The Ancestor Hunt regularly adds and updates new collection links, as well as searches for and fixes broken links.
(This page's most recent update is January 2025)
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Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.
Types of Records
- Criminal court proceedings
- Police reports
- Prison and jail admission registers
- Arrest records
- Mug books
- Pardon and discharge information
- Hospital record books
- Workhouse records
Types of Information
- Name
- Age
- Birth date
- Height
- Weight
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Education
- Habits (alcohol use)
- Relations (parents living)
- Date incarcerated
- Court where charged
- Recommitments
- How and when discharged
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:
Kansas Criminal Records
United States
- Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
- Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
- Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
Kansas
- Douglas County, District Court Journals, 1863-1920
- Executions in Kansas
- Fort Dodge, Headquarters Records, including Prisoners, 1866-1882
- Fort Leavenworth Military Prison Cemetery, Burial List
- Kansas State Penitentiary, Escapees and Parole Violators
- Kansas, Kansas State Prison Escapees
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names ? – Ball
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Ballard – Bliss
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Blitch – Bryson
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Bubley – Chapko
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Covell – Devine
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Devitto – Erwin
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Escabeda – Frenkel
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Frerch – Goza
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Graber – Harrington
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Harris – Holman
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Holmes – Johns
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Johnson – Kinnevan
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Lewkowicez – Martinelli
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Martines – Messoline
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Messtak – Murphy
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Murr – Palmer
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Palmeria – Powers
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Powlak – Robertazzi
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Roberts – Schaffner
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Schaler – Smiljanich
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Smith – Stoltenberg
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Stomackin – Tornsheck
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Torp – Washington
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Wasik – Winczewski
- Kansas, Leavenworth Penitentiary Inmates, 1895-1931, Names Winder – Zytowski
- Kansas, Name Index to Inmate Case Files, U.S. Penitentiary, 1895 – 1931
- Kansas, Name Index to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary Inmate Case Files, 1895-1931
- Kansas, World War I Draft Registration Cards: Prisoners, Indians, Insane, in Hospitals
- Leavenworth County, Cemetery of the Good Thief AKA Lansing Correctional Cemetery
- Leavenworth County, U.S. Penitentiary, Name Inmate Case Files Index, 1895 – 1931
- Leavenworth County, United States Penitentiary Cemetery AKA Leavenworth Penitentiary
- Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Name Index to Inmate Case Files, 1895-1931
- Marion County, Industrial School & Hygiene House, 1920 Census
- Mitchell County, Beloit Industrial School Cemetery AKA Reform School for Girls Cemetery
- Name Index to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary Inmate Case Files, 1895-1931
- Osborne County, Jail Calendar Records, 1874–1930
- Pottawatomie County, Civil Appearance Docket, 1861-1919; Index, 1861-1927
- Thomas County, Sheriff’s Records, 1886-1965
- Wabaunsee County, Court and Divorce Records, ca. 1857-1923; Index, 1876-1927
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!