County
Learn about the area’s history, geography, and formation.
Visit section →Start Your Kenton County Research
Kenton County was established on 24 Jan 1840 from Campbell County and named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman and soldier. The county seat is Covington. Located in Northern Kentucky, Kenton’s records often overlap with nearby counties due to shifting county lines and close ties between communities across the Ohio River and surrounding areas.
The northern border of Kenton County is formed by the Ohio River, which separates it from the state of Ohio. The Ohio River influenced the county's geography, economy, and historical development.
Research Highlights
Kenton County researchers will find a strong mix of county-level records and local sources, including marriages, deeds, probate materials, cemetery readings, obituaries, and contributed family files. Because Kenton was created in 1840, earlier residents may appear in Campbell County records (and, depending on the time period, in older parent-county jurisdictions). Also watch for boundary-related record shifts into neighboring counties, such as Campbell and Boone.
Records
Browse vital records, including marriage, birth, and death records.
Browse records →Family
Find biographies, family pages, and community history.
View family →Photos
Explore historical photos of the area.
County at a Glance
- County seats: Covington and Independence
- Established: 1840
- Parent county: Campbell County
- Counties formed from Kenton: None
- Early communities: Covington, Independence, Ludlow, Erlanger, Bromley, and rural townships
- Key corridors: Ohio River, Licking River, major rail lines, and regional highways connecting to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
- Early industries: river trade, manufacturing, agriculture, and later rail and urban commerce
- Nearby landmarks: Devou Park, Licking River, historic Covington neighborhoods, and the Roebling Suspension Bridge
Record Loss:
- Kenton County has not suffered major courthouse fires or widespread record loss. Most vital records, deeds, and court documents remain intact from 1840 onward.
- Researchers should note that some gaps or missing records may exist due to routine administrative changes, boundary adjustments, or older records being held in parent county (Campbell) archives.
- If a person seems to “disappear,” broaden your search to adjacent counties and check for records in Campbell, Boone, or Hamilton County, Ohio.
Adjacent Counties
Adjacent Counties
Repositories & Records
For deeds, marriage licenses, and a variety of county-level records, start with the Kenton County Clerk in Covington. For circuit, district, and probate-related court matters, see the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk. Microfilm copies of many Kentucky record groups are available through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA).
The Kenton County Public Library also offers local history and genealogy resources that can be valuable for researchers. This library is recognized statewide for its extensive collection of Northern Kentucky historical materials.
Notes
Start with Kenton County records (beginning 1840), then work backward into Campbell County for earlier appearances of the same families. If your research points toward the southwestern part of early Kenton, remember that Boone County was formed in 1798 from Campbell, and Grant County was formed in in 1821 from Caldwell and Livingston.
Bordering two other states creates a larger research area, as records may be found across state lines in addition to adjacent counties within Kentucky.
Research Tips & Helpful Hints
- Take advantage of Kenton County’s location near Cincinnati—many residents had ties across the Ohio River, and records may be found in Hamilton County, Ohio, as well as in Kentucky.
- Cincinnati’s libraries, archives, and historical societies (such as the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and the Cincinnati Historical Society) hold valuable resources for Northern Kentucky families.
- Look for church, cemetery, and immigration records in both states, especially for families who moved back and forth or worked in Cincinnati’s industries.
- City directories, newspapers, and census records from Cincinnati often include Kenton County residents, especially those living in Covington, Ludlow, and other river communities.
- Don’t overlook transportation records—river, rail, and road networks connected Kenton County to Cincinnati and beyond, influencing migration and employment patterns.
Map is from the 1893 Map of Kentucky. Found in the David Rumsey Map Collection.