Tri-County Genealogical Society

(Vernon-Cedar-St. Clair Counties)

c/o Nevada Public Library

218 West Walnut Street

Nevada, MO  64772

email:  tricountygenealogy@centurytel.net

website:  www.rootsweb.com/~motcogs/

Nevada Library and

Bushwhacker Museum 

 Vernon & Cedar County Missouri

family history research begins here!

Vernon County Courthouse

Nevada, Missouri 

Summary of Vernon County Resources in the

Nevada Public Library Genealogy Department

218 West Walnut Street

Nevada, Missouri  64772

Mon., Wed., Fri.:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tue., Thu.:  9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sat.:  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sun. & Holidays:  Closed

The Tri-County Genealogical Society does not maintain a private research facility; it has placed all of its research resources in public libraries.  Resources in the Nevada Library Genealogy Dept. cannot be checked out of the library or borrowed through interlibrary loan.  The Missouri Newspaper Archives and the Mid-Continent Genealogical Library have interlibrary loan programs.  Please see Request Research to request lookups and research.

Resources in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department are arranged by geographic area; i.e., all Vernon County items are shelved together.  All materials pertaining to other Missouri counties are shelved together, with the counties being arranged alphabetically.  All other states are arranged alphabetically following the Missouri resources.

Items which are arranged by subject include Military, Immigration, Native American, DAR, published genealogies, etc. 

MANY additional resources not listed on this page are available.  Indexes not included in the website search function are marked  # #  and have to be viewed manually.

• History Books of Vernon County

1887 History of Vernon County  # #

1911 History of Vernon County 2-Vol.

2005 Sesquicentennial History Book 2-Vol.

History of Bronaugh-Moundville 1988

History of Nevada/Vernon Co 1955 Centennial

History of Nevada/Vernon Co 1983

History of Schell City 1971

History of Schell City 1997

History of Sheldon  1981

History of Walker  1996

Pioneers of the 20th Century 2000

Various historical sketches and published diaries.

• Marriage Record Indexes

Cass (Van Buren) Co. Marriage Records 1836-1865 (includes the area now Vernon Co.).  See Request Research for additional information about marriage records.

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book A Index 1855-1877    Alpha list of names

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book B  Index 1877-1881    Alpha list of names

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book C Index 1881-1885    A - L     L - Z  # #

         Add. Index

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book D Index 1885-1888    A - F     F - M    M - S

         S - Z      Add. Index  # #

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book E Index 1888-1891    A - C    C - G    G - J

         J - M    M - S    S - W    W - Z  # #

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book F Index 1891-1894    A - C    C - G    G - K

         K - M    M - S    S - W    W - Z   # #

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book G Index 1894-1897    A - C    C - F    F - J

         J - M    M - R    R - V    V - Z   # #

Vernon Co., MO Marriage Book H Index 1897-1900    A - C    C - F    F - J

         J - M    M - R    R - V    V - Z   # #

• Census Records

Census records are available online, in print, microfilm, and on CD.  The 1890 Vernon County Veterans and Widows Census is available in print and on microfilm.

• Cemetery Directory of Vernon County

The 1977 cemetery directory with 4 subsequent updates and 3 indexes is available.  (A new cemetery directory with an every-name index is being developed and is expected out in 2009.) 

Balltown Cemetery Earliest Records (copy).

Hackberry Cemetery Earliest Records (copy).

• Church Records

Church of the Nazarene, Nevada, MO Pictorial Directories 1978, 1989, 1994.

Glade Springs Baptist Church Records.

Moundville Methodist Church Records.

Mount Vernon Methodist Church and Cemetery Records.

• Pre-1909 Recorded Births & Deaths

Some births and deaths were registered in the Vernon County Clerk’s Office from 1883 until 1909, but registering was not required.  Indexes of these early recorded births and deaths are available.

• 1910-1955 Death Certificate Index

A printed copy of the index of death certificates for Vernon Co, MO.  The index is arranged by year and alphabetically for each year.  This is a copy of the internet database information provided by the Missouri State Archives.

• Obituary Card File

Most obituaries published in the Nevada Daily Mail from about 1985 to present are available in an alphabetical card file. 

