Adair County Genealogical Society

02/23/2026

Check out the event schedule for the Great War Expo happening at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park on April 11th!

We are particularly excited about the panel discussions concerning various topics of the Great War. Come join us for this free event at the home of Sgt. Alvin C. York!

02/21/2026

Our rich history illustrated, part 3—

Baseball was a popular event in the early twentieth century: The Campbellsville nine [baseball team] came out victorious at this place last Saturday. At the close of the ninth inning the scores were tied 22-22. Two more innings were played resulting in Campbellsville gaining three scores. The [team] here will probably play a return game. [Adair County News, 15 August 1900]

Lee Johnston was a long-time driver of the famed Columbia-Campbellsville stage line: The death of Mr. Sam F. Barbee will not interfere with the running of the stage line between this place and Campbellsville... Lee Johnston, the driver, who has been sick for several weeks, will handle the reins as soon as he is able to drive, according to the News, issue 7 February 1900.

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02/20/2026

From the November 4, 1960 edition of the 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑎 𝐾𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑎𝑛 newspaper - there may not be much of the building visible, but I wanted to share this image anyway. Generations of Kentuckians worked with burley to***co, and the economic impact to the state was tremendous. It was also hard, dirty, and dangerous work. The landscape of the burley to***co industry is vanishing from Kentucky, as warehouses and barns are torn down or left to rot.

02/20/2026

Our rich history illustrated—

John “Burbage” and his wife, Inez, were noted school teachers in the county: John Burbage, who lives in the vicinity of Columbia, had the misfortune to lose his wife last Thursday. She was an excellent woman and will be greatly missed in her circle. Her surviving husband is a teacher and so conducts himself as to merit the esteem of everyone with whom he comes in contact. The interment of the deceased was at the New Zion church, four miles from town, and was attended by a large circle of relatives and friends. Inez Burbage died...at the home of her parents, near here. She was for several years an esteemed teacher in the public schools of the county, according to the Adair County News, 31 August 1898, Joppa newsletter. [Burbridge]

Lee Webb, an aged citizen, had lived to see many events: Lee Webb, who was perhaps one of the oldest women in the state, died two miles from Columbia Thursday morning. She was between 110 and 120 years old. Her exact age could not be arrived at, but it is known that she was brought from Virginia to this county in 1779*. Her sight was good as when young at the time she was taken sick. [*Not likely “1779” as the first settlement of what is now Adair County was a decade later—MCW] [Adair County News, 7 February 1900]

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02/19/2026

Our rich history illustrated—

From the earliest days of settlement in what is now Adair County, members of the African-American community have made valuable contributions in many fields, including education, business, and local government. Often a neglected population, the written record has remembered many who worked diligently to make a mark in our community. Here are just a few such mentions:

Little is known of Abraham or Abram Parker, but he was in early Columbia, Adair County, and made a living, at least in part, by buying and selling land. Nicholas Naylor deeded him a half lot in town, number 57 on the town plat, in August 1805. This was the first instance of land ownership in this area by a black man. Court records indicate that Parker had died by mid-1807, for in July of that year Robert Trabue, Sheriff of Adair, offered for sale the house and lot that had belonged to him, on an order by the Adair Circuit Court in favor of Michael Broiles. In the court case that preceded this order, Daniel Trabue had stated Parker had been a trader in land and had lived as a free man in Columbia.

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02/19/2026

📍Genealogy Fieldcraft: Record Exact Source Citations As You Go

One of the most common mistakes in family history?

“I’ll go back and cite that later.”

Later rarely comes.

Fieldcraft means documenting your sources at the exact moment you find them.

Every full citation should include:

- Repository name
- Collection title
- Volume or book number
- Page number
- Image number
- URL
- Access date

Digital links break. Indexes get updated. Pagination changes. Platforms redesign.

If you don’t capture it in real time, you may never reconstruct it accurately.

Strong genealogy isn’t just about finding records.
It’s about building work that can stand up to scrutiny.

That’s Genealogy Fieldcraft.

Many family historians work alone — but they don’t have to.

Join the Kentucky Genealogical Society for year-round instruction, research insight, and a statewide community committed to disciplined, credible family history.

Membership is just $20 per year.
Learn more at www.kygs.org

02/19/2026

Entryway and ticket booth of the 1947 Columbian Theater. This striking Art Moderne building was inexplicably (I am sure the owners had a perfectly good reason) built on an alleyway, so you can hardly appreciate the facade without straining your neck. The theater (one source said it had 569 seats?!) closed in 2009. Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky.

02/14/2026

02/14/2026

The City of Columbia is accepting nomination forms for the 2026 Veterans Banners. The City began this project five years ago; and, it has been received well ...

02/13/2026

City accepting applications for 2026 Veterans Banners

The City of Columbia is accepting nomination forms for the 2026 Veterans Banners. The City began this project five years ago; and, it has been received well by the public.
Banners are placed in the areas immediately around the square and just off the public square. Veteran banners are sponsored by family and friends of the nominees. This year the city will be accepting up to forty new banners.
If you have someone you would like to nominate, the following information is to be furnished: Name of Veteran, Date(s) of service, Branch of service, and the individual and/or family sponsoring the banner. You will also need to furnish a photo that can be used for the banner.
The banners are cycled out after a period of three years. The banner is given to the person who sponsored the original banner. If your banner is on the list to be cycled out this year, you can renew and get another banner.
We are limited in space; and, there already is a waiting list for the forty spots for this year. Please contact Sydney at City Hall at 270-384-2501 for more information.
These are the banners that will be cycled out this year. You will be able to pickup after Wednesday, February 18.
Shane Lee Pollard, Harvey Dean Nash, William E. (Tootie) Corbin, William J. Burton, Ray G. Willis, Charles Caldwell, Ronald Edwards, Eldridge Bragg, James King, Pamela King, Leon Huff, Benjamin Hadley, Sammy King, Edwin Downey, Billy Fletcher, Noel Hayes, Hindman Loy, John William Guillion, William D. Pendleton, Billy Sullivan, Edward Grider, Vernon Williams, William F. Keys, Caleb Arnold, Ronald Goetz, Arlin Wheet, George Caldwell, Jordan Baker, James Smallwood, John D. Lowe III, William Phelps, Liston Moore, William Feese, and Lucian Edwards.
The cost for a banner this year is $93.87.
For further information, contact City Hall.
“We appreciate everyone who participates in this project for our veterans,” said Mayor Hoots.
There will be a dedication ceremony for the veterans banners on Memorial Day weekend.