Greene County, Missouri Genealogy
Guide to Greene County, Missouri ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for Nathanael Greene. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Greene County Courthouse
940 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
Phone: 417-868-4068
Greene County Website
County Archives and Recorder has probate, court, tax and land records from 1833, military discharge records, divorce records 1837-1950, birth and death records 1883-1890 and 1876 local census records.[3]
Greene County, Missouri Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1883 | 1833 | 1883 | 1833 | 1833 | 1833 | 1830 |
Record Loss
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1861 Fire destroyed the Courthouse on October 28, 1861. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places in Greene County, MO, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTownLocator.
The State Historical Society of Missouri has information on historical Missouri place names for all 114 Missouri Counties.
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Greene County, Missouri published Greene County Archives Bulletins from at least 1988 to 1995. These bulletins included guides and indexes to several types of records for the county, including divorce records, Circuit Court records, naturalization records, coroner's record books, stray records, Alms House records, etc. A listing of the contents of these bulletins is available online. Most of the specific titles are included in the descriptions of the records under the appropriate record type below.
Many of the early records of Greene County have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has burial records for Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries including Springfield National Cemetery and Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Mo.
- Missouri Cemeteries Missouri Genealogy Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 5,372 | — |
| 1850 | 12,785 | 138.0% |
| 1860 | 13,186 | 3.1% |
| 1870 | 21,549 | 63.4% |
| 1880 | 28,801 | 33.7% |
| 1890 | 48,616 | 68.8% |
| 1900 | 52,713 | 8.4% |
| 1910 | 63,831 | 21.1% |
| 1920 | 68,698 | 7.6% |
| 1930 | 82,929 | 20.7% |
| 1940 | 90,541 | 9.2% |
| 1950 | 104,923 | 15.9% |
| 1960 | 126,276 | 20.4% |
| 1970 | 152,929 | 21.1% |
| 1980 | 185,302 | 21.2% |
| 1990 | 207,949 | 12.2% |
| 2000 | 240,391 | 15.6% |
| 2010 | 275,174 | 14.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- 1732-1933 Missouri State and Territorial Census Records, 1732-1933 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Church Records
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Missouri denominations, view the Missouri Church Records wiki page.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Catholic
Immaculate Conception, Springfield
- 1872-1876 Immaculate Conception, Springfield, Baptism Index 1872-1876. Batch C511781 at FamilySearch.[7]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Springfield
Court Records
When Greene County was formed in 1833, a Circuit Court was established and has continued to the present day. Historically there were at least four other courts in Greene County.[8] See Greene County, Missouri Court Records for a more complete description of these courts and their records.
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Missouri Land and Property for information about records of land transfers from the government to private ownership. After that transfer, transactions were usually recorded and are currently housed at the county courthouse.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Greene County, Missouri Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the Wiki page section Missouri Local Histories.
- A Brief History of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri, 1852-1927, by M. M. Richardson. Springfield, Mo.: Elkins-Swyers Co., 1927. Online at: FamilySearch
- History of Greene County, Missouri. St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883. Online at: Google Books, Missouri Digital History
- History of Missouri's Counties, County Seats, and Courthouse Squares, by Marian M. Ohman. Missouri: Missouri State Library, 1983. Online at: Missouri Digital History
- Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri, by Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck. Indianapolis, Indiana: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1915. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch, Missouri Digital History; Vol. 2 - FamilySearch, Missouri Digital History
- Personal Reminiscences and Fragments of the Early History of Springfield and Greene County, Missouri, by Martin J. Hubble. Springfield, Missouri: Inland Printing Co., 1914. Online at: Family Search, Missouri Digital History
- Pictorial and Genealogical Record of Greene County, Missouri. Greene County Archives and Records Center. Chicago: Goodspeed Brothers Publishing, 1893. Available through the FamilySearch Catalog.
- Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region. Missouri: Missouri State Library, 1884. Online at: Missouri Digital History
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Missouri (1804-1889)
- Missouri County Plat Books collection at Missouri Digital Heritage. Search by county.
- Plat Books of Missouri collection at Digital Library, University of Missouri. Select county.
- Missouri As It Is In 1867. 1867. by Nathan II. Parker. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Online at: Missouri Digital History
- Map of Greene County townships (Histopolis)
- 1904 Plat Map of Greene County (Historic MapWorks)
- Map of 1904 Greene County with numerous small settlements (My Genealogy Hound)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1900-1941 Missouri, Pre-WWII Adjutant General Enlistment Contracts, 1900-1941 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Hulston Library
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1911-1938 Missouri, Confederate Pension Applications and Soldiers Home Applications, 1911-1938 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- Confederate pension rolls on microfilm for Missouri at the Local History and Genealogy Department of The Library Center (Springfield-Greene County Library District)
Regiments
Service men in Greene County, Missouri served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Greene County, Missouri:
Civil War Battles
The following Civil War Battles were fought in Greene County.[9]
- August 10, 1861 - Wilson’s Creek.
- October 25, 1861 - Springfield I, also known as Zagonyi’s Charge.
- January 8, 1863 - Springfield II.
- Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.
