The Archives began as a dream for Chris Ozbirn when she started as a volunteer at the Russellville Public Library in the Genealogy Room in 1988 and quickly realized that it would be so much easier to do research if ALL of the materials were in one location.  She spoke to multiple people about this idea and after 14 years, she finally was able to get the right people on board.

Franklin County Probate Judge, Mike Green, joined the effort and decided to put the Archives in the FC Health Department building once the new one was completed.

The County Commission established the Archives on December 9, 2002 as an agency of the county government. Our mission will be to acquire, restore, preserve, duplicate and store records prior to 1959. With a dedicated staff of 25 Volunteers, the former health department building was renovated and officially opened to the public on March 15, 2004.