The mission of the Library's Kentucky History & Genealogy Collection is to ensure that residents of Metro Louisville and users living far beyond its borders will have reliable access to primary and secondary source materials of historical and genealogical value well into the future.
The Kentucky History Room is closed for the duration of the Main Library renovation. We apologize for any inconvenience.
For research assistance or information from our reference resources, please Ask a Librarian and we will assist you with your inquiry remotely.
Note that Ancestry Library Edition and LFPL’s Kentucky History Research database can be accessed at any LFPL location. Other local history and genealogy databases can be accessed using your library card.
Digital Collections
LFPL's digital collections relate to Kentucky history and culture and feature materials that are both unique and not widely available.
Kentucky Digital Library: Built to enhance scholarship, research and lifelong learning by providing access to shared digital archival collections in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
1937 Flood Collection: A collection of reports by various institutions including eyewitness accounts, personal experiences, and services rendered during the January 1937 Ohio River Valley flood.
Louisville Newspaper Obituary Index 1918–1987: Contains an index of obituaries published in various Louisville newspapers, most notably the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Sanborn Maps: A valuable historical resource featuring detailed fire insurance maps that document the urban development and infrastructure of cities and towns in the United States during the late 19th and 20th centuries.