For the residents of Missouri, genealogy records searches are becoming necessary. Genealogy is the study of a person’s family history. It can compromise as much or as little detail as you would like. Many people use these documents to help them better to understand their family's lives, deaths and connections. When did your family arrive in Missouri? When did they arrive in America? The more information you have regarding this, the better off you will be. The good news is there are a number of different resources you can use to gather this data. It is a good idea for you to use various resources to learn as much as you can about the people who are a part of your family.
 

Missouri genealogy records can include a wide range of information. The information, though, is very much dependent on the age of the information you are looking for. For example, the state of Missouri began requiring that locals and counties report the births and deaths of those who lived in the state in August of 1909. However, in St Louis, the recoding of these vital records happened much sooner. The city began recording births in 1870 and recorded deaths from 1850 onward. Not all information is on file and compliance within the city of St Louis is considered to be about 60 percent.
 

If you are looking for death records or birth records from August of 1909 onward, you will want to write to the following address or visit in person.
 

Missouri Department of Health

Bureau of Vital Records

PO Box 570

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
 

Marriage records were not kept at this location. Rather, they are recorded through the Recorder of Deeds within the actual county where the marriage took place. If you are looking for birth records or death records from St Louis prior to this time, contact the following address:
 

St. Louis Vital Records Department

PO Box 14702

St. Louis, Missouri 63178
 

There are other resources available to help you to create Missouri genealogy records as well. There are numerous biographies written from the early settling of the region. These can offer some insight and information. However, you will want to look as local as you can when looking for actual records. For example, if you know the county where the individual lived or died, check out the cemetery records. Some of the oldest contain a great deal of information that can be helpful. In Pulaski County, the Mayes Ranch Cemetery is an older one with a great deal of information.
 

You can also look to government records from that time. The state participated in the 1910 Census and that information may be available to you. Also, look to the St Louis Naturalization Records that are available for the period of 1816 through 1955. These can provide excellent information if your family migrated to the area during that time from an international region. The more information you know the more likely you can create thorough Missouri genealogy records.

• Missouri Genealogy