Douglas County, Kansas Records
Douglas County, Kansas (Map It) was created on August 25, 1855 as one of the original 36 counties. The county was named in honor of Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813-1861), U.S. Senator from Illinois and advocate for the moderate popular sovereignty choice in the Kansas slavery debate..
Douglas County is bordered by Jefferson County (north), Leavenworth County (northeast), Johnson County (east), Miami County (southeast), Franklin County (south), Osage County (southwest), Shawnee County (northwest).
Douglas County Cities and Towns include Baldwin City, Eudora, Lawrence, Lecompton.
A Map of Douglas County, Kansas contains detailed information about roads and boundaries, these maps may include rural communities, churches, and cemeteries.
Douglas County, Kansas Courthouse Records
Douglas County, KS Courthouse
The Douglas County Courthouse is located in Lawrence, Kansas. Records destroyed 21 August 1863 in Quantrill's raid. Some marriage records reconstructed. Learn More About State of Kansas Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.
The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.
The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Douglas county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk.
- Douglas County Clerks Office has Birth Records from 1885-1907, Marriage Records from 1863 and Death Records from 1885-97. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Douglas County Register of Deeds Office has Land Records from 1856. The Register of Deeds shall have custody of and safely keep and preserve all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds and shall perform all other duties as are required by law.
- Douglas County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1856 and Court Records from 1863. The Clerk of Court is part of the Judicial Branch of local government and as such is required to maintain a record of all documents filed with the courts, keep a record of all court proceedings, and collect various fines and forfeitures ordered by the court and specified by statute.
- Douglas County Treasurers Office The County Treasurer's Office by Kansas State law is responsible for the tax billing, collection and distribution of tax money for the State, County, Cities and all other taxing entities that levy Ad Valorem and/or special assessment taxes. For the most part, tax records remain at the local level. Assessment and tax rolls are kept, permanently, by the County Treasurer's office.
Douglas County, Kansas Census Records
- Learn More: State of Kansas Census Records
- U.S. Federal Population Schedules: 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragmented), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
- State Population Schedules: 1855, Census Collection, 1855-1925, 1919-1961
- U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Agriculture Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Industry Schedules: 1860, 1870 and 1880
- Union Veterans Schedules: 1890
Douglas County, Kansas Vital Records
- Learn More: State of Kansas Vital Records
- Birth and Death Records: from July 1, 1911 to present
- Marriage Records: from May 1, 1913 to present.
- Divorce Records: from July 1, 1951 to present.
- Locations: Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, Curtis State Office Building, 1000 S W Jackson, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612-2221; (785) 296-3253
- Vital Records Online: USAVital or Social Security Death Index
- Vital Records by Mail: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications.
Douglas County, Kansas Resources
- State of Kansas Archives and Societies
- RAOGK Volunteers for Kansas
- Douglas County Genealogical Society
- Douglas County Historical Society, 1047 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS 66044
- Search for Douglas Co. records at the Kansas State Archives
- Douglas County, Kansas Message Boards
Douglas County, Kansas External Links
- Kansas Historical Newspapers - Newspapers.com
- Douglas County, Kansas Books - Amazon
- Douglas Co., Kansas - FindaGrave
- Kansas Indexed Historical Records - Familysearch
- Douglas County Courthouse History
- Douglas County, Kansas Links - Cyndi's List
- Douglas County - Kansas Historical Society Biography
- Historical Newspapers from Kansas (1841–1981)
- Douglas Co. KSGenweb
- Douglas County, Kansas Ancestry Database Collections
- Douglas County, Kansas Military Records