Cole County, Missouri
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites |
Cole County Missouri Map

Cole County was organized November 16, 1820 (effective January 1, 1821) from Cooper County and named for Stephen Cole, pioneer settler and Indian fighter. The County Seat is Jefferson City. See also County History or Courthouse History for more historical details.

Cole County has records of genealogical interest available: Recorder of Deeds: Index to deeds, 1821-1895; Deed records, 1821-1888; Index to marriage records, 1821-1919; Marriage records, 1821-1919; Application for marriage licenses, 1896-1903; Marriage licenses, 1821-1900. Clerk of the County Court: Permanent record of births, 1883-1 906; Register of births, 1883-1906; Register of deaths, 1883-1906. Clerk of the Circuit Court: Index to circuit court records, 1821–1861 and 1870-1930; Circuit court records, 1821-1890. Clerk of the Probate Court: Index to probate records, 1871-1877; Probate records, 1834-1884; Index to probate proceedings, 1834-1887; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1857-1877; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1854-1891; Settlement records, 1875-1890; Will records, 1855-1926. The Health Department has Birth & Death Records from 1910-Present. See Court Records for more details on whats available from the courthouse.

Counties adjacent to Cole County are Boone County (north), Callaway County (northeast), Osage County (southeast), Miller County (southwest), Moniteau County (northwest). Cities and Towns include Centertown, Elston, Eugene, Henley, Jefferson City, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martins, St. Thomas, Taos, Wardsville

  • Cole County, Missouri History Books at Amazon.com
  • Search Historical Newspapers from Missouri (1808 - 1922) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in over 2,800 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
  • Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.
  • Stories, Memories & Histories - Stories and histories compiled by others researching a person or area can be an amazing source of information about your ancestors. Not only do they generally contain dates and places of vital events like birth, marriage, and death, but they often relate stories and memories that help you really get to know the character of your ancestors.
  • Search Missouri Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

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Cole County Court Records

See Also Missouri Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

All Departments below are in the Cole County Courthouse located at P.O. Box 353, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Telephone: (573) 634-9114 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.colecounty.org/ . See also Courthouse History.

PLEASE READ FIRST: Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Cole County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from 1883-1906. In this office in each county is located an index to common pleas, records of all extant proceedings, chancery minute books, records of births and deaths, county court records, right-of-way and road records, as well as surveyor's records (including field notes and plats made by the county surveyor). This office usually holds the county treasurer's notes, bonds and commissions, records of marks and brands, wolf scalps, stray notices, real estate assessments, and tax books. In some counties, early terms for this court included “Chancery” or the “Court of Common Pleas.”

Cole Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1821 and Land Records from 1821. The Office of Recorder of Deeds records and files instruments of writing affecting real property or personal property, subdivision plats, federal and state tax liens, and other instruments of writing. Also, the Recorder’s Office issues marriage licenses, and in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code files termination statements. All recorded instruments are available for public research.

Cole County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1833 . In the smaller counties, probate matters are handled in the same office as the associate circuit court office. (In larger counties, there will be a separate probate court clerk's office and separate probate judges/commissioners).

Cole County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1836. This office holds the direct index to records such as divorces, debt, dissolution of partnerships, adoptions, judgment, and tax fee books including direct and indirect indexes. They also retain the index to criminal records and criminal files of the circuit court. Adoptions are under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. Naturalization records, including petitions, declarations of intention, certificates, and certificates of allegiance, and granting of citizenship are also located in the clerk's office, as well as an index to civil case files. Some naturalization records have been found with the deeds.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Cole County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Missouri

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Please allow up to approximately 6-8 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Birth records maintained by Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dept. of Health since 1903 through the present. For births that occurred within the past 75 years, copies can be requested only by the immediate family of the person whose name is on the birth certificate.
    • Cost: The cost of a birth record is $15 per record, $15 for each additional copy. The cost of a death record is $13 per record, $10 for each additional copy. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $22.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 6-8 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
    • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: To request a certified copy of a marriage license contact the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was obtained.To request a certified copy of a divorce decree contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

Order In Person:To request a birth or death certificate from a local health department, you may download the application and submit it in person or by mail to the nearest local health department.

