Jefferson County was created on August 25, 1855 as an Original County. The County Seat is Oskaloosa. The County was named for Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States.
PLEASE READ FIRST!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.
All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link, by contacting the Phone number below for each department or contacting the County Courthouse at PO Box 331, Oskaloosa, KS 66066-0331; Phone: (785) 863-2272.NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.
Jefferson County Clerks Officehas Birth Records from 1892-98, Marriage Records from 1855 and Death Records from 1892-98.
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.
Jefferson County Register of Deeds Officehas Land Records from 1854.
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.
Jefferson County Clerk of District Court has Probate Records from 1855 and Court Records from 1858. 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.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Court Records by clicking the link below:
Kansas Election List, 1854: Listing of voters from Kansas in 1854 taken from Congressional report in 1856
For the most part, tax records remain at the local level. Assessment and tax rolls are kept, permanently, by the County Treasurer's office.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
Jefferson 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.
Click Here to Search Kansas Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
Office of Vital Statistics, 1000 S W Jackson, Suite 110, Topeka, KS 66612; (785) 296-1400 Info; (785) 296-3253.
All Fees below cover a five-year record search – one certified copy is issued if the record is found and if not found, the fee is retained. You will receive either the certified copy or a letter explaining the search conducted and that no record was located. All Request Filled requests take 2-4 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death) or 2-5 Days when you order ONLINE.
They have the following records:
Birth Certificates: In Kansas, Birth certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds birth records before July 1, 1911.
Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
Delayed Certificates of Birth: are on file with dates of birth dating back to the 1860's. In 1940, statutory authority was received by the Office which allowed individuals still alive in 1940 and later with no prior birth record filed to submit certain documentation to file a Delayed Certificate of Birth. A request for a Delayed Certificate of Birth is made in the same manner as one for a regular birth certificate – just specify the date of birth. If the date specified is between the late 1860's and July 1, 1911, a Delayed Certificate of Birth search will be conducted.
Death Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office July 1, 1911. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds death records before July 1, 1911.
Cost: $13.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $8 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
Marriage Certificates: In Kansas, Death certificates began being filed with the Office May 1, 1913. The Kansas Historical Society and/or the County Clerk holds marriage records before May 1, 1913.
Cost: $12.00 fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $7 for each additional copy of same record ordered at same time.
Divorces: Divorce Certificates began being filed with this office July 1, 1951. The divorce decree is not filed with this office. The decree is the court document detailing the settlement of the divorce. The divorce certificate is completed by the plaintiff's attorney and contains only basic information – names of husband and wife, date of marriage, date of divorce, etc. Certified copies of divorce decrees are obtained from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Cost: $12.00 is the cost for the search, which includes one copy of the divorce certificate, if found. Additional copies of the same record, requested at the same time as the first, are $7.00 each.
Order On-Line: To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek.
Order In Person: Go to Curtis State Office Bldg., 1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 120, Topeka, KS 66612. Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays.Payment made by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Kansas Voter Lists & Census Records! - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Census Records by clicking the link below:
Kansas Census, 1850-90: This database contains indexes to the Kansas (U.S.A.) portions of the 1850-18700 U.S. Federal Censuses as well as to the 1855-1859 state and territorial census, and the 1890 Veterans Schedules. Information contained in these indexes can include name, state, county, township, year of record, and name of record set.
Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915: This database contains state censuses for Kansas from 1855-1915. Information available in this database includes: name, age, gender, race, relationship to head of household, birthplace, marital status, and place of enumeration. Additional information about an individual may be listed on the original record.
Genealogy Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for other states.
You can view rotating animated maps for Kansas showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
You can view rotating animated maps for Kansas showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Kansas Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Maps. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Kansas Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.
The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Military Records by clicking the link below:
Kansas Civil War Soldiers: Listing of over 20,000 men who served in the Union Army from Kansas, 1861-1865
Leavenworth, Kansas Veterans, 1915-16: One of the oldest and most important communities in Kansas, Leavenworth has been home to thousands of military veterans. This database is a listing of residents of the Western Branch of the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers between 1915 and 1916.
Southern Claims Commission from the State of Kansas (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
Jefferson County Historical Society,
P.O. Box 146,
Oskaloosa 66066
Jefferson County Genealogical Society,
P.O. Box 174,
Oskaloosa 66066
Kansas Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search Kansas Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
The earliest churches were established among the native tribes settled in Kansas long before it was organized as a territory. The Methodist, Baptist, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches all had early missions which grew as the white settlers immigrated.
