Webster County, Missouri Genealogy
Guide to Webster County, Missouri ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for Daniel Webster. The County is located in the south center area of the state. [2]
County Courthouse
Webster County Courthouse
100 Crittenden Street
Marshfield, MO 65706
Phone: 417-468-2223
Webster County Website
County Clerk has birth records 1883-1893 and death records 1883-1887.
Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce and court records.
Probate Judge has probate records.
County Recorder (contact info below) has marriage and land records.[3]
Webster County Recorder
PO Box 546
101 S Crittenden, Rm 16
Marshfield, MO 65706
Phone: 417-859-5882
Fax: 417-468-3843
Email: recorder@webstercountymo.gov
Webster 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 | 1855 | 1883 | 1855 | 1854 | 1869 | 1830 |
Record Loss
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1863 Courthouse was burned. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Missouri county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Missouri County Boundary Maps" (1804-1889) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places
The following are locations in Webster County, Missouri:
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- The State Historical Society of Missouri has information on historical Missouri place names for all 114 Missouri Counties.
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Family Biographies from The History of Webster County, Missouri (1889) published by Goodspeed are available free on the My Genealogy Hound website.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- Missouri Cemeteries Missouri Access Genealogy
Census Records
- 1732-1933 Missouri State and Territorial Census Records, 1732-1933 at FamilySearch — index and images
For tips on accessing Webster County, Missouri Genealogy census records online, see: Missouri Census.
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.
Court Records
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index and images
Directories
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. The Webster County Recorder compiles and maintains all county land records. The County Recorder will process land document requests via email or phone and will only mail those copies. There is a nominal fee to process record requests.
Webster County Recorder Contact Information: County Courthouse
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Webster 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.
- History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent counties, Missouri. 1889. Goodspeed. Available online at Missouri Digital Heritage
- History of Webster County, 1855-1955. By Floy Watters George. 1956? [Springfield, Mo. : Roberts]. Available online at FamilySearch
- A History of Webster County. 1955. Seymour, Missouri : Webster County Citizen. Available online at FamilySearch
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Missouri (1804-1889)
- Map of Webster County townships (Histopolis)
- The University of Missouri Digital Library has digital copies of Missouri county plat books (ca. 1930) for all Missouri counties including Webster County. The city of St. Louis is not included in this collection.
- Map of 1904 Webster County with numerous small settlements (My Genealogy Hound)
Migration
Military Records
- 1900-1941 Missouri, Pre-WWII Adjutant General Enlistment Contracts, 1900-1941 at FamilySearch — images
Civil War
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1861-1865 Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- 1911-1938 Missouri, Confederate Pension Applications and Soldiers Home Applications, 1911-1938 at FamilySearch — index and images
Regiments
Service men in Webster 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 Webster County, Missouri:
Service men in Webster 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 Webster County, Missouri:
- 16th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Union), Company D
- 4th Regiment, Missouri Infantry - Confederate, Company I
- 6th Provisional Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia (Union), Company D
- 72nd Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia (Union), Company L
- 72nd Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia (Union), Company M
- 8th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Union), Company G
- 8th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry (Union), Company L
World War II
- 1940-1945 Missouri, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1941-1946 Missouri, Reports of Separation Notices, 1941-1946 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index
Newspapers
The State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSM) Newspaper Collection is the best resource for finding local newspaper articles, including obituaries. They have digitized all local newspapers across all years and all printings from Webster County. When you call a local paper (The Marshfield Mail is the oldest running paper in Webster County), they will refer you to this collection. The archives in the local papers are stored away and difficult to access.
Obituaries
Other Records
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.
Online Probate Records
- 1750-1988 Missouri Probate Records 1750-1998 at FamilySearch — images
- 1766-1988 Missouri Wills and Probate Records 1766-1988 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
School Records
Tax Records
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and slaves aged 21 to 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district. For more information see the wiki page Missouri Taxation.
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. For additional guidance on researching and using vital records, see United States Vital Records or How to order Missouri Vital Records.
St. Louis and Kansas City recorded births and deaths starting as early as 1850 for deaths and 1870 for births. The Missouri Department of Health began keeping birth and death records in 1909. County records vary by year and the county. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Missouri Vital Records State Department of Health, the County Clerk's office or order electronically online.
Birth
- 1817-1939 Missouri Births, 1817-1939 at FamilySearch — index
- 1827-1935 Missouri, Births and Christenings, 1827-1935 at FamilySearch — index
- 1851-1910 Missouri Birth Records, 1851-1910 at Ancestry — index/images ($)
Marriage
The Webster County Recorder maintains all County Marriage records. The County Recorder will respond to email and phone calls, but records will only be mailed to requesters.
The County is the repository for recorded Marriage Records until 1910. It is important to note that some marriages may have occurred in Christian and Wright Counties given the proximity of border cities to those counties.
Webster County Recorder Contact Information: County Courthouse
Online Records
- 1750-1920 Missouri, Marriages, 1750-1920 at FamilySearch — index
- 1776-1988 Missouri, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1800-1991 Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1805-2002 Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 at Ancestry ($)
- 1850 Missouri Marriages to 1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1855-1885 Webster County Marriage Index 1855-1885. Batch M515911 at FamilySearch.[6]
Death
- 1834-1910 Missouri, Death Records, 1834-1910 at Ancestry — index/images ($)
- 1867-1976 Missouri, Deaths and Burials, 1867-1976 at FamilySearch — index
- 1883-1930 Missouri Deaths, 1883-1930 at FamilySearch — index and images
Missouri State Archives provides on-line access to Missouri Death Certificates more than 50 yrs old starting in 1910. The database includes all counties and will allow you to search by county. Webster County appears to have had slow adoption to the 1910 state law requirement as the records are minimal in the earlier years of the period.
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Webster County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Missouri Archives and Libraries.
Family History 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
- Marshfield Missouri Family History Center 1105 State Hwy CC, Marshfield, MO 65706 United States Location Map
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Webster County. For state-wide library facilities, see Missouri Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Webster County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Missouri Societies.
- Webster County Historical Society
219 South Clay
Marshfield, MO 65706
Phone: 417-468-7407
Websites
- Missouri Digital Heritage. Free. digital images of many types of records from institutions across the State
- MOGenWeb. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
- USGenWeb Archives. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- FamilySearch Catalog . Free. - 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
- RootsWeb resources. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- Linkpendium. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- CyndisList. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- StateofUS. Free. family history resources and government records
- Missouri Genealogy. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Missouri. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Webster County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_County,_Missouri, accessed 18 Sept 2018.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Missouri. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Webster County, Missouri. Page 397-407 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL 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); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/f/f4/Igimissourir.pdf.