Missouri Genealogical Gleanings 1840 and Beyond, Vol. 4

This fourth book in the series includes information on counties not covered in the previous volumes as well as new information on some previously covered counties. Census records for Missouri started in 1830, but many travelers and permanent settlers were missed in the census or only lived in the state between the census years. The purpose of this collection is to help the researcher pinpoint his or her ancestors between the census years. Missouri was a gateway to the West-a key location in the nineteenth century. Both the Santa Fe Trail to the southwest and the Oregon Trail to the northwest began at Independence, Missouri. The starting point for the Pony Express, which delivered mail from there west to California, was at St. Joseph, Missouri. Settlers and new immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Poland, Bohemia and Italy flooded into Missouri when statehood was granted in 1821. Through the last half of the nineteenth century, each new Gold Rush lured more people to Missouri on their way to make their fortunes. Here, the author has collected information from newspapers, church and cemetery records, muster books, tax and assessment lists, marriage books, deed books, land owner lists, voter lists and other sources. Cemetery listings and mortality schedules include persons born in 1840 or later. A list of "dates to remember" covers important historical events in the U.S. from the years 1821 to 1911. All names appear as written on the original records, including the abbreviations of given names. The following Missouri counties are covered: Andrew, Audrain, Boone, Buchanan, Carter, Cass, Clay, Grundy, Hickory, Howell, Jackson, Macon, Maries, Platte, Randolph, Reynolds, St. Louis and Taney. The section entitled "miscellaneous connections" includes lists of Missouri graduates from West Point, Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, Missourians listed on the Vietnam War Memorial, and excerpts from the Licking Valley Register (Covington, Kentucky) and the Weekly Kansas Chief. A surname index is included.