Description

The fifth book of this Missouri series includes information on counties covered in the previous volumes and also new information on previously covered counties. Census records for Missouri started in 1830, but many travelers and permanent settlers were missed in the census years or only lived in the state between census years. The purpose of this collection is to help the researcher pinpoint his or her ancestors between the census years. Missouri was a gateway to the West-a key location in the nineteenth century. Both the Santa Fe Trail to the southwest and the Oregon Trail to the northwest began at Independence, Missouri. The starting point for the Pony Express, which delivered mail from there west to California, was at St. Joseph, Missouri. Settlers and new immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Poland, Bohemia and Italy flooded into Missouri when statehood was granted in 1821. Through the last half of the nineteenth century, each new Gold Rush lured more people to Missouri on their way to make their fortunes. Here, the author has collected information from newspapers, church and cemetery records, muster books, tax and assessment lists, marriage books, deed books, land owner lists, voter lists and other sources. A list of "dates to remember" covers important historical events in the U.S. from the years 1821 to 1911. The following counties are covered: Atchison, Buchannan, Butler, Caldwell, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Chariton, Grundy, Laclede, Madison, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Polk, St. Louis, Stone, Sullivan, Taney and Texas. There is also a miscellaneous section which includes letters, military lists from several wars, mortality schedules, and much more information about Missourians. A surname index is included.