John Fox Jr. Genealogical Library

JOHN FOX, JR GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY was named in honor of John Fox, Jr., one of Kentucky’s most famous authors, born right here in Bourbon County. The library is located on the ground floor of historic Duncan Tavern. Fox Library is a genealogical library focusing on assisting patrons with the research, discovery & documentation of their Revolutionary War ancestors.

THE CONTENTS OF THE JOHN FOX JR Genealogical Library can best be described as a wealth of vibrant, ever-changing genealogical & historical information. This wealth lies in the uniqueness and volume of the material available that is maintained through continuous appraisal & supplementation by the Library staff. The generous support received through book donations adds to this wealth.

THE LIBRARY IS HOST to an extensive collection of resources unique to Bourbon County & other Kentucky counties as well as nearby states, especially Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Arguably one of the most valuable assets to Fox Library, the family files, sent by researchers from all over the United States, sharing information about their Kentucky families.

THROUGH THE YEARS the library has grown. Two more rooms, a second reading room & 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 & genealogy books. There are also vertical family files & numerous family histories in book form, as well as maps and county & state histories focusing on Bourbon County families & 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.

FOX LIBRARY IS STAFFED solely by volunteers. Patrons can request research assistance via phone, email & mail correspondence and by visiting the library in person.

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

323 High Street
Paris, Kentucky 40361
859-987-1786
[email protected]

Online Catalog Link
Book Donation Form
Research Request Form
The Collection
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.
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…

Bound Publications
Early Churches
Early Churches
Publications from various Colonial church denominations.
Lineage Societies
Lineage Societies
DAR and complete KYGRC volumes, SAR, Founders and Patriots, National Huguenots of Manakin Town, Pilgrims, Society of Colonial Wars, Descendants of Early Quakers, Bench & Bar, Colonial Clergy, and others.
Revolutionary War Soldiers & Patriots
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.
Colonial History & Records
Colonial History & Records
All Colonial States are represented with more extensive holdings from Virginia, Pennsylvania & North Carolina.
Family Histories
Family Histories
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.
Other Reference Material

In addition to the bound volumes, the following reference material is available in the Library.

28

Early maps from surrounding areas to include the earliest Bourbon County map.

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1880 Census of the United States, family history, and genealogy.

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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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The 1850 Census of Kentucky by county.

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Early Kentucky census records plus certain County census records in the County Files.

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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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Includes a number of Kentucky cemeteries and burial location for many Revolutionary War soldiers.

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Bourbon County tax lists from 1789-1833

Vertical Files

The Illustrated Historical Map of Bourbon County

by Alice Rogers Clay Roseberry Blanton, copyright 1934

John Fox, Jr.

a Booklet by Bettie Tuttle

Beers' Map of Bourbon County, 1877

Dorman's Virginia Pensions

Complete Set

And More...

  • Battle of Blue Licks
  • Bourbon Agricultural Soc.
  • Bourbon County
  • Bourbon County Courthouse
  • Bryan 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 Co VA Records
  • Pension Records
  • Pennsylvania Archives
  • Private Graveyards 
  • Ruddell’s Fort
  • Scrapbooks     
  • Shawhan
  • Kentucky Histories
Available Reference Books from Other States
Virginia
(a sample)
Virginia Revolutionary Publick Claims
3 Volumes; Janice Abercrombie & Richard Slatten
Virginia Legislative Petitions, May 6-21 1776
June 1782, Randolph Church
Virginia Revolutionary Pension Applications
All Completed; John Frederick Dorman
Lists of Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia
Hamilton J Eckenrode
George Rogers Clark & His Men, Military Records 1778-84
Margery Heberling Harding
Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War
J T McAlister
A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution, 1774-87
E M Sanchez-Saavedra
Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pensions & Bounty Land Warrant Records
Patrick G Wardell
Maryland & Pennsylvania
(a sample)
The Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War, Church
S Eugene Clements & F Edward Wright
Maryland Revolutionary Records
Harry Wright Newman
Pennsylvania Archives
All But 1st in Series
Names of Persons Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to Pennsylvania, 1777-1789.
T Westcott