World War II
- 1940-1945 Missouri, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1941-1946 Missouri, Reports of Separation Notices, 1941-1946 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Naturalization and Citizenship
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1843-1991 United States, Missouri, Naturalization Records, 1843-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- Local History and Genealogy Department at the Springfield-Greene County Library has Springfield newspapers on microfilm back well into the 1800s.
- Missouri Digital Newspaper Project at Missouri State Historical Society
- 1800s-Current Missouri, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
Poorhouse
Greene County had a poor farm that was a support for ill or indigent people of the county. It was initially called the County Poor Farm, then the County Home, and in 1955 became Sunshine Acres. It was closed in 1978. Registers of those who were cared for by this facility have been indexed for the years 1875 to 1955. The index is available online in two parts:
- An Index to the Register of the Alms House, 1875-1923
- An Index to the Register of the Alms House, 1916-1955
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records include wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. For further information, see United States Probate Records.
In Missouri, probate records have usually been recorded by the clerks of the probate courts, but in some counties the common pleas or circuit courts handled this function. They are frequently indexed.
A Guide to the Records of the Probate Court of Greene County is available online as published in the County Archives Bulletins. These records, including wills, inventories, settlements, and other probate documents, are part of the records of the Circuit Court and its divisions. Many have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and through their FamilySearch centers.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1750-1988 Missouri Probate Records 1750-1998 at FamilySearch — images - How to Use this Collection
- 1766-1988 Missouri Wills and Probate Records 1766-1988 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and slaves aged 21 to 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district. For more information see the wiki page Missouri Taxation.
Tax lists have been abstracted for 1833-1835, 1843, 1851, 1856, and 1890. These can be found at the Local History & Genealogy department at The Library Center (Springfield-Greene County Library).
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. For additional guidance on researching and using vital records, see United States Vital Records or How to order Missouri Vital Records.
St. Louis and Kansas City recorded births and deaths starting as early as 1850 for deaths and 1870 for births. The Missouri Department of Health began keeping birth and death records in 1909. County records vary by year and the county. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Missouri Vital Records State Department of Health, the County Clerk's office or order electronically online.
The vital records kept by the courts and other offices in Greene County include documents relating to marriages, divorces, and deaths. See Greene County, Missouri Vital Records for a more complete description of these records and their indexes.
Birth
- Pre-1910 Missouri Birth and Death Records Database, Pre-1910 at Missouri Digital Heritage - index.
- 1817-1939 Missouri Births, 1817-1939 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1827-1935 Missouri, Births and Christenings, 1827-1935 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1851-1910 Missouri Birth Records, 1851-1910 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1910-2022 Missouri, Birth Index, 1920-2015 at Reclaim the Records — index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1910-Onward Missouri Births at MyHeritage — index ($)
Marriage
- 1750-1920 Missouri, Marriages, 1750-1920 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1776-1988 Missouri, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1805-2002 Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 at Ancestry ($)
- 1850 Missouri Marriages to 1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
- Marriage records, Greene County, Missouri at Ancestry ($)
- Marriage records, Greene County, Missouri at Greene County Recorder's Office
Death
- Pre-1910 Missouri Birth and Death Records Database, Pre-1910 at Missouri Digital Heritage - index.
- 1834-1910 Missouri, Death Records, 1834-1910 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1867-1976 Missouri, Deaths and Burials, 1867-1976 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1883-1930 Missouri Deaths, 1883-1930 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1910-1960 Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1969 at Missouri Digital Heritage - index & images.
- 1968-2022 Missouri, Death Index, 1968-2015 at Reclaim the Records — index; Also at: MyHeritage ($); Ancestry ($)
- 1968-Onward Missouri, Deaths at MyHeritage — index ($)
Divorce
Voting Records
- 1801-Onward Missouri, Voter Registrations at MyHeritage — index ($)
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Greene County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Missouri Archives and Libraries.
Greene County Archives & Records Center
1126 N Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
Phone: 417-868-4021
Website
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Springfield Missouri FamilySearch Center
- Springfield Missouri South FamilySearch Center
- Springfield Missouri YSA FamilySearch Center
- Willard Missouri FamilySearch Center
- Ozarks Genealogical Society, Inc. - an affiliate library
- Springfield-Greene County Library District - an affiliate library
- The State Historical Society of Missouri - Springfield - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Greene County. For state-wide library facilities, see Missouri Archives and Libraries.
Springfield-Greene County Library District
Website
Multiple locations
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Greene County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Missouri Societies.
Greene County Historical Society
P.O. 3466
Springfield, MO 65808
Email: gcmohs@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Ozarks Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 3945
Springfield, MO 65808
Phone: 417-831-2773
Email: ogs@ozarksgs.org
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Missouri Digital Heritage. digital images of many types of records from institutions across the State.
- USGenWeb Archives
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Missouri. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Greene County, Missouri," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greene_County,_Missouri, accessed 9/11/2018
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Missouri. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Greene County, Missouri. Page 397-407 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 393-397.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Missouri. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Greene County, Missouri," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, Greene County Missouri, accessed Sep 2019.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/5/5a/Igimissouria.pdf.
- ↑ Guide to the Courts of Greene County, Missouri available online.
- ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.