There is no central registry of cemetery locations in Kansas. The Woman's Kansas Day Club has identified and located many Kansas cemeteries. The project's results are at the Kansas State Historical Society which has additional collections of published cemetery inscriptions, though not comprehensive, listed in their card catalog.
The Register of Deeds in each county is often able to assist in locating cemeteries. Certain maps distributed by the Kansas Department of Transportation show the location of known cemeteries in relation to county roads.
Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Kansas Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.
When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Jefferson County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Kansas Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
Transcribed from Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912.
Jefferson County, one of the counties formed and organized by the first territorial legislature, is situated in the northeastern part of the state, the second county west from the Missouri river and the third south from the Nebraska line. It is bounded on the north by Atchison county, on the east by Leavenworth, on the south by the Kansas river, which separates it from Douglas county, and on the west by Shawnee and Jackson counties.
Jefferson is one of the older settled counties of the state and some of the most important events in the history of Kansas took place within its borders. The first visit of white men of which there is any record is the expedition of Prof. Say, which entered the county at the southwest corner of Delaware township and proceeded to the falls of the Delaware (then the Grasshopper) river, where camp was made on the night of Aug. 27, 1819. The next day they crossed the northern boundary. The first settlement was made by Daniel Morgan Boone, son of the famous Kentuckian, who was appointed "farmer for the Kansas Indians" by the government. He located in 1827 on the north side of the Kaw river in the extreme southern part of what is now Jefferson county, and started to teach the Kansas Indians the art of agriculture. His son, born on Aug. 22, 1828, was probably the first white child born in Kansas. Boone maintained the first agency for Indian lands in the state. Subsequently a settlement grew up, the ruins of which were found near the present village of Williamstown by settlers in 1854.
In 1851 a few Mormon families en route from Missouri to Salt Lake stopped in Jefferson county, about where Thompsonville is now located. They remained about two years and made some improvements. Three log cabins were built and about 15 acres of land cultivated. Three of the women in the company died of cholera. They were buried in the edge of the timber and tombstones put up with the names cut on them. One was a Mrs. Archer and one a Mrs. Platt. Finding they could not obtain the lands in Kansas they moved on.
Permanent settlements were made in 1854, a military and freight road having been opened that year between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley. The following are some of the settlers who came in that year: William F. and George M. Dyer, Henry Zen, Henry Chubb, William B. Wade, Sidney Stewart, Aaron Cook, R. P. Beeler, Jefferson Riddle, J. T. Wilson, John Kuykendall, John Scaggs, Thomas R. and Alexander Byne, Charles Hardt, Simeon and Isaac Hull, Charles Hedrick, John Hart, J. B. Ross, Robert Riddle, James Frazier, A. J. Whitney and T. J. and H. B. Jolley. The settlements were made along the government road and the Kansas river, and at the crossing of the Grasshopper. The lands had not yet been opened for sale, but the immigrants paid no attention to that fact. They staked off claims and began improvements, with the understanding that when these lands were offered for sale they could bid in their holdings at the appraised value. This was the famous "squatter's right" that caused so mach trouble in territorial days, and this condition obtained with nearly all the best lands in Jefferson county. An election was held that year, the polling place in Jefferson being at Ozawkie. The Missourians drove the free-state men from the polls. During the summer Congress established two mail routes across the county. One was along the old military road and the other was from Fort Leavenworth to the Big Blue by Grasshopper (now Valley) Falls. The first postoffice was Ozawkie, established on March 15, 1855, with George M. Dyer postmaster. Hickory Point was established soon afterward with Charles Hardt as postmaster and in Dec., 1855, Grasshopper Falls, with A. J. Whitney postmaster.
The first white child born after the permanent settlement was Ella Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alpha Simmons, June 19, 1855. The first marriage was between Alfred Corey and Miss Martha Hoovey at Ozawkie, Nov. 25, 1855.
In the election of 1855 Hickory Point was the polling place. Large numbers of pro-slavery men came into the territory the day before, camped near Hickory Point, laid off claims and the next day demanded the right to vote. On being refused a row ensued, and the election board finding it impossible to secure a fair election refused to serve. When the free-state voters came they found the polls in the hands of non-residents and went away without voting.
