855Elisha SparksSusannah P. Moore
KENTON COUNTY
(unnamed female) SparksJanuary 26,1907Taylor SparksAnna Welch
LAUREL COUNTY
Burt Sparks2 June 1856Calvin SparksEsther Green
James Sparks17 February 1852Calvin SparksEsther Green
Jno. M. Sparks1 October 1853Calvin SparksEsther Green
Million Sparks8 September. 1857William F. SparksEliza Goins
(unnamed male) Sparks3 September. 1904James SparksEmma Hugis
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
LAWRENCE COUNTY
Alafair Sparks14 April 1860Thomas SparksMargaret Johnson
Elbert Sparks (both above born at Little Fork)4 August 1857Alford SparksPolly Ann Green
    
Elizabeth Sparks (born at Hoods Fork)21 September 1852Daniel SparksJane Jones
    
Elizabeth Sparks (born at Blaine Creek)29 December 1855John SparksMary Hay
    
Elizabeth Sparks (born at Blaine Creek)28 May 1855Samuel SparksNancy Skaggs
    
Garred Sparks15 April 1854Garred SparksElizabeth Boggs
Hugh Sparks23 April 1856Wesley SparksNan Cassell
Jas B.  Sparks  (born at head of Blaine Creek)15 March 1857Jno. L. SparksMary Hay
    
Jas. M. Sparks14 April 1855Mathew SparksHannah Adkins
Jno. M. Sparks10 March 1856Wiley SparksCynthia Holbrook
1.2.5.1.2.1.1.3.1 Laban Sparks29 November 1860Levi SparksMary Gambill
Levi Sparks17 March 1854John SparksMary Hay
Lewis Sparks (born at Rove Creek)28 August 1857Samuel SparksNancy Skaggs
Mary E. Sparks18 May 1853Hugh SparksNancy Carnutt
Milburn Sparks (born at Big Sandy)15 July 1859Jno. S. SparksMary Hay
Nancy J. Sparks15 September. 1853Samuel SparksNancy Skaggs
Rena Sparks (born at Little Fork)5 August 1860Wesley SparksNancy Kasee Kozee
Reuben SparksJanuary 29, 1853Mathew SparksHannah Adkins
Sarah Sparks3 October 1853John SparksAlmida Green
Sarah Sparks25 February 1853John SparksMary Hay
Serilda Sparks (born at Blaine Creek)26 February 1862John SparksFuridiels Francis
Susan Sparks (b. at Little Fork)20 February 1859John SparksAlmeda Green
William Sparks1 May 1853Wesly SparksNancy Kisee Kozee
Wm. M. Sparks (b. at Big Blaine Creek)13 August 1860Wiley SparksSynthia Holbrook


Page 347-349
Whole Number 24

RECORD OF BIRTHS IN KENTUCKY, 1852-1862

(Continued from Vol. VI, No. 3, Whole No. 23, page 333)
Compiled by Paul E. Sparks


Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
LETCHER COUNTY
Lizzie Sparks12 February 1907Riley SparksFrances Holbrook
LEWIS COUNTY
Amanda Sparks20 Jan1859Wm. SparksSian Gilbert
Caroline Sparks15 September.1859Joseph SparksLouisa I. Coons
David C. Sparks20 April1859Melville SparksSarah A. Robb
Louisa Sparks18 June1855Wrn. Sparks——— Gilbert
John E. SparksJanuary 20, 1877T. J. SparksEliz. Berry
John W. Sparks29 July 1877John W. SpanksEliz. Messer
(unnamed female) Sparks16 Dec1852I. SparksAnn Sparks
MARSHALL COUNTY
P. A. Sparks (male)26 September. 1904Lennis SparksIda L. Karnes
McCRACKEN COUNTY
Sarow Frances Sparks26 September. 1852Samuel SparksJuly Ann Anderson
MERCER COUNTY
Mary E. Sparks-- February 1858James B. SparksHarriett Johnson
MORGAN COUNTY
James Hany Sparks11 May 1858John SparksMay Lykins
John Milton Sparks (born at Caney Creek)25 February 1855Jesse SparksSarah Sparks
Nancy Sparks-- ---- 1855John SparksMary -----
Mary Jane Sparks11 May 1856John SparksMary Lykins
Thomas Sparks (born at Elk Fork)26 August 1853John A. SparksMary Lykins
MUHLENBERG COUNTY
C. B. Sparks14 March 1857Jas. SparksM. A. Tankle
Jno. E. SparksJanuary 4, 1859James R. SparksMarget Tinkle
Mary Sparks6 September. 1907Maynard SparksLelia Hardison
Mary J. Sparks15 September. 1861W. SparksNancy E. Huhler
Reva A.  Sparks23 July 1906H. L. SparksVerda M. Harrison
(unnamed male) Sparks15 March 1858William SparksSusan Overhulie
(unnamed female) Sparks23 July 1907Harvey SparksSusan Overhulie
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
NICHOLAS COUNTY
Benjamin Throop Sparks10 December 1855John Franklin SparksCyntha Bradshaw
Charles Sparks9 August 1855Otho SparksSarah Jane Smith
John J. Sparks3 November 1857John F. SmithCyntha Bradshaw
Lucy Ellen Sparks3 November 1855Charles SparksMary Ann Barnett
Melvina Sparks7 December 1877Granville SparksSallie Gifford
Sarah Eliz. Sparks7 August 1855Samuel SparksAbby H. McVey
Thos. Franklin Sparks23 July 1855James SparksEliz. Redmon
OHIO COUNTY
Vernon SparksJanuary 22, 1907Ruben SparksLouisa James
OWEN COUNTY
Albert Sparks8 July 1852Henry SparksSarah Smither
M. F. Sparks10 December 1854A. J. SparksSally A. Eads
(unnamed) Sparks4 May 1856A. J. SparksSarah Ead
(unnamed) Sparks25 February 1858A. J. SparksE. Eads
OWSLEY COUNTY
Aaron C. Sparks25 November 1859John D. SparksPhebe Sparks
America Sparks(female) (born at Devils Creek)9 September. 1854Harvey D. SparksNancy Johnson
Andrew Sparks (born at Devils Creek)15 October 1852Tobias SparksDelina Sparks
Andrew Jackson Sparks (born at Devils Creek)30 October 1853Solomon SparksAngeline Roister
Charlotte Sparks (born at Devils Creek)13 June 1853William SparksMinerva Johnson
Daniel Sparks29 December 1859Sylvester SparksNancy Ashcraft
Ephriam Sparks1 June 1858William SparksMinerva Johnson
Felding Sparks(male)13 December 1859John J. SparksTamer Jane Tolson
George W. Sparks20 December 1854William SparksSarah Ann Muck
Isaac S. Sparks23 November 1857John J. SparksPhebe Showmaker
James Sparks30 April 1852H. D. SparksN. J. Sparks
James Sparks27 May 1852J. D. SparksPheba Sparks
John Sparks2 June 1854Robert SparksMary Wood
John W. Sparks13 September 1857William SparksSusan Tillson
Mary Sparks28 August 1855William SparksMinerva Johnson
Mary E. Sparks24 June 1855Tobias E. SparksDelilah Shoemaker
Robert Sparks8 April 1853Wm. SparksSarah Muck
Sarah Sparks3 February 1858Silvester SparksNancy Ashcraft
Tobias Sparks27 November 1855John D. SparksPhebe Shoemaker
William Sparks12 February 1852Robert SparksFNU -----
 
Infant's NameDateFather's NameMother's Name
PENDLETON COUNTY
Alfred Sparks3 July 1853James SparksMartha Patton
Allen Sparks14 October 1855Jonas SparksMartha Patton
Sandford SparksJuly 1, 1858Jonas SparksMartha Patton
PIKE COUNTY
Irtley Sparks16 July 1904Richard SparksMary Stanley
Martha Sparks18 April 1852Richard SparksMary June Johns
Victoria Sparks-- April 1894Cy SparksLouisa Charles
(unnamed male) Sparks-- ----- 1877Josiah SparksFNU Charles
PULASKI COUNTY
George C. Sparks14 August 1853Preston SparksMary Ely
SHELBY COUNTY
Isabel SparksMarch 31, 1857W. J. SparksEliza Terrell
SPENCER COUNTY
Alexander Sparks13 September. 1856Alexander SparksLouisa Antle
Charles F. SparksJanuary 13, 1853Alex. K. SparksLouisa Antle
Elnora Sparks28 December 1855Wm. SparksLucy E. Pierce
Nancy C. SparksJanuary 19, 1855Alex. SparksLouisa Antle
Thomas Sparks4 August 1861A. K. SparksLouisa Antell
TRIMBLE COUNTY
Andrew J. SparksJanuary 18, 1855Alexander SparksElizabeth Butler
George Ann Sparks (female)15 October 1855Isham SparksSarah C. Prewitt