Cooper 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 |
Cooper County Missouri Map

Cooper County was organized December 17, 1818 (effective February 1, 1819) from Howard County and named for Sarshel (Benjamin) Cooper, pioneer settler. The County Seat is Boonville. See also County History or Courthouse History for more historical details.

Cooper County has records of genealogical interest available: Recorder of Deeds: Index to deeds, 1820-1895; Deed records, 1819-1906; Index to marriage records, 1819-1973; Marriage records, 1819-1918; Negro/colored marriage records, 1865-1866. Court of Common Pleas: Index to common pleas, 1856-1859; Record of common pleas, 1856-1859; Chancery records, 1836-1854. Clerk of the County Court: Register of births and stillbirths, 1883-1894; Permanent record of births, 1883-1889; Permanent record of deaths, 1883-1889. Clerk of the Circuit Court: Index to circuit court records, 1821-1894; Circuit court records, 1821-1888. Clerk of the Probate Court: Index to probate records, 1849-1900; Probate records, 1847-1887; Index to probate minutes, (no dates); Probate minutes, 1860-1903; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1819-1891; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1847-1887; Settlement records, 1880-1886; Will records, 1818-1918. 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 Cooper County are Howard County (north), Boone County (northeast), Moniteau County (southeast), Morgan County (south), Pettis County (west), Saline County (northwest). Cities and Towns include Blackwater, Boonville, Bunceton, Clifton City, Otterville, Pilot Grove, Prairie Home, Wooldridge

  • Cooper 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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Cooper 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 Cooper County Courthouse located at 200 N. Main St., Room 26, Boonville, MO 65233; Telephone: (660) 882-2232 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.mo-river.net/Government/coopercounty_gov.htm . 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.

Cooper County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from 1883-94 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.”

Cooper Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1819 and Land Records from 1819. 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.

Cooper County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1819 . 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).

Cooper County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1821. 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 Cooper County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Cooper 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 Cooper County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Cooper 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 Cooper 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 Cooper 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 Cooper County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper 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.
  • Cooper 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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Cooper 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 Cooper County Maps. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Cooper 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 Cooper County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Cooper 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 Cooper County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Cooper County, Missouri Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Cooper 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 Cooper County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Cooper County Historical Society, Box 51, Pilot Grove, MO 65276
  • Boonslick Historical Society of Cooper and Howard Counties, 811 7th Street Terrace, Boonville, MO 65233; (660) 882-6370
  • William Clarke Quantrill Society, P.O. Box 33, Boonville, MO 65233; Phone: (660) 882-7821, [EMAIL]
  • Friends of Historic Boonville, P.O. Box 1776, 614 East Morgan, Boonville, MO 65233; Phone: (660) 882-7977, [EMAIL]
  • Genealogical Society of Central Missouri, P.O. Box 26 3801 Ponderosa , Columbia, MO 65205; Phone: (573) 443-8936, [EMAIL]
  • 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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Cooper 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 Cooper County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Cooper 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 Cooper County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Cooper 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 Cooper County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Cooper County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

Boonville is the oldest town in Central Missouri and is located in the very heart of the historic Boon's Lick Country. It was settled in February, 1810 by a party of pioneers which included Hannah Cole, a widow, and her family of nine children and Stephen Cole, her brother-in-law, with his wife, Phoebe, and their five children. The Coles were the first white settlers to locate on the south side of the Missouri River west of St. Louis.

The early period of Boonville's history was occasionally marked by the violence of skirmishes with the Sac and Fox Indians who roamed this area before their relocation in 1814. When the Indians became hostile in 1812, the Coles moved to the safety of the forts on the north side of the river. When they returned to the south shore in 1814 they fortified Hannah Cole's cabin because of its excellent location on the river bluffs and its access to fresh water. After 1814 other settlers soon came to build their homes in and around her fort and, in July, 1816, the fort became the site of the first county court for Howard County.

Boonville, named for Daniel Boone, became the center of the Boon's Lick Country, an area where the soil was reputed to be the most fertile in the United States Territory. It also was near the intersection of ancient Indian Trails whose unchanging importance to centuries of travelers - from the Boon's Lick Trail to the later Santa Fe Trail -has been preserved by the modern interstate highways of today.

Boonville's early history was recounted first in A History of Cooper County. Missouri, written and published in 1876 by Henry C. Levens and Nathaniel M. Drake. This was in compliance with a resolution of Congress and by Proclamation of the President of the United States commemorating the centennial of America. Much of this early material is based upon personal recollections of surviving children of Hannah Cole, particularly her youngest son, Samuel Cole. The Levens and Drake history is still considered authoritative for this period.

