Why Land Records Matter
Land records are among the most valuable genealogical sources available. In many cases, deeds survive earlier than birth and death records and can establish residence, migration patterns, family relationships, and economic standing.
In Kentucky, land transactions were recorded at the county level. Deed books may include:
- Warranty and quitclaim deeds
- Land grants and patents
- Mortgages and liens
- Estate-related land divisions
- Dower releases (often naming wives)
- Boundary disputes and surveys
Because Union County was formed in 1811 from Henderson County, early land records may also be found in parent counties.
Union County Land Records Overview
Union County was established in 1811. Deed books and land transactions from that date forward were recorded by the Union County Clerk’s Office.
Researchers should consult:
- Union County Deed Books
- Grantor and Grantee Indexes
- Land entry and survey records
- Estate settlements involving land
Land descriptions in this region typically use metes and bounds, referencing neighboring property owners, creeks, roads, and natural features.
Kentucky Land Grant & Patent Records
Kentucky maintained a centralized land grant system. Researchers can search early grants and patents through the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Land Office.
These records may pre-date county formation and are essential for tracing first settlers in the region.
Federal Land Records
Some early settlers may have obtained land through federal land sales. The Bureau of Land Management provides access to federal land patents.
Research Tips for Union County Land Records
- Search both grantor and grantee indexes.
- Follow land forward and backward in time.
- Map adjoining landowners - neighbors were often relatives.
- Check estate records when land changes hands without a deed.
- Search neighboring counties if boundaries shifted.
Union County borders Henderson, Webster, and Crittenden counties, and sits along the Ohio River across from Indiana. Land transactions frequently crossed county and even state lines.
Future Additions
This page is under development. Contributions of deed abstracts, land indexes, survey transcriptions, or maps specific to Union County are welcome.