Records from Dickinson County

Abstract: Paper and microfilmed records from Dickinson County, Kan., primarily from the county clerk, District Court, and Abilene city clerk. The records date between 1861 and 1970 and document primarily civil & criminal cases, as well as city ordinances. The paper records consist of transcripts from the District Court for cases 1447 and 2515, dated 1961 and 1970. The bulk of the records, however, are on microfilm. The microfilmed District Court records document cases involving serious criminal & civil offenses, naturalization of individuals wishing to become United States citizens, divorces, and large monetary amounts. These include civil and criminal case files, 1882-1921, and appearance dockets, 1882-1921. Records from the county clerk include Commissioners journals dated 1861-1883. Records from the Abilene city clerk include Minute books dated 1870-1876, and City ordinance books dated 1869-1871.

Administrative History: Dickinson County, Kan., was established on Feb. 20, 1857. It was named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinson (1800-1866), United States senator from New York. Abilene is both the county seat and largest city. During the growth of the railroads and western expansion in the 19th century, Abilene became one of the most significant cattle towns in the frontier. Other cities include Herington. Dickinson County townships include Banner, Buckeye, Center, Cheever, Flora, Fragrant Hill, Garfield, Grant, Hayes, Holland, Hope, Jefferson, Liberty, Lincoln, Logan, Lyon, Newbern, Noble, Ridge, Rinehart, Sherman, Union, Wheatland, and Willowdale.

Finding Aid Bibliography: Kansas State Historical Society. "Kansas Counties - Dickinson County." http://www.kshs.org/genealogists/places/counties.php?county=DK (accessed June 16, 2009.)