Oregon County History and Information

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Oregon County Missouri Map

Oregon County was organized February 14, 1845, from Ripley County and named for the Territory of Oregon. The County Seat is Alton. Courthouse burned in Civil War. See also County History or Courthouse History for more historical details.

Oregon County has records of genealogical interest available: Recorder of Deeds: Index to deeds, 1845-1898; Deed records, 1845-1915; Patent records, 1887-1909; Marriage records, 1845-1861 and 1877-1924. Clerk of the County Court: Permanent record of births, 1883-1887; Register of births and stillbirths, 1883-1890; Register of deaths, 1883-1889. Clerk of the Circuit Court: Index to circuit court records, 1845-?; Circuit court records, 1845-1859 and 1872-1889; Naturalization records, 1889-1904. Clerk of the Probate Court: Index to probate records, (no dates); Probate records, 1857-1890; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1854-1892; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1883-1935; Settlement records, 1873-1892; Will records, 1854-1938. 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 Oregon County are Shannon County (north), Carter County (northeast), Ripley County (east), Randolph County, Arkansas (southeast), Sharp County, Arkansas (south), Fulton County, Arkansas (southwest), Howell County (west). Cities and Towns include Alton, Bardley, Couch, Koshkonong, Myrtle, Thomasville, Thayer

  • Oregon County, Missouri History Books at Amazon.com
  • Search Historical Newspapers from Missouri (1808 - 1922) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 125 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in more than 500,000 issues of over 2,500 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.
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Oregon County Court Records

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

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....

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 Oregon County Courthouse located at P.O. Box 324, Alton, MO 65606; Telephone: (417) 778-7475 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at ? . 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. In October 1863 this courthouse was burned in a Civil War incident, destroying many county records.

Oregon County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from 1883-90. 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.”

Oregon Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1845-61; 1877 and Land Records from 1845. 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.

Oregon County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1854 . 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).

Oregon County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1845-59; 1872. 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 Oregon County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Oregon County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Oregon 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 Oregon County, Missouri are 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Oregon 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 Oregon County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Oregon 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.
  • Oregon 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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Oregon 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 Oregon County Maps. Email us with websites containing Oregon County Maps by clicking the link below:

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

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

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

  • South Central Missouri Genealogical Society , 9 Court Square, West Plains, MO 65775
  • Oregon County Genealogical Society, c/o Oregon County Courthouse, Alton, MO 65791
  • Historical Society of Oregon County, Route 2, Box 3A, Koshkonong, MO 65692; Ph: (417) 867-3285
  • 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
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Oregon 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 Oregon County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Oregon 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 Oregon County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Oregon 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 Oregon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Oregon County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

Alton History
The discovery of the Eleven Point River by an English speaking traveler is credited to Edmund Jennings, a North Carolina man who hunted, trapped, and fished with the Indians in the region about 1800 and referred to the area as the County of the Six Boils, or the Six Great Springs. Among which were probably Big, Mammoth, Greer, Boze, and Blue Springs. Credit is given to Charles Hatcher as the first pioneer of the Eleven Point River who settled near the present town of Thomasville about 1809, naming his home Rich Hill when the territory was part of New Madrid County.

Oregon county, with its county seat at Alton, is located in the south-central part of Missouri. Various Indian tribes roamed this area until 1809 when pioneers, mostly from Tennessee and Kentucky, began to settle this area. Oregon County was formally organized in 1845 and got its name from the western territory of Oregon. Oregon County was originally much larger than its present size. However, in 1859, Oregon County was split to form Howell County, which now lies directly to the west. Consequently, Thomasville, which was the first county seat of Oregon County and located on the Eleven Point River, was no longer near the geographic center of the county and a new county seat had to be established. At this time the county seat was moved to the more centralized location of Alton, Missouri, where a new courthouse was constructed. Probably the first two businesses established in Alton were the general merchandise store and a grist mill by John Crawley and Judge John L. Keel, respectively. The Oregon County Courthouse was completed in 1860.

