View source for Missouri History

{{MO-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States History|U.S. History]]
| link3=[[Missouri, United States Genealogy|Missouri]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Missouri History|History]]
}}

=== Online Resources ===

*[http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/history/ All About Missouri History]. 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8553 Missouri History Encyclopedia, 1901] ($) 
*[http://www.learnwebskills.com/patriot/countyhistories2.htm#mo County and Town Histories]

=== Timeline  ===

The following important events in the history of Missouri affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. 

*'''1735:''' French lead miners established the first permanent white settlement at Sainte Genevieve. 
*'''1763:''' France ceded the Missouri area to Spain. French fur traders founded St. Louis in 1764. 
*'''1800:''' Spain returned the region to France. 
*'''1803:''' France sold Missouri to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Missouri was part of the Louisiana Territory after 1805. 
*'''1812:''' (June 4,) Congress created the Missouri Territory. Many families left after earthquakes and other disasters. 
*'''1820:''' (May 6) President James Monroe signed the [https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Missouri.html Missouri Compromise]. The Missouri Compromise was an effort to maintain a balance of power in Congress. It allowed Missouri  to be admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state. 
*'''1821:''' (August 10,) Missouri became a state. 
*'''1837:''' The Osage Indians ceded land 
*'''1837:''' The Platte Purchase added six northwestern counties to the state. 
*[[Oregon Trail|Oregon Trail]] and [[Santa Fe Trail|Santa Fe Trail]] start at Independence, Missouri 
*'''23 April 1860 - 24 October 1861:''' [[Pony Express]] 
*'''1861-1865:''' During the Civil War most of the citizens supported the Union, although several counties seceded. Troops from Missouri served in both the Confederate and the Union forces. 
*'''1898:''' Over 300,000 men were involved in the [http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/ Spanish-American War] which was fought mainly in Cuba and the Philippines. 
*'''1917–1918:''' More than 26 million men from the United States ages 18 through 45 registered with the Selective Service. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] over 4.7 million American men and women served during the war. 
*'''1930's:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression The Great Depression] closed many factories and mills. Many small farms were abandoned, and many families moved to cities. 
*'''1940–1945:''' Over 50.6 million men ages 18 to 65 registered with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Training_and_Service_Act_of_1940 Selective Service]. Over 16.3 million American men and women served in the armed forces during [http://www.worldwar-2.net/ World War II]. 
*'''1950–1953:''' Over 5.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.korean-war.com/ Korean War]. 
*'''1950's–1960's''' The building of [http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs/ interstate highways] made it easier for people to move long distances. 
*'''1964–1972:''' Over 8.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.vietnamwar.com/ Vietnam War].

=== Historical Content  ===

Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including: 
{| width="70%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
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*Parents' names 
*Maiden names of women 
*Place of birth, death, or marriage

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*Occupation 
*Migration 
*Military service

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*Descendants

|}

=== Local Histories  ===

Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Missouri. 

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8521 Central Missouri Counties, History] at Ancestry.com ($)

*Paul O. Selby,''A Bibliography of Missouri County Histories and Atlases'', 2d ed. (Kirksville, Missouri: Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, 1966) {{WorldCat|3136431|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|148467|item|disp=FHL book 977.8 A1 No. 145}}

*Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985.) {{WorldCat|12356760|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|299450|item|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}}

*Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. (Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76.) {{WorldCat|1365920|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|252458|item|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}<br>

The [http://thelibrary.org/lochist/ Springfield-Greene County Library District] has local history articles for Greene County as well as other Missouri counties online. 

Biographies from numerous Missouri County History volumes are available free online on [http://www.mygenealogyhound.com/missouri-counties/missouri-biographies-by-county.html My Genealogy Hound] .&nbsp; 

=== State Histories Useful to Genealogists  ===

Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Missouri: 

