Missouri Genealogy
Genealogy Resources in Iron County, MO and Reynolds County, MO
Resources and links to help you discover
your family history in the
Arcadia
Valley Region and Black River Recreation Area of Missouri
Take a Family History Vacation to our beautiful area!
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Researching your family history in Iron County, Missouri and
Reynolds County, Missouri, is often very challenging. We
are hopeful that the information, resources and links provided
on this website will make things easier for you. We will
attempt to clarify some of the issues that even the most enthusiastic
genealogist may face when researching family history in our
Black River Area and Arcadia Valley Region.
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In the
near future, a more comprehensive website will be completed
which will provide more detailed information including area
cemeteries, prominent regional surnames, and interesting stories
about the brave families that settled here long ago.
Please check back in the near future for a link to our new
comprehensive resource guide.
In the meantime, we hope that by providing a bit of Missouri
history, your research will be a bit easier.
After
the Louisiana purchase in 1800, this region was a part of
the territory of "Louisiana" which included
all or part of present-day Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Idaho. After
Louisiana became a state in 1812, the remaining Upper Louisiana
Territory was renamed the Missouri Territory and
was divided in to five original counties. Our
present Iron and Reynolds counties were considered a part
of the new county of Ste. Genevieve in the brand new Missouri
Territory. For a much more detailed account
of the early history of our region, please click
here.
The Missouri Territory was finally admitted as the 24th state
in the Union in 1821. As more and more new settlers
came to Missouri, these original five counties were divided
and subdivided to serve the needs of the area populations
until ultimately, 114 counties existed as of 1862. Keep
in mind that many of the early settlers moved back and forth
between the areas now known as Reynolds County and Iron County.
In addition, a part of Reynolds County became a part of Iron
County in 1857.
For
those of you researching Reynolds County,
the following information may be helpful. Reynolds County
was formed from land acquired from Shannon County and was
designated as Reynolds County in February of 1845. Between
1812 and 1845, Reynolds County was at various times a part
of the following counties: Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau,
Wayne, Madison, Ripley, Washington and Shannon. It may
be helpful to research the genealogical resources in these
other counties if you are having difficulty uncovering information
in Reynolds County.
To
further complicate Reynolds County genealogical research,
all records prior to 1872 no longer exist. The Reynolds
County Courthouse in Centerville
burned to the ground and all records were destroyed.
Please take our website tour of historic towns, villages and
settlements in Reynolds County. The historical information
will assuredly be helpful to your research.
A vast amount of genealogy research has been done on the early
families of Reynolds County by the dedicated people at the
Reynolds
County Genealogical Society and Museum in Ellington.
Many of the gaps in Reynolds County history have been filled
in through exhaustive research and dedication. This
information is available on site and we encourage you to travel
to our beautiful area to see for yourself. They are
located at 200 S. Main Street in Ellington. Here are
other links that may be helpful to you.
For
those of you researching Iron County,
the following information may be helpful. Iron County,
named for its abundant iron ore, was established in February
of 1857. It was formed from parts of Washington, Wayne,
St. Francois, Madison and Reynolds County. Again, if
you are unsuccessful researching only in Iron County, we suggest
that you search these counties as well for the information
you are seeking. Please
take our website tour of historic towns, villages and settlements
in Iron County that we feel will assist you in your research.
Once again, we are grateful to the many dedicated
people in our area who have spent countless
hours and tremendous energy compiling the information for
our communities. Stop by Whistle
Junction, the home of the Iron County Historical Society and
Museum for assistance in researching your family roots
in Iron County. They are located on Hwy. 21 in Arcadia,
MO.
You may also write to the Historical Society and visit the
website:
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We
hope you'll visit us for a Missouri Family History Vacation!
For a directory of Lodging, Bed and Breakfast Inns, Hotels,
Cabins, Cottages and Campgrounds in Iron and Reynolds County,
please click
here.
Explore our wonderful recreational
opportunities, here. |
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