RESPONSE: Kentucky did not begin a procedure to record births, deaths until 1911. Even then and for several years later, it still was not a perfect system. Records prior to 1911 are sparce. There are some births for various counties which can be read from microfilm from reels sold by the State of KY. In some counties, birth records, death records and some marriage records have been transcribed and sold in book format as Vital Stats Books. People relied on tombstones, Bible records, other family records, oral history, etc. Clay Co. has a Vital Stats book available through the Knox Co. Genealogical Society. I believe there are also some books for Whitley, Rockcastle and Laurel Co.'s. There are a few births included in the 1870 Bell Co. Fed. Census which is sold by Gertrude NOLAN. Harlan Co. has many, many births transcribed and on line. It varies with the county. But remember, the birth records and death records prior to 1911 are sparce and the microfilmed and transcribed records are only a small part of the births and deaths which actually occurred. Joyce Taylor Collins La Palma, CA Message text written by INTERNET:KYCLAY-L@rootsweb.com >hi Kathy I dont have any ideal how to get death records for 1898, I have been looking for some around 1880 and so far havent found any way to find any records, Joyce might know more on this Nancy<