*Major research centers have histories of the state and its counties. An especially helpful source for studying the history of Missouri before statehood is:<br>Louis Houck, ''A History of Missouri from the Earliest Explorations and Settlements until the Admission of the State into the Union'', Three Volumes. (Chicago, Illinois: R. R. Donnelley, 1908) {{WorldCat|1199284|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|148467|item|disp=FHL film 1697679 items 2-3, film 1320710 item 1, book 977.8 H2h}} 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22372 The early history of St. Louis and Missouri&nbsp;: from its first exploration by white men in 1673 to 1843] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23739 Hand-book of Missouri ] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48608 A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8553 Missouri History Encyclopedia, 1901] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7822 Missouri History, 1908] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7942 Missouri Pioneer Families History, 1876] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22578 A history of Missouri&nbsp;: from the earliest explorations and settlements until the admission of the state into the Union] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29713 History of Missouri Baptists] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22422 A history of the pioneer families of Missouri ] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=16452 Bates, et al. of Virginia and Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28850 Sketches of early life and times in Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25760 The Book of Missourians&nbsp;: the achievements and personnel of notable living men and women of Missouri in the opening decade of t] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=24293 A history of the Smasheys in Maryland, New Jersey, Missouri, Illinois and Florida, 1770-1972&nbsp;: including, Sam Clemens in Hannib] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28656 The family of Rev. John Tanner, Baptist preacher&nbsp;: Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri.] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22602 Missouri, a guide to the "Show Me" state] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22654 Year book of the Missouri Historical Society&nbsp;: a consolidation of the Missouri Historical Society and the Louisiana Purchase H] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23796 The Missouri handbook] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28370 A compilation of the known descendants of Thomas and Rhoda (Patterson) Lillard, a pioneer family of Missouri, Illinois, and Iow] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=27935 A history of the Missouri Baptist General Association] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22653 Year book of the Missouri Historical Society&nbsp;: a consolidation of the Missouri Historical Society and the Louisiana Purchase H] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=26436 A history of Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29738 The states and territories of the great West&nbsp;: including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minesota] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23820 Report of the second reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa ] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=27221 The Wilkinson family history&nbsp;: of Virginia, Missouri and Oklahoma] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25332 Tipton family of Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25674 Tipton family of Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28318 The Wilkinson family history&nbsp;: of Virginia, Missouri and Oklahoma] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22524 Switzler's illustrated history of Missouri&nbsp;: from 1541 to 1877] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22528 We're from Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=24587 A history of the Kentucky and Missouri Stiles ] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2772 The early Cockrells in Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23792 Länger als ein Menschenleben in Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25420 Comments on the Missouri Historical Records Survey] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=24746 The westward movement of capital and the facilities which Missouri offers for its investment] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=22460 Missouri, a bone of contention] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25643 Services and accomplishments of the Missouri Historical Records Survey] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25860 The influence of the environment on the settlement of Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=25195 The influence of the environment on the settlement of Missouri] at Ancestry.com ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28134 The Spanish regime in Missouri&nbsp;: a collection of papers and documents relating to upper Louisiana, principally within the prese] at Ancestry.com ($)

=== United States History  ===

The following are only a few of the many sources that are available: 

*Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' (Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983.) {{WorldCat|9392978|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, ({{FHL|531408|item|disp=FHL book 973 H2alm}}<br>This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.

*Ketz, Louise Bilebof, ''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976.) {{WorldCat|2507380|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|833646|item|disp=FHL book 973 H2ad}}<br>This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations.

*''The Pony Express''<br>Pony Express riders carried the U.S. Mail on horseback. There were approximately 80 of them. There were support personnel as well that numbered over 400. The Pony Express Route Covered Parts of: California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. <br>[http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html Pony Express Riders Biographies]<br>By Name Include Some Photos

*''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. (Springfield, Mass.: G and C Merriam, 1971.) {{WorldCat|142893|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|280192|item|disp=FHL book 973 H2v}}<br>This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.

*American Historical Association, ''Writings on American History'' (Washington, D.C.: American Historical Association, 1906-1960) {{WorldCat|1770230|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}, {{FHL|244514|item|disp=FHL book 973 H23w}} Digital version available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Y34rAQAAIAAJ Google Books]

'''Draper Manuscript Collection.''' Look for Missouri ancestors 1740-1830 in the '''[[Draper Manuscript Collection]]'''. These manuscripts cover the history of the "trans-Allegheny West," a region including the west Carolinas and Virginia, all the Ohio River Valley, and part of the upper Mississippi Valley. There are 491 volumes of partially-indexed manuscripts, papers, and books. 

*To find more books and articles about Missouri 's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Missouri history."

*Many more histories may be accessed by using the Place-names search in The FamilySearch Catalog for:

::MISSOURI - HISTORY 
::MISSOURI, [COUNTY] - HISTORY 
::MISSOURI, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - HISTORY 
::MISSOURI, BIBLIOGRAPHY

== Websites  ==

*[http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/history/ Missouri Archives] 
*[http://www.mohistory.org/home/ Missouri Museum] 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Missouri History of Missouri] (Wikipedia)

== Sources  ==

<references />{{Missouri|Missouri}} 

[[Category:Missouri, United States|History]][[Category:Timeline|Missouri]][[Category:United States History]]