The first term of the district court in the county was held at Ozawkie the last week in March, 1856, with Samuel D. Lecompte as the presiding judge. At this time it was hardly safe to be abroad unarmed, as the border war was in progress and bands of armed men from other parts of the state and from Missouri frequented the settlements of Jefferson county. If a free-soiler was caught by a band of border ruffians he was apt to be killed. During the absence from Grasshopper Falls of the free-state defense organization the pro-slavery men visited the place, insulted the women and made various threats. In retaliation the free-state band under the leadership of Clark made a raid and killed a man by the name of Jackson, who was responsible. For the death of Jackson Grasshopper Falls was raided on Sept. 8, 1856, by a body of armed ruffians. The town was completely sacked and the store of William and R. H. Crosby was burned. Both sides were now in arms. Some South Carolinians who had been committing various depredations were discovered and captured on Slough creek, but were released on promising to leave the territory. The trouble culminated in the Battle of Hickory Point (q. v.).
The Jefferson county free-soilers took no part in the election of delegates for a constitutional convention in 1857. In August of that year, at the election for state officers, A. G. Patrick of Jefferson county was elected clerk of the supreme court. Two conventions were held at Grasshopper Falls in the latter part of August, one a mass and the other a delegate body, to discuss the contest for the control of the legislature. It was decided to put a full ticket in the field. (See Grasshopper Falls Convention.) The convention for Jefferson county was held at Ozawkie the same month.
The first county officers were appointed in 1855 as follows: Franklin Finch, probate judge; W. F. Dyer, treasurer; G. M. Dyer, sheriff; Marion Christison, register of deeds; William Sprague, assessor; Garret Cozine, surveyor; James A. Chapman, coroner; N. B. Hopewell, O. B. Tebbs and Henry Owens members of the county court, which was the same as the board of commissioners. Ozawkie was designated as county seat. At the meeting of the county court on Jan. 21, 1856, the county was divided into three townships, Slough, Ozawkie and Grasshopper Falls. The first road in the county was located in April and ran from Ozawkie east to Alexandria on Stranger Creek in Leavenworth county.
Early in 1858 the legislature authorized a county seat election. The contesting towns were: Oskaloosa, which received 177 votes; Grasshopper Falls, 173; Ozawkie, 94; Hickory Point, 50; and Fairfield, 10. Another election was held, in which Oskaloosa received 294 votes; Grasshopper Falls, 271; Ozawkie, 103; Hickory Point, 107; and Defiance, 3. A third election was held, between the two highest towns, in which Oskaloosa received the majority and was made the county seat. In 1864 the legislature again authorized a county seat election, in which Oskaloosa was again victorious. A court-house was built in 1867.
During the Civil war a regiment known as the Fourth Kansas militia was organized in Jefferson county, with S. S. Cooper as colonel. It comprised eleven companies, two from Grasshopper Falls, two from Jefferson township, two from Oskaloosa, one from Ozawkie, one from Rock Creek, one from Kaw, one from Kentucky and one from Sarcoxie. The object was the protection of the state from invasion. The county was also well represented in the Kansas regiments in the field.
The first schools were opened in 1859. J. H. Bennett was the first county superintendent and organized 9 districts that year. By 1865 there were 20 districts. After the war all the old districts were reorganized and 50 more added before 1870. New and well equipped school houses took the place of the log structures.
In the year 1860 the population of the county was 4,446, and the assessed valuation of property $925,003. The drought of 1860 and the war beginning the ensuing year retarded growth and development, but by 1870 the county had a population of 12,565, the assessed valuation of farm lands was $4,218,363, and the number of improved acres 91,004.
The area of Jefferson county is 568 square miles or 363,520 acres. It is divided into twelve townships, viz.: Delaware (formerly Grasshopper), Fairview, Jefferson, Kaw, Kentucky, Norton, Oskaloosa, Ozawkie, Rock Creek, Rural, Sarcoxie and Union. The general surface is undulating prairie with a few rough places. The bottom lands along the creek beds and the Kansas river comprise about 15 per cent. of the total acreage. The Kansas river flows east along the southern border except for about 6 miles of the southeast corner. The Delaware (formerly the Grasshopper) enters on the northern border about 4 miles from the west line and flowing south joins the Kansas at Perry. This stream is large enough to furnish power for mills. Big Slough creek is the main branch of the Delaware. Muddy creek crosses the southwest corner of the county.
Jefferson county is well supplied with railroads, the Leavenworth, Kansas & Western (Union Pacific) enters a few miles south of the northeast corner, crosses to Valley Falls and thence northeast into Atchison county; a branch of the Missouri Pacific enters in the east and crosses northwest through Valley Falls into Jackson county; a line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe enters from the southwest, crossing the county in a northeasterly direction, a branch diverging at Meriden and running east into Leavenworth county; and the Union Pacific crosses the extreme southern border, following the Kansas river. The total mileage of railroad is 121.44. The population of the county in 1910 was 15,826.
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