• Funeral Home Records (indexed)

Beeny Brothers Funeral Home Records 1923-1969 (Sheldon, MO)

Early Nevada Funeral Home Records  1890-1895

Early Nevada Funeral Home Records  1896-1913

Early Nevada Funeral Home Records  1913-1925

Ferry Funeral Home Records  1925-1966 (Nevada, MO)

Hays Funeral Home Records  1918-1970 (Nevada, MO)

Lewis & Son Funeral Home Records, Schell City  1907-1979

Pond Funeral Home Records, Metz  1917-1920

Waggoner Funeral Home Records 1920-1937 (Harwood, MO)

Waggoner Funeral Home Records 1937-1959 (Harwood, MO)

Wainscott & Gammon Funeral Home Records  1884-1925 (Nevada, MO)

• Newspaper Indexes  The following abstracted and indexed newspaper books are available in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department.  Copies of the index books are also available for purchase.  Click on link to see the book's index and how to order copies. 

Birth & Death Notices from Nevada Newspapers 1883-1893 Index

Metz Times Newspaper Index Oct 1904-1906

Metz Times Newspaper Index 1908

Metz Times Newspaper Index 1909-1912

Metz Times Newspaper Index 1913-1915   A - D   D - K   K - R    R - Z  # #

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  Oct.-Dec. 1884

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1885    A - I   J - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1888

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  Nov 1892-Dec 1893    A - D

     E - L   M - R    S - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1894    A - F   G - L   M - R

     S - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1897    A - C   D - H   I - O

     P - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1898    A - E   F - L   M - R

     S - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1900    A - B   C - D   D - G  

     G - J   J - M   M - P   P - S   S - Z  # #

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  1901    A - C   D - J   K - R

     S - Z

Nevada Daily Mail Newspaper Index  Oct. 1927-Dec. 1928

Nevada Daily Mail Index of Births, Deaths, Marriages 1939

Nevada Daily Mail Index of Births, Deaths, Marriages 1941

Nevada Daily Mail Index of Births, Deaths, Marriages Jan 1-Aug 11, 1949

Nevada Noticer Index  Mar 1888-Feb 1889

Nevada Noticer Index  Feb-Dec 1889

Nevada Noticer Index  Jan 1890-Feb 1891

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1901-1907    A - K   L - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1908-1910    A - J   K - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1911-1912

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1913-1916    A - G   H - O   P - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1917-1920    A - D   E - L

     M - S   T - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1921-1924    A - I   J - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1925-1927    A - L   M - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1928-1931    A - C   C - E   E - H

     H - M   M - P   P - S   S - Z  # #

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1932-1935

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1936    A - K   L - Z

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1937

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1938-1940

Sheldon Enterprise Newspaper Index  1941-1948

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  1886    A - R   R - X    # #

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  1887    A - J   J - Z    # #

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  1890

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  1891-1892

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  Jan-Feb 1897; Mar-Dec 1898

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  1899

Lamar Democrat Newspaper Index  Jul 1939-Jan.1940

• Vernon Co., MO Official Records

Copies of Official Vernon County Records on microfilm:

• About 300 rolls of microfilm of Vernon County and Bates County official records were added to the Nevada Library Genealogy Department in July 2006.  Click on the county name to see a detailed list of this microfilm.

• Vernon County Probate Records:  A printed every-name index and accompanying 106 rolls of microfilmed records of cases which were processed in Vernon County Probate Court.  On-line searchable Probate Index.  # #

• Printed Index of all Vernon County Records which are accessible on microfilm at the Vernon County Courthouse.  List of county records on microfilm at http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/county/vernon.pdf  # #

• Newspaper Microfilm

Microfilmed copies of the following newspapers: 

• Bronaugh Journal:  Miscellaneous issues Apr 13, 1910 - Jun 21, 1950 (Vernon Co.)

• El Dorado Springs Sun: Sep 1895-Dec 1960; some missing (Cedar Co.)

• Jerico Springs Optic: Jul 1901-Dec 1937 (Cedar Co.)

• Lamar Democrat: Sep 1882-Jul 1973 (Barton Co.)

• Metz Times: May 1904-Dec 1943; May 1946-Sep 1977 (Vernon Co.)

• Nevada (various papers): 1883 to present, some older issues missing (Vernon Co.)

• Schell City Ledger: Jan 1963-Sep 27, 1973 (Vernon Co.)

• Schell City News: Apr 1922-Oct 1923, only 4 issues (Vernon Co.)

• Sheldon Enterprise: Aug 1901-Nov 1948 (Vernon Co.)

• Walker Herald: May 1892-Apr 1931 intermittent issues (Vernon Co.)

