John Fox Jr. Library
The contents of the John Fox, Jr. Library can best be described as a wealth of vibrant, ever-changing genealogical and historical information. This wealth lies in the uniqueness and volume of the material available that is maintained through continuous appraisal and supplementation by the Library staff. The generous support received through book donations adds to this wealth.
Through the years the library has grown. Two more rooms, a second reading room and a periodical reading room were added as additions were made to the Duncan Tavern Historic Center over the years. The shelves hold an impressive collection of history and genealogy books. There are also vertical family files and numerous family histories in book form, as well as maps and county and state histories focusing on Bourbon County families and Revolutionary War patriots. Most Kentucky counties are represented in either vertical files or books. The collection also includes the complete set of KSDAR Genealogical Records Reports.
Library Hours
Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed for Lunch 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
By appointment: mid-December through April
Admission: $10.00
323 High Street
Paris, Kentucky 40361
859-987-1786
[email protected]
The Collection
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* Family Histories
Perhaps the largest collection of books contained in the Library, which are filed by family name.
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* State, County & Local Records
The early history of Kentucky including publications dating from the 1800s. Many Kentucky counties are represented in the County files. An extensive history of Bourbon County is available.
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* Colonial History & Records $32
All Colonial States are represented with more extensive holdings from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
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* Revolutionary War Soldiers & Patriots
Books and periodicals listed by states as Proof of Service in "Is that Service Right?" include the 51 volumes of J. F. Dorman's "VA Revolutionary War Pension Applications," 3 volumes of "VA Revolutionary Publick Claims," White's "Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files," selected volumes of the "Pennsylvania Archives" and "Archives of Maryland," Harding's "George Rogers Clark and His Men," Pierce's Register," and many, many more.
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* Lineage Societies
DAR and complete KYGRC volumes, SAR, Founders and Patriots, National Huguenots of Manakintown, Pilgrims, Society of Colonial Wars, Descendants of Early Quakers, Bench & Bar, Colonial Clergy, and others.
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* Early Churches
Publications from various Colonial church denominations
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* Periodical Room
Includes DAR publications, KY Historical Society "Register," Filson History Society "Quarterly," National Genealogical Society Quarterly and Newsletter, "VA Genealogist." Also in the Periodical Room are the surname files of Mary Anne Stokes, Duncan Stokes, and the Heraldry Files of Helen Hadden containing many family names.
In addition to the bound volumes, the following reference material is available in the Library.
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* Maps
Early maps from surrounding areas to include the earliest Bourbon County map.
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* Family History Folders & Bibles
A substantial number of family names are represented, and a myriad of family history is available. Contents of folders include newspaper articles, obituaries, Bible records, and other genealogy records donated by families. Files are continuously supplemented as information is received.
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* County Folders
Information pertaining to Kentucky counties that is not specific to family name. Files also contain information regarding historical sites such as Ruddle's Mill, Bryan's Station, Strode's Station, Battle of Blue Licks, and many others.
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* Census Records
Early Kentucky census records plus certain County census records in the County Files.
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* Cemetary Records
Includes a number of Kentucky cemeteries and burial location for many Revolutionary War soldiers.
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* Microfilm
Bourbon County Tax Lists, 1786-186? and the 1850 Census of Kentucky by county.
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* CDs
1880 Census of the United States, family history, and genealogy.
* Vertical Files
*The Illustrated Historical Map of Bourbon County by Alice Rogers Clay Roseberry Blanton, copyright 1934
*A Booklet on John Fox, Jr. by Bettie Tuttle
*Beers’ Map of Bourbon County, 1877
*Complete set of Dorman’s Virginia Pensions
- Battle of Blue Licks
- Bourbon Agricultural Soc.
- Bourbon County
- Bourbon County Courthouse
- Bryan’s Station
- Cane Ridge Meeting House
- Church Histories
- City of Paris
- DAR Publications
- Duncan Tavern
- Hinkston Station
- Historical Magazines
- Hopewell Spring
- Kentucky County Histories
- Kentucky Patriot Indices
- Logan’s Fort
- McConnell Station
- Millersburg
- Monterey
- North Middletown
- Orange County VA Records
- Pension Records
- Pennsylvania Archives
- Private Graveyards Ruddell’s Fort
- Scrapbooks
- Shawhan
- Kentucky Histories…
and many more.
Prominent Surnames
Adair
Boone / Buckner / Burns / Bush
Clay / Crawford / Cutwright
David / Dawson / Duncan
Grimes / Garrard
Hawes / Hedges / Hinkson / Hinkston / Hopkins / Hornbeck / Houston
Ingles
Kenney
Lai
McClanahan
McDaniel / McDonald
Owsley Rogers / Ruddell
Col. James Smith
Shropshire / Sparks / Spears / Stoner / Shryock
Talbot(t)
Waller
Woodford
and many more…
New Material
- Oldham Co., KY Deed Books B and C (1829-1856) *From Donna Stark Thompson
- Woodford Co., KY Marriages, 1860-1902, Vol 3
- Woodford Co., KY Census, 1860, 1870, 1900, 1920
- Woodford Co., KY Will Book Abstract-three volumes, from 1789-1854 * Woodford Co. records are memorial gifts from Margaret Shropshire, Gen. Marquis Calmes Chapter.
- History of Historic Old Cedar Baptist Church and Community, 1816-2004
- Looking Back, Our Smith Family History
- The Power Line and Connections, 9 Generations in America. Saga of the Haydon Family and Allied Lines * From Mary Alice Karsner Murphy, Susannah Hart Shelby Chapter.