Miller 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 |
Miller County Facts
Ralls County Missouri Map

Miller County was organized February 6, 1837, from Cole and Pulaski counties and named for John Miller, governor of Missouri. The County Seat is Tuscumbia. See also County History or Courthouse History for more historical details.

Miller County has records of genealogical interest available: Recorder of Deeds: Index to deeds, 1871-1944; Deed records, 1837-1944; Index to marriage records, 1837-1917; Marriage records, 1837-1917; Register of marriage licenses, 1887-1928. Clerk of the County Court: Permanent record of births, 1883-1891; Register of births and stillbirths, 1883-1891; Permanent record of deaths, 1883-1902; Register of deaths, 1883-1904; Record of brands and marks, 1837-1899; Register of state board of health certificates, 1883-1914; Roll of physicians and surgeons, 1883-1915. Clerk of the Circuit Court: Circuit court records,1837-1888. Clerk of the Probate Court: Probate records, 1837-1889; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1837-1902; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1855-1886; Proof of publication, notices and affidavits, 1868-1885; Settlement records, 1849-1886; Will records, 1840-1931. 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 Miller County are Moniteau County (north), Cole County & Osage County (northeast), Maries County (east), Pulaski County (south), Camden County (southwest), Morgan County (west). Cities and Towns include Bagnell, Brumley, Eldon, Etterville, Iberia, Kaiser, Lake Ozark, Lakeside, Olean, Osage Beach, St. Elizabeth, Tuscumbia, Ulman

  • Miller 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....

Back to top

Miller 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 Miller County Courthouse located at P.O. Box 12, Tuscumbia, MO 65082; Telephone: (573) 369-2731 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://millercountymissouri.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.

Miller County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from 1883-1904. 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.”

Miller Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1837 and Land Records from 1837. 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.

Miller County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1837. 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).

Miller County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1837. 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 Miller County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Miller County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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

Back to top

Miller 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 Miller County, Missouri are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Miller 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 Miller County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Miller 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.
  • Miller 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.
Back to top

Miller 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 Miller County Maps. Email us with websites containing Miller County Maps by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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

Back to top

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

  • Miller County, Missouri Tax Books at Amazon.com
Back to top

Miller 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 Miller County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Miller County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Miller County Historical Society, P.O. Box 57, Highway 52 West, Tuscumbia, MO 65082
  • Seeking ‘N Searching Ancestors, 270 Brushy Creek Road, St. Elizabeth, MO 65075; Phone: (573) 793-6998
  • Mid-Missouri Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 715, Jefferson City, MO 65102
  • Ozarks Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3945, 534 West Catalpa, Springfield, MO 65808; Phone: (417) 831-2773 [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
Back to top

Miller 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 Miller County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Miller 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 Miller County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Miller County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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 Miller County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Miller County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Extended History

 

Here in Missouri's central Ozarks, Miller County was originated 1837, and named for Missouri Governor
John Miller. In territory ceded by Osage (French pronunciation for Wazhazhe Indians) 1808, the county
was first settled 1807, by Wiliam West. Early pioneers were from Kentucky., Tennessee, and Virginia.
Two major Indian trails ran through the county.

Tuscumbia, the county seat, was laid out 1837, and named for Tuscumbia (Chickasaw for Warrior Who
Kills), Alabama. The town site, given by J. B. and J. P. Harrison, had been an Indian trading camp. On
scenic osage river bluffs, below Bagnell dam, the town was once a noted Osage Riverport and a number
of steamboats were built there.

In the Civil War, minor skirmishes and guerrila raids halted county growth. From the 1870's to early
1900's, lead mining first begun in 1850's, was carred on and the vast timber resources were harvested.
In 1882, a branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built to Bagnell, then a leading railroad tie shipping
point. In 1903, today's Chicago, Rock Island and Paciifc Railroad was built through northern Miller County.


Miller County, through which flows the Osage River, is a resort, farm, and lumber area. Frenchman
Charles Du Tisne, on an exploring trip in 1719, crossed the county south of the Osage, and in 1806,
Zebulon M. Pike's Southwest expedition camped along the river. Bagnell Dam, forming Lake of the
Ozarks, was built on the Osage in the county by Union Electric Company of Missouri, 1929-31.

Iberia, south of the Osage, laid out 1860, was the home of Iberia (Congregational) Academy, later a junior
college. 1890-1951 established by G. Byron and mable (White) Smith. Other county towns include
Ulman, settled in 1840's; Brumley and Saint Elizabeth, founded in 1870's; Olean and Eldon, resort town
and railroad center, 1882; Etterville and Kaiser, early 1900's; Lake Ozark 1932. Early schools were
Miller County Institute at Spring Garden, 1870; Miller County Academy at Aurora Springs, 1881; Eldon
Academy, 1886.

Of interest are Bagnell Dam, Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Miller and Camden counties, found 1935;
Aurora Springs, noted Spa of late 1800's and Stark Caverns, born near Eldon; and Wilson's Cave near
Iberia.

Courthouse History

Miller County attempted to build a courthouse in Tuscumbia in 1838. In February judges appropriated $400 and advertised for construction, but received no bids. The court tried again in 1839, appropriating $250 and appointing Hardin M. Williams superintendent. This time they succeeded when John Davis, one of the judges, submitted a low bid of $199.

The 32-by-20-foot, hewn-log building had a stone foundation, rough plank floor, hewn boards covering the cracks (apparently board and batten construction) and a gable roof. A partition wall divided the courthouse into two rooms.

Davis completed his work during August 1840. Finishing work continued until May 1841. Repairs on the building in 1843 and 1847 still did not provide satisfactory accommodations, and the clerk twice sought quarters elsewhere. Finally, in 1858, as preparations were made for a new facility, the courthouse of 1839-40 was ordered sold to the highest bidder.

Petitions from citizens asked for a new courthouse in 1856, and the court made an initial appropriation of $4,000. The court awarded the contract to Robert McKim and Robert Ainsworth for $6,000 in November 1857. They built a two-story, brick, 56-by-40-foot courthouse, on a plan which the court accepted from Owen Riggs, the superintendent. The brick was made locally, but the masonry was of such poor quality the court had it painted with two coats of red paint. The court accepted the completed building in February 1859. This courthouse continued in use into the 20th century.

Numerous attempts to vote bonds for a new courthouse were defeated, partly because there was some desire to relocate the county seat. In 1909 one prominent citizen encouraged relocation advocates to stop talking about it, because, he said, "Elephants will turn to ants and flies to dianasauruses [sic] before the county seat is removed from Tuscumbia."

The following month the court decided to repair the old courthouse, for approval by vote was not necessary when repairing county property. On November 6, 1909, the clerk was ordered to contact different architectural firms for a remodeling design. The court then commissioned the Jefferson City firm of Miller and Opel, who presented a plan that reversed the previous arrangement by putting the courtroom on the second floor, with offices on the first.

Wings were added to the north and south of the central block, which had been the 1858 courthouse. The court awarded a contract April 14, 1910, for veneering the sides of the old building with native limestone and making two 28-by-50-foot additions, increasing the size of the building to 110 by 50 feet. P. F. Havenstein (or Hauenstein) and R. T. Roberts received the contract for $13,800.

Finally the county did need to pass a $10,000 bond issue to finish the project. W. W. Whitlock received the contract in September 1913 for $8,483 to complete the remodeling. He finished the work in December 1913.

Back to top
Missouri Site Map | | Real Time Web Analytics by Clicky | Copyright © 2009 Genealogy Inc,