(Click here for a list of Vernon County microfilmed newspapers available at the State Historical Society Newspaper Archives in Columbia, MO.)  # #

• Directories – Nevada City and/or County

Nevada City and/or Vernon County Directories for the years

1890       1898       1900-01  1903-04  1905

1908-09  1913       1920       1923-24  1925-26  1928

1929       1936       1938       1953-54  1963       1966

1968       1970       1972       1974       1976       1977

1979       1981       1983       1985       1986       1987      

1988       1989       1990       1993       1995       1996      

1996-97  1997       1998       2000       2002       2005-06

• County Schools

Readin' 'Ritin', 'n' 'Rithmetic: The Story of Vernon County's Country Schools (Information on the 131 country schools of Vernon County with many photos and lists of students). 

Walker High School "Home of the Purple and Gold."

Various yearbooks for Bronaugh, Metz, Nevada, Northeast Vernon County, St. Francis Academy, Sheldon, and Walker Schools.

Various yearbooks for Cottey College.

• Published Genealogies

Numerous published genealogies of families of Vernon County and Southwest Missouri.  Click here for a detailed list.

• Maps

Vernon County Ownership or Plat Maps for the following years:

     1876     1886     1903     1928     1930     1968    

     1972     1975     1977     1978     1981     1984

     1989     1995     2003     2005    

Missouri Road Map

Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer

U.S. Atlas

Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920

• Military Information

              Civil War

1890 Missouri Census Index of Civil War Veterans or Their Widows

1890 Vernon Co, Missouri Census of Union Veterans with Index

Amnesty in Missouri

Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress

Burial Places of Veterans of the Civil War, Barton County, Missouri

Bushwhackers of the Border (Civil War)

The Civil War: American Heritage Picture History

Civil War Genealogy

Carthage, Battle of, and Carthage in the Civil War

Confederate Agent: A Discovery in History.

Confederate Organizations, Officers and Posts 1861-1865

Confederate Roll of Honor:  Missouri

Confederate Veteran Magazine Jan 1893 through 1931

     (hardbound) and Cumulative Index

Fire and Sword: A Missouri County in the Civil War

Hero of the Red River: The Life and Times of Joseph Bailey

Honor Roll of Oregon Grand Army of the Republic 1881-1935

Roster of the Dept of Missouri Grand Army of the Republic 1895

Indiana Civil War Manuscripts, A Guide to

Knights of the Bush (Civil War)

Marching through Georgia: The story of Soldiers & Civilians During

     Sherman's Campaign

Missouri Military Pensioners 1883, Index to

Missouri's Union Provost Marshal Papers: 1861-1866

     (Barton, Bates, Cedar, Barton, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties)

     (printed copy of online index).

Missouri State Guard: The Forgotten Men

Missouri State Guard: More Forgotten Men

Osages, Bushwhackers, Etc. (Civil War)

To Purge This Land with Blood: A Biography of John Brown

Photographic History of the Civil War in Ten Volumes

The Real World 1861 - 1968

Union Civil War Soldiers Buried in Vernon County, MO

Wilson's Creek, Battle of, August 10, 1861 (Civil War)

Wilson's Creek, Battle of, Civil War Series

              Revolutionary War

A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service with

     their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the

     Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, under the Act for Taking

     the Sixth Census in 1840.

Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Missouri.

A Time for Heroes: The Ancestors' Stories (Missouri DAR submitted stories)

Women Patriots of the American Revolution: A Biographical Dictionary.

              World War I

World War I - Veterans of Vernon County

U.S. Naval Service, Officers and Enlisted Men Who Died During the

     World War 1920

              World War II

World War II - Veterans of Vernon County (Yearbook style with photographs of most)

First Infantry Regiment in World War II

Eighth Special Stevedore U.S. Naval Construction Battalion 1944

     Yearbook

U.S. Naval Construction Eighth Special Battalion Sec III 1943-1945

A Ranger Remembers WW II - Eugene E. Elder

"Mapping was our Mission"  Military History of the 650th Engineer

     Topographic Battalion During WW II Aug 1942 - Apr 1946 from

     Camp White, Oregon to Japan

• Nevada State Hospital #3

Nevada State Hospital Cemetery Plat Map Alphabetical Listing

Newspaper and Funeral Home Abstracts of Nevada State Hospital Patients

The First One Hundred Years of Mental Health Services 1885-1985  # #

Vernon County Insane Notices 1941-44 and 1945-49, Insane Patients Records 1889-1932, State Hospital 1937-39, Warrants 1985, State Hospital Expenditures Patient 1905-1909. (microfilm)

• New Acquisitions

New resources are added to the Genealogy Department each month.

• Missouri County History Books and Miscellaneous Records

County histories published in the 1880-1890s are available for more than 55 Missouri Counties.  Various marriage, probate, census, and cemetery records from numerous Missouri Counties are available.

# #  Item must be viewed manually.