Order By Mail: Make check or money order payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. A money order must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. Mail to the following address:Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Please include return address on envelope and application form.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Cole County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Missouri

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Cole County, Missouri are 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. The censuses for the years 1810 and 1820 are lost. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Cole County, Missouri are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, , 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Missouri Census, 1830-70: This collection contains the following indexes: 1830 Federal Census Index; 1830-39 Census Index; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1850 Slave Schedules; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1860 Slave Schedules; 1870 Federal Census Index; Early Census Index.
  • Cole County, Missouri Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Cole County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Missouri and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Missouri showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps.

You can view rotating animated maps for Missouri showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Maps. Email us with websites containing Cole County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Cole County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Missouri

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Cole County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The Missouri Historical Society has some original tax records; others can be found in the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri, but most extant records remain in the office of the clerk of the county court. The Missouri State Archives has microfilmed some tax records for the counties of Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Chariton, Clay, Cooper, Franklin, Howard, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, St. Charles, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve.

Prior to 1850, purchasers of the federal lands in Missouri were exempt from land taxes for five years after purchase. If one finds an ancestor on a Missouri tax list with livestock, etc., but no land being taxed, the individual may have purchased his land from the government within the preceding five years.

Some early delinquent tax lists were sent to the state auditor's office and are now located in the Capitol Fire Documents held by the Missouri State Archives

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Cole County, Missouri Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Cole County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Missouri Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Cole County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Cole County Historical Society, 109 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; Phone: (573) 635-1850
  • Missouri Society for Military History, 2007 Retention Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1203
  • Supreme Court of Missouri Historical Society, P.O. Box 448, Jefferson City, MO 65102
  • Missouri Mansion Preservation, P.O. Box 1133, 100 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Phone: (573) 751-4141
  • Genealogical Society of Central Missouri , P.O. Box 26 3801 Ponderosa , Columbia, MO 65205; Phone: (573) 443-8936, [EMAIL]
  • Missouri Forest Heritage Center, P.O. Box 104748, Jefferson City, MO 65110; Phone: (573) 634-6002
  • Mid-Missouri Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 715, Jefferson City, MO 65102
  • Missouri State Archives, Missouri State Information Center, [EMAIL]
    P.O. Box 1747, 600 West Main Str, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Phone:(573) 751-3280, Fax: (573) 526-7333
  • State Historical Society of Missouri, 1020 Lowry Str., Columbia, MO 65201-7298; (573) 882-7083, [EMAIL]
  • Missouri State Genealogical Association, P.O. Box 833, Columbia, MO 65205-0833
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • See the Society page for more statewide Societies and archives
  • Missouri Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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Cole County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Missouri

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Cole County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Cole County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Missouri State Archives has published A Brief Guide to Church Records on Microfilm which is a county by county listing, but it is currently out of print. The available church records can be located by using the Archives' Manuscript Register. Church microfilm rolls are not available for purchase, without written consent of the individual church, and must otherwise be used at the Missouri State Archives. The Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus holds some church records. These can be located by using their descriptive catalogue or microfiche guide. Most church records in Missouri are scattered and remain in private hands

There is no central registry for cemeteries located in Missouri. The following national cemeteries are located in Missouri:

  • Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole Street, Springfield, Missouri 65804. All known soldiers buried there, including those transferred from towns throughout southwest Missouri were published in Ozar'kin
  • Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 101 Memorial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. There is a card file reference to persons interred there. Inquiries may be made by phone or mail.
  • Jefferson City National Cemetery, 1024 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. The researcher may phone or write the Jefferson Barracks for information.

Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Cole County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Cole County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Cole County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

Cole County is in the central part of the state, bounded north by the Missouri River, which separates it from Boone and Callaway counties, east by Osage River, south by Miller, west by Miller and Moniteau counties, and contains 234,466 acres.

