A week and a half ago Ritchey and I attended the second Saturday workshop at the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort. The blogging workshop was presented by the Kentucky Genealogical Society. Linda McCauley and Cheri Daniels gave great pointers to new and experienced bloggers alike. I’ve already incorporated several of their ideas!
While we were at the history center we visited the exhibit, “A Kentucky Journey”. This wasn’t my first time – have been there many times, and usually always notice something new. My purpose this time was to photograph the exhibit on Kentucky Feuds.
It was quite a shock when, through my genealogy research, I found out I was descended from a feuding family! A feud – any feud – was never mentioned by my grandfather Hill – or any of my aunts or uncles. When I started asking questions about the feud they were just as surprised as I was. Evidently the feud was not talked about in the family – perhaps it was something everyone wanted to forget.
As this map shows, most of the Kentucky feuds took place in eastern Kentucky – the Hatfield and McCoy feud was fought on the border of Kentucky and Virginia. The Hill-Evans feud was located in central Kentucky – adjacent to my home county of Mercer. This feud also began much earlier than the other feuds – 1820 – with the most of the fighting (and killing) occurring in the early 1850’s.
I have read many books, stories and articles on the feud. Many are quite sensationalized – wanting to shock and thrill the reader. Most give little thought to what actually occurred – what is in the court records. But, then again, that’s just one man’s – or one woman’s – opinion! Visit the Kentucky History Center and spend a little while in the exhibit hall. You will learn a lot about Kentucky history, and perhaps a little about yourself!
Categories: Family Stories, Genealogy Ramblings
My two boys love to read about real ‘feuds’. They think it is funny that families can get soo worked up. I just laugh because the 2 of them are Always arguing! I point out – ‘that’s how feuds start’. 🙂
Regards,
Theresa (Tangled Trees)
Little do they know! What are their ages?
Oh, I need to take a look at this exhibit! Those are my Howards in the Harlan County Howard-Turner feud. As many times as I’ve been in the History Center, I have never gone through any of the exhibits.
Then you should! 😉
Where is the Kentucky History Center located? I am looking for information on the Howard Turner feud and the Lee Taylor feud. thank you
It is in Frankfort, Kentucky – 300 W. Broadway Street. Do visit – you will be amazed at everything they have – from the genealogy/history library on the second floor to the hall of Kentucky governors and the major permanent exhibit that takes you through the entire history of the state!
I am from Harlan County Kentucky but live in Indiana my HOWARDS TURNERS Would be on my daddy’s side his name was Charles Clayton Thompson the third he was born 8-17-1951 & died 9-13-2017 his mom was Dorothy Helen Jones Thompson she died in the plane crash on 9-9-1969 in LONDON/SHELBYVILLE INDIANA
The Kentucky History Center has so much information for genealogists!
So the KY Feuds was a temporary exhibit? Is the info atill available?
It is not temporary – it should still be there.
I have a little knowledge of a feud in my family history. It was Helton and Barnett feud. Vaughn Helton was my great grandfather was married to Susie Barnett( I believe her name was Susie). Occurred in Manifee Co. Ky I believe my great grand father was 30 and the quarrel was over a parcel of land. Would love to know if you could find any info concerning this
My name is Sharon Gray i have an article on this fued.
My name is Sharon Gray i have an article on this fued.
Anyone have any information about the feud/feuds between Francis/France family in Lee county, Ky. Supposedly France family had to leave – they moved to Kansas. This was probably 1800’s.
My great great grandfather Jesse May was killed in the Evans-Hill Feud.