CALDWELL COUNTY, MO HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri by O.P. Williams & Co., (1885) – 1256 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.11.15.1905.CD.AR

Caldwell County, Missouri: A Genealogical Overview

Caldwell County, situated in northwestern Missouri, holds a unique and often tumultuous place in the state’s history. It was specifically created by the Missouri legislature as a designated settlement area for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) to resolve conflicts in neighboring counties. This brief but pivotal period, culminating in the 1838 Mormon War and their subsequent expulsion, defines the county’s early identity. For genealogists, this means research is often split into two distinct periods: the foundational Mormon era (1836-1839) and the subsequent resettlement period, with record availability significantly impacted by a major courthouse fire.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding the political and social reasons behind Caldwell’s creation is essential for locating the correct records for its earliest residents.

  • 1836: County Formed: Caldwell County was officially established on December 29, 1836.
  • Parent County: The entirety of the county was formed from the northern portion of Ray County. Researchers seeking information on settlers in the area immediately prior to 1836 should consult the records of Ray County.
  • Subsequent Formations: The boundaries of Caldwell County have remained largely unchanged since its formation; no new counties have been created from its territory.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of John Caldwell, a Kentucky officer who served in the War of 1812 and later became the second Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
  • County Seat History: The original county seat was Far West, a thriving Mormon community that rapidly grew to several thousand residents. After the Mormons were expelled in 1838, Far West was largely abandoned. The county seat was officially moved to Kingston in 1843, where it remains today.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to European settlement, the land that became Caldwell County was the territory of the Sac (Sauk) and Fox peoples.
  • Mormon Settlement and Conflict: In the early 1830s, conflicts drove Mormon settlers out of Jackson County and later from Clay County. To resolve the issue, the state legislature created Caldwell County as a “Mormon County.” From 1836 to 1838, thousands of Latter-day Saints moved to the area, founding Far West and other settlements like Haun’s Mill. Tensions with non-Mormon residents in adjacent counties escalated, leading to the 1838 Mormon War. The conflict included the Battle of Crooked River and the Haun’s Mill Massacre. It concluded when Governor Lilburn Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44, the infamous “Extermination Order,” forcing the Mormons to surrender at Far West and leave the state during the winter of 1838-1839, relocating to Illinois.
  • Post-Mormon Resettlement: Following the Mormon exodus, the county was resettled by pioneers primarily from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, who acquired the now-vacant lands. This group of settlers established the permanent agricultural communities that characterized the county for the next century.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

CRITICAL NOTE: A devastating courthouse fire in 1860 destroyed nearly all county records from 1836 to 1860. Research in this period requires consulting alternative, non-county sources.

  • County Courthouse: The Caldwell County Courthouse is located at 49 East Main Street, Kingston, MO 64650. It holds records created after the 1860 fire, including land records (deeds), probate files (wills), and court records from 1860 to the present.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration of births and deaths in Missouri began in January 1910. No official county birth or death records exist prior to that date due to the fire.
    • Marriage Records: County marriage records exist from 1860 to the present. All marriage records from 1836-1860 were lost in the fire.
  • Special Mormon-Era Resources (1836-1839): Due to the destruction of local records, research on the Mormon founders of the county must be conducted elsewhere. Key repositories include:
    • The Church History Library (Salt Lake City, UT): The official archive of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds extensive collections on the Missouri period.
    • Brigham Young University Libraries (Provo, UT): Holds significant collections related to early Mormon history.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Caldwell County Library: Located in Kingston, with branches in Hamilton and Braymer, it has local history resources.
    • Caldwell County Historical Society: Operates a museum in Kingston and maintains local history files.
  • Bordering Counties:
    • Daviess County (north)
    • Livingston County (east)
    • Ray County (south)
    • Clinton County (west)

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