As early as 1816, a few families from Kentucky and Tennessee located within the present limits of Cole county. It was organized November 16, 1820, when it was named for the intrepid pioneer, Capt. Stephan Cole. The county seat was located at Marion in 1822, and removed to Jefferson City in 1828. The seat of government of the State was removed from St. Louis to St. Charles in 1821, then to Jefferson City in 1826. The first Capitol Building was completed on October 1, 1826, and the Legislature convened in the building on the third Monday in November. At the time of admission of Missouri into the Union, Congress granted four sections of land for the location of the seat of government. The Constitution fixed the location of the capital upon the Missouri river, within forty miles of the mouth of the Osage River and was located on the site of the present Governor's Mansion. It served as the Executive, Legislative and Judicial headquarters of the state, and provided living quarters for the Governor on the second floor. At the first session of the Legislature commissioners were appointed who, after a tedious examination, selected the present site of Jefferson City, Daniel M. Boone, son of the famous pioneer and Major Elias Bancroft laid off into lots under the superintendence of the commissioners in 1822. Boone was paid the sum of $4.00 for 120 days of work. The first sale of lots took place in May, 1823, under the supervision of Major. Josiah Ramsey, Jr., Capt. J. C. Gordon and Adam Hop, Esq., trustees on the part of the State. The average price paid was $32.75. The streets were planned on a scale which, if followed in later years, would have gone far to alleviate any traffic problems. They were described as "not more than 120 feet wide or less than 80 feet".

At this time there were but two families residing in the place, Major Josiah Ramsey, Jr., and Mr. Wm. Jones. This year (1823) the building of a brick State house was let to the lowest bidder, Daniel Colgan, and afterwards transferred to James Dunnica of Kentucky, who built the capitol at the bid of $25,000. The State house was completed at the stipulated time, and the Legislature assembled in the new State capitol on the third Monday in November, 1826. Up to this date all the families that resided in Jefferson City were Wm. Jones, Josiah Ramsey, Jr., John C. Gordon, Daniel Colgan, Jesse F Roystan, James Dunnica, Harden Casey, Robert A. Ewing, Alexander Gordon, John Dunnica, John P. Thomas, Rueben Garnett, Stephen C. Doriss, James R. Pullen, Christopher Casey, Henry Buckner, Hiram H. Baber, David Scrivner, Samuel Harrison, Geo. Woodward, Terry Scurlock, David Slater, Granville P. Thomas. Robert H. Hones, Azariah Kennedy, Willis Thornton, David Harmon, Wm. Henderson, Mr. Thompson, McDaniel Dorriss and Mr. Moss.

The second State capitol was commenced in 1838, and occupied by the Legislature of 1840-41, and cost about $350,000. The stone for the building was taken from the bluffs near by, along the line of the Pacific Railroad, in front of the city, The limestone for the pillars was from Callaway county. Mr. S. Hills, the architect, here planned one of the best buildings in the west, whether as regards its substantial character, architectural beauty or interior arrangement of the legislative halls and the several State offices. The general surface of the country is high and undulating and covered with a heavy growth of oak, hickory, elm, walnut, ash, sugar maple, buckeye, cottonwood, etc. The bottom lands are rich in soil and heavily timbered; they are also almost entirely free from riparian loss or acquisition. The upland soil is light and warm, with yellow and red clay for a basis, and peculiarly adapted to the production of small grain and fruits of superior quality. The lowlands in the valleys and the margins of the streams will sustain a rank growth of nearly everything native to the temperate zone.

The central part is drained by the Moreau and north fork of the Moreau, both of which furnish execellent water power. The Osage river lies on the eastern boundary, and is navigable far beyond the limits of the county during the freshet season, and by judicious expenditure on the part of the government, could be made a valuable water route. The northern border is washed by the great Missouri, and this, with her railroad connection, gives Cole great facilities for the transportation of produce.

The agricultural productions are wheat, corn, oats, barley and hay. Tabacco of fine quality is also produced and the apple and peach grow in great perfection.

Coal in large quantities exists, and in the western part numerous beads are worked. The coal is generally bituminous, but cannel coal has been excavated in various localities, particularly in the vicinity of Elston and Centertown. Lead has been found in the south and southwestern parts of the county, on either side of the south fork of the Moreau, in great abundance. Rich deposits have been opened south of Russellville and smelting furnaces erected. Kaolin is found in the bluffs of the Osage, though of what quality for usefulness had not been ascertained. Indications of copper are found in the south central part of the county, and iron exists in immense banks within a short distance of the Osage river, but until facilities for transportation are afforded by the improvement of the navigation of the Osage by means of locks and dams, must remain "hidden treasure."

The first courthouse was built for a cost of $24,000. That building was torn down and in 1896 the Courthouse was dedicated, costing $60,000. The Courthouse caught fire gutting the building. In 1918 the Courthouse was rebuilt at a cost of $48,000.

Courthouse History

The home of John Inglish, in Marion, served for Cole County's first court meeting. Three commissioners were appointed to supervise construction of a courthouse built there in 1825 for $748. A portion of the County Court Record is destroyed, but a partial description in the record indicates at least three rooms with brick floors, two outside doors and four shuttered windows. The last session of court in Marion was in February 1829. The courthouse sold for $450.

In Jefferson City, the permanent county seat site, the court first occupied a log house owned by John Gordon. They took temporary quarters in the state capitol in February 1831, then rented the old post office for $50 per year until the courthouse, which was begun in 1836, was completed in 1838.

An appropriation of between $4,000-$5,000 made in February 1836 provided funds for a building reported to be 54 by 54 feet, with hip roof, two stories, the foundation of stone and the front wall of hammered stone. The building was to be similar to the warden's house, a contemporary account noted.

James Dunnica acted as first superintendent. He was later replaced by Henry Robinson. Builders were Thomas L. Ferguson and the contracting firm of Griffith and Crump. The building faced west, 40 feet from the street. The entrance hall was 15 by 25 feet; to the left was the county clerk's office and vault. The courtroom was at the rear of the first floor, and near the entrance to the courtroom was a spiral stairway. The second floor remained unfinished for years; it was rented for special occasions before it was partitioned into county offices. The 1885 Sanborn Map shows a 15-foot frame cupola, but it is missing in the 1892 map.

The building was condemned in 1891, but voters defeated a proposition for a new courthouse. In 1892 the grand jury reported it unsafe and dangerous. Finally, in 1895, voters approved a $60,000 bond issue, providing the means for a new courthouse.

After the state capitol burned in 1837, the Cole County courthouse provided space for the state government. In spite of the historical significance of this courthouse, and the fact that it existed until 1896, illustrations are rare. The building was razed in 1896 and part of the stone (locally called "cotton rock") was used in the new courthouse.

When Cole County prepared to build a new courthouse in 1896, the court received 22 proposals; a reporter for the Daily Tribune briefly described all entries. Two proposed designs were modeled after the state capitol, located only two blocks away. One called for a 130-foot replica of the capitol dome on an Indiana stone building with 32-foot stone columns supporting a 16-foot porticoed entry.

After several days of agonizing deliberations, the court adopted the plans of a local architect, Frank B. Miller (see Figure 2). Miller and A. W. Elsner, both Jefferson City architects, enjoyed the status of favorite sons. Elsner's plan showed more massive proportions. When contractors submitted bids on Miller's plan, they offered two figures based on the use of either Warrensburg or Carthage stone. H. J. Wallau's bid of $47,750, using Carthage stone, was accepted in March 1896. Cornerstone ceremonies were held in July.

The first story was of stone; the second story was of pressed gray brick with copper and stone trim. The tower rose 126 feet from the ground and featured four dials for the clock and an observation platform. County offices were on the first floor. The Circuit Court room, measuring 45 by 63 feet, with a seating capacity of 500, was on the second floor. Total costs came to approximately $60,000.

While vaults provided fire protection for records, 19th century courthouses were often destroyed or damaged by fire. Finding methods of building fireproof courthouses was of increasing concern to county officials. Miller's courthouse plan for Cole County was presented as "practically fireproof," an apt, but unfortunate, description. The building suffered extensive fire damage March 14, 1918. Once again, Miller acted as architect of the repaired building. This courthouse has now been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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