Missouri Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > Missouri (46,583)

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Overview of Missouri records

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Overview of Missouri Genealogy Records

• History: Missouri was first settled in 1735 and became a state in 1821. It allowed slavery during the Civil War period but stayed on the Union side so had soldiers on both sides of the war.
• Birth records: Some birth records were kept in Missouri from 1883 to 1893, but they are incomplete. Statewide registration of births began in 1909 with complete records by 1927. Copies of birth records for 1910 and later can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services .
• Marriages: Marriage records in Missouri were kept by the county clerks from the time the county was organized. Statewide registration of marriages began in 1881. Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the appropriate county clerk. Marriage records for 1948 and later can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services .
• Deaths: Some death records were kept in Missouri from 1883 to 1893, but they are incomplete. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1909 with complete records by 1911. Copies of death records for 1910 and later can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services .
• Divorces: Divorce records are usually kept by the circuit court clerk.
• Census: The first federal census available for Missouri is 1830. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. There were various state censuses taken in some counties between 1752 and 1881.
• County records: Court, land, probate, and tax records were kept by the individual county courts.
• Other records: Many cities and towns had newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records that can be located on the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Online indexes and images of many of the above records can be found by using the links on this site.