Oregon County was pro-Confederate during the Civil War though Union troops occupied the County Courthouse during part of the war. When Union troops vacated the building on October 21, 1863, they burned both it and the grist mill. The county records were saved as Matthew G. Norman and other officials hid them in a Piney Creek cave on the Norman Farm. The grist mill was reopened and continued operation until the mid 1920's. The school house in Alton was destroyed by fire in the 1890's and was replaced by a longer and more modern building. The school district is now the pride of Alton with an enrollment of 732, which is greater than the population of the town itself (692). Along with the their public buildup, there was an increase in residential development, some of which still stand today. A new courthouse was built on the old foundation in 1871 at the cost of $5,795. This courthouse was remodeled, had a third floor added in 1903-1904, and served until 1939 when it was vacated and demolished in order to make room for a more modern structure. Construction of the present courthouse began in 1939 by the W.P.A. and was completed and became official on February 1, 1942. The courthouse has stood since that time and has only recently had the addition of an elevator to serve its three floors.

Alton is located near the beautiful Eleven Point River, although not a national park, a 44 mile portion of the Eleven Point between Thomasville and the SR 142 bridge was designated in 1968 as a National Scenic River under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. The river is fed by some of Missouri's most beautiful springs; its lower section , doubled by Greer Spring is floatable all year. Stocked with trout for the first eleven miles below the spring, this cool, fast stream flows near scenic areas like the Irish Wilderness.

Courthouse History

In 1847 the Oregon county Court ordered a 20-foot-square, hewn-log courthouse of two stories to be built in Thomasville, the first county seat of Oregon County. John R. Woodside served as superintendent. The two-story building, erected on the square, cost about $140. Specifications recorded in the county record are reprinted in Lewis A. W. Simpson's book, Oregon County's Three Flags, and a drawing illustrates the description.

When the county seat was moved to Alton, the court ordered the old courthouse to be sold in February 1860. It brought $105

The court appropriated a total of $4550 for a courthouse to be built in Alton on the square. G. W. Reed (or Read) contracted the building and when it was completed in August 1861 he received $75 to cove additional finishing.

In October 1863 this courthouse was burned in a Civil War incident. At the conclusion of the war the court occupied temporary quarters in Alton. After considering building a new courthouse, the court decided to rebuild on the old foundation instead. In November 1870 the court ordered W. Hupers to draft a plan to suit the old foundation, so the designs were probably similar.

The Court appropriated $8000 for the rebuilding in February 1871 and appointed Samuel W. Greer, a commissioner, to draw the plan and superintend the building. The court accepted Greer's plan and ordered him to advertise for bids. The commissioners gave the contract to J. F. Kidwell for $5,795 in June 1871.

Construction apparently was underway in October 1871 after the foundation had been cleaned out. Since Fig. 1 is an undated photograph, it may be the 1861 or the 1871 rebuilding. If it is the 1861 courthouse, the 1871 rebuilding may have used the segmental arches.

In March 1903 a grand jury recommended improvements, which a local paper noted were badly needed. In July 1903 the court asked for contractors for bids on improvements, which included a 22-foot addition, new roof and three fireproof vaults. W. E. Wadsworth submitted the lowest bid and filed a bond. By April 1904 the work, which cost about $5,100, was nearly completed. The old building raise 13 inches and both old and new enclosed with a mansard roof, which created a third story.

The building of 1861, rebuilt in 1871 and enlarged with 22-foot extension in 1903-04, was razed in October 1939 as preparations for the present courthouse began.

Because government funds were available in the 1930s, Oregon County took steps to build a new courthouse by authorizing bonds amounting to $25,000 in January 1939. A Work Projects Administration grant for almost $75,000 brought the total to $100,000.

The court secured plans from Earl Hawkins, a Springfield architect, for a three-story building with offices on the first floor and on the sides of the second. The courtroom occupied the center of the second and third stories. On the sides of the third story were the jail and a local lodge.

Oregon County citizens preferred using local stone, but Ironton red granite was finally chosen since it cost less than quarrying native Oregon County stone. The court received the building from the W. P. A. in February 1942

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