Boonville was laid out as a town in 1817 by Asa Morgan for whom Morgan Street is named, and Charles Lucas. The first lots were sold in 1819 and recorded by a Mr. A. Fuller as bringing "a fabulous price". A donation by Morgan and Lucas of 50 acres secured Boonville as the county seat for Cooper County, formed in 1818 and named for Colonel Benjamin Cooper who had led the Coles into the Boon's Lick area.

Boonville's position on the Missouri River, highway of the frontier, brought settlers and merchandise to its wharves and caused rapid development of a prosperous river trade. Situated at a point where the Ozark uplands meet the western prairies, the Santa Fe Trail and other overland commercial routes were opened to the south and southwest. Boonville merchants vied with Boonville fur trappers and traders, explorers, soldiers and educators in opening the western empire for settlement. A roster of Boonville's early citizens reads like a "Who's Who" of the frontier and includes such famous people as George Graham Vest, David Barton, William Ash and George Caleb Bingham.

Boonville was incorporated by the State of Missouri on February 10,1839 and enjoyed a continuous and prosperous growth during the 30 years preceding the Civil War. With the outbreak of conflict, Boonville's strategic location on the Missouri River made it a pawn of opposing forces. On June 17,1861, a month before Bull Run, the First Battle of Boonville was fought one mile east of the city. Federal troops, commanded by General Nathaniel Lyon, defeated a force of Missouri State Confederate troops led by Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson. Military strategists consider it had an important bearing on keeping Missouri in the Union and the Missouri River under Union control. A marker on the courthouse lawn, erected by the John A. Hayn Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, commemorates the Battles of Boonville, June 17 and September 13, 1861, and the "capture of Boonville" by General Sterling Price's Confederate Army on October 14,. 1864.

Courthouse History

At the March term of Circuit Court in 1819 the circuit judge appointed three commissioners to locate and superintend the building of a courthouse and jail for Cooper County. Eight persons promised to donate 50 acres if the county seat were located in Boonville. At the September term in 1820 the commissioners reported they reserved places for the courthouse and jail on the 50 acres, and the remainder of the property would be surveyed into lots, streets and alleys. Lots sold at public auction September 2, 1820, brought $16,245.25.

On March 21, 1821, the commissioners let to the lowest bidder, William C. Porter (or Potter) and Willis Kempshall, for $9,699, the building of a brick courthouse about 40 feet square, with stone foundation and two stories, one room below, two jury rooms above. Some alterations were made in the plan before the building was completed in 1823.

In 1831 a brick floor replaced the wooden one on the first floor, and additional work was done on the second-story gallery floor. At the July term of court in 1838 the courthouse was ordered to be sold at public auction. When the building was razed, some of the brick was reportedly used in the next courthouse.

The $9,000 cost would have been a great sum in 1821. The county used the courthouse for only 15 years before replacing it, certainly not a typical lifespan for such a costly building.

In May 1838 the County Court ordered a portion of the public square to be laid off into lots and sold to raise funds in order to build a larger courthouse. The site for the courthouse was retained but reduced in size; it overlooked the river and provided an excellent view from the cupola. Specific instructions for dividing the public square were recorded in the County Court Record.

A model and plan of the courthouse were filed with the county clerk. The court appropriated $10,800. Subsequent appropriations for the courthouse brought the total to approximately $30,000, again a very high figure for the time. The court ordered the second story to remain unfinished until a later date, and requested that the ornamental work remain simple.

The County Court received the building at the August term in 1840. Jacob Wyan and Charles W. Johnson were commissioners. Seltcer and McCullough were the contractors.

This building served Cooper County until 1911, when commissioners who reported on the building declared it unfit. It was sold to W. J. Cochran, contractor for the 1912 courthouse, for $300 and demolished in March of 1912.

Petitions to the court asking for a $100,000 bond issue to finance a new courthouse resulted in an election in June 1911. The town of Boonville made a contribution of $15,000 toward construction. Plans of R. G. Kirsch for a three-story, 80-by-100-foot building were accepted, and the contract was given to W. J. Cochran of Boonville for about $95,000.

Cornerstone ceremonies were conducted July 9, 1912, and the building was received by the court September 15, 1913. The main facade of the building faces Fifth Street, which became the principal artery through town.

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