JEFFERSON COUNTY, MO HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri by (Goodspeed Publishing Co.), (1958) – 1,164 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.25.2004.AR
History of Jefferson County by Thomas, Mrs. Z.V., (1888) – 152 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.09.29.1942.AR
Jefferson County, Missouri: A Genealogical Overview
Situated directly south of St. Louis County and bordered by the Mississippi River to the east, Jefferson County has a rich history rooted in both early French colonial lead mining and subsequent American pioneer settlement. Its strategic location and natural resources made it a critical area for industry and agriculture from its earliest days. For genealogists, the county’s records reflect this blend of cultures and its role as a “mother county” from which other jurisdictions were formed, making an understanding of its history essential for successful research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Tracing the creation of Jefferson County from its larger parent counties is the first step in locating records for ancestors who may have resided in the area before 1818.
- 1818: County Formed: Jefferson County was officially organized on December 8, 1818, by an act of the Missouri Territorial Legislature.
- Parent Counties: It was created from the southern portion of St. Louis County and the northern portion of Ste. Genevieve County. Genealogical research for individuals in the area prior to 1818 must be conducted in the records of these two parent counties.
- Subsequent Formations: Jefferson County is considered a “mother county,” as a portion of its southern territory was later contributed to the formation of St. Francois County in 1821.
- Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. His administration orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which brought the Missouri territory under American control.
- County Seat History: The county has had two seats of government. The first county seat was established in Herculaneum in 1819, a vital port on the Mississippi River for shipping lead from the interior mines. In 1839, the county seat was moved to the more geographically central location of Hillsboro, where it remains today.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: Prior to European contact, the region was the territory of the Osage Nation. Archaeological evidence, including numerous mounds and village sites, also points to a significant presence of the earlier Mississippian culture.
- Colonial Settlement and Economy: The earliest European activity was driven by the discovery of lead. French explorers, including Philippe François Renault, began extensive mining operations in the broader region in the 1720s. While major settlements like Ste. Genevieve were to the south, the area of Jefferson County was crucial for its resources and its river access for transporting ore.
- American Settlement: Following the Louisiana Purchase, a significant wave of American settlement began. Pioneers, primarily of English, Scots-Irish, and German descent, migrated from states like Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. They were drawn by the availability of fertile land for farming. Early American entrepreneurs, such as Moses Austin, developed the lead industry, using Herculaneum as a primary shot tower location and shipping point. The economy was a mix of agriculture (grain, tobacco, livestock) and industry (lead mining, milling).
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records, including notes on a significant courthouse fire.
- County Courthouse: Records are held by various offices at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro, MO. The County Clerk holds county administrative records, the Clerk of the Circuit Court holds judicial records, and the Recorder of Deeds holds land and marriage records.
- Courthouse Fire (1877): It is important to note that a courthouse fire in 1877 destroyed some records. While many crucial record books (deeds, marriages, probate) were saved, researchers should be aware that some loose papers and specific court case files from before 1877 may be lost.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Missouri began statewide, mandated registration of births and deaths in 1910. Records prior to this are scarce. Some delayed birth certificates may be found at the county level, but for early vital statistics, researchers must rely on church records, cemetery inscriptions, obituaries in local newspapers, and family Bibles.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records are one of the county’s most complete collections, beginning from its formation in 1818. These are held by the Recorder of Deeds.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Jefferson County Library: The library system’s primary local history and genealogy collection is housed at the Northwest Branch in High Ridge. It is an excellent source for local family histories, census records, and other publications.
- Jefferson County Genealogical Society: An active society that has published numerous resource books, cemetery indexes, and a quarterly journal. They are an invaluable resource for anyone researching in the county.
- Missouri Historical Society: Located in St. Louis, this institution holds a vast collection of materials on the entire region, including Jefferson County.
- Missouri State Archives: Located in Jefferson City, the State Archives holds microfilm copies of many county records, state-level documents, and other essential genealogical materials.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- St. Louis County, MO (north)
- Franklin County, MO (west)
- Washington County, MO (southwest)
- St. Francois County, MO (south)
- Ste. Genevieve County, MO (southeast)
- Monroe County, IL (east, across the Mississippi River)
- Randolph County, IL (southeast, across the Mississippi River)