AUDRAIN COUNTY, MO HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

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Audrain County, Missouri: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of Missouri’s “Little Dixie” region, Audrain County is a landscape of rolling prairies that has been shaped by its agricultural heritage and its settlement by migrants from the Upland South. Established in 1836, the county’s history reflects the broader story of Missouri’s 19th-century development, from pioneer farming to the arrival of the railroad. Its well-preserved records and active historical society make it a rewarding location for genealogical research. The county seat, Mexico, became known as the “Saddle Horse Capital of the World,” a testament to the area’s strong equestrian and livestock traditions.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Audrain County’s formation from several larger parent counties is the first step for researchers tracing families who were in the area prior to its official organization.

  • 1836: County Formed: Audrain County was officially organized on December 17, 1836.
  • Parent Counties: The county was created from territory formerly belonging to Callaway, Boone, Monroe, and Ralls counties. Researchers seeking records for settlers in the area prior to 1837 must consult the records of these parent counties.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained largely stable since their establishment, with no new counties being formed from its territory.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of James H. Audrain, a Missouri state legislator from St. Charles County who supported the county’s formation.
  • County Seat History: The town of Mexico was platted and designated as the county seat in 1837 and has remained so ever since. Importantly for genealogists, the Audrain County Courthouse has never suffered a major fire that resulted in the loss of records.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The land was originally inhabited by various Native American groups, most notably the Sac (Sauk) and Fox tribes, who used the prairies as hunting grounds.
  • American Settlement and Economy: The first significant wave of American settlers began arriving in the late 1820s and early 1830s. The majority of these pioneers migrated from the Upper South states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, bringing with them the cultural and agricultural traditions of that region. Early farming focused on subsistence crops, tobacco, and hemp, with labor often performed by enslaved African Americans. The arrival of the Wabash Railroad in 1858 transformed the county’s economy, making Mexico a key shipping hub for livestock, grain, and fire clay, a major local industry.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records, many of which are well-preserved and accessible.

  • County Courthouse: The Audrain County Courthouse, located at 101 N. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265, is the primary repository for key records.
    • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Holds court records (civil and criminal) and naturalization records.
    • Recorder of Deeds: Holds all land records (deeds, mortgages) from 1837 to the present, as well as marriage records.
    • Probate Judge: Holds probate records (wills, estates, guardianships) from the county’s formation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration of births and deaths in Missouri began in 1910. Records from 1910-present are available from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Pre-1910 records are scarce, though a few delayed birth certificates may be found at the county health department. Researchers must rely on non-governmental sources like church records, cemetery inscriptions, and newspaper obituaries for earlier information.
    • Marriage Records: These records are an excellent resource, with licenses and returns available from 1837 to the present at the Recorder of Deeds office.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Audrain County Historical Society & Museum: Located in Mexico, this is the premier local resource for genealogical research. Its collection includes family files, local histories, photographs, and other unique manuscript materials.
    • Mexico-Audrain County Library: The public library has a local history room with resources such as county histories, cemetery surveys, and local newspapers on microfilm.
    • State Historical Society of Missouri: Located in nearby Columbia, this is a major research center for Missouri history and genealogy, with an extensive collection of Audrain County newspapers, maps, and county records on microfilm.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Monroe County (north)
    • Ralls County (northeast)
    • Pike County (east)
    • Montgomery County (south)
    • Callaway County (southwest)
    • Boone County (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks