The original "Domesday Book" was completed in 1086 for William the Conqueror. It identified England's landowners and land locations for tax purposes. Kentucky's "Doomsday Book" is a journal created by land commissioners appointed to hear settlers' claims in the Kentucky District under Virginia Land Law A.
The commissioners heard testimony presented by applicants, their witnesses and/or agents to determine eligibility for certificates of settlement and various preemption warrants. For the convenience of the settlers, the Commission traveled to various sites in Kentucky County, including St. Asaph's (Logan's Fort), Harrodsburg, Falls of the Ohio (Louisville), Boonesborough (Boonesboro) and Bryant's Station (near Lexington). The first land entry in the Doomsday Book was recorded at St. Asaph on October 14, 1779; the last land entry was recorded at Harrodsburg on February 26, 1780.
The Doomsday Book is 469 pages with a 41-page index. There is no searchable database at this time. Commissioners' certificates and links to patents authorized by certificates of settlement and preemption warrants are available on this website.
Doomsday Book
Title Page-9
98-108
199-208
308-317
418-427
10-19
109-118 209-217
318-327
428-437
20-29 119-128
218-227
328-337
438-447
30-34 129-135
228-237 338-347
448-457
35-44 135-144
238-247 348-357 458-467
45-53
145-152
248-257
358-367
468-Closing Certification
54-62
153-161
258-267
368-377 Index
62-70 161-168
268-277
378-387
71-80
169-178 278-287
388-397
80-89
179-188
288-297
398-407
90-98 189-198
298-307
408-417