PERRY COUNTY, MO HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Perry County, Missouri: A Genealogical Overview

Nestled in the rolling hills of Southeast Missouri along the Mississippi River, Perry County holds a unique place in the story of American settlement. Its identity was forged by two distinct and deeply religious migrations: first by American Roman Catholics from the Upland South, and second by a foundational group of German Saxon Lutherans seeking religious freedom. This dual heritage created a cultural landscape rich in history and tradition, making it a fascinating area for genealogical research. The county seat, Perryville, remains the center of its civic and commercial life.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Perry County was carved out of one of Missouri’s oldest colonial districts during the early years of statehood. Tracing its parentage is key to locating the earliest records.

  • 1820: County Formed: Perry County was officially organized on November 16, 1820, just before Missouri achieved statehood.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the southern portion of Ste. Genevieve County, one of the original five districts of the Louisiana Territory. Any research concerning land or inhabitants prior to 1820 must be conducted in the records of Ste. Genevieve County, which are among the oldest in the state.
  • Subsequent Formations: Portions of Perry County’s original territory were later contributed to the formation of Bollinger County to the south in 1851.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American naval commander who won a decisive victory against the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
  • County Seat History: The town of Perryville was established as the county seat in 1821 and has held that distinction ever since. The first courthouse was a simple log structure, later replaced by more substantial buildings. The current courthouse was constructed in 1904.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to European settlement, the region was home to Mississippian culture mound builders. Later, the Spanish government granted land tracts to Shawnee and Delaware tribes who had been displaced from the east.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy:
    • American Catholic Migration: Beginning in the late 1790s, while the land was still under Spanish rule, a significant number of English-speaking Roman Catholic families migrated to the area. They came primarily from central Kentucky, having themselves descended from colonial families in Maryland. They established some of the earliest Catholic parishes west of the Mississippi, including St. Mary’s of the Barrens, which became a major seminary founded in 1818.
    • The Saxon Lutheran Immigration: In 1839, the county’s history was forever changed by the arrival of nearly 700 German immigrants from Saxony. Seeking to practice their traditional Lutheran faith without state interference, this group settled in the eastern part of the county, establishing towns like Altenburg, Frohna, and Wittenberg. From this community, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod was organized in 1847, growing into one of the largest Lutheran denominations in the United States.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Civil War: Perry County’s loyalties were sharply divided. The American-born population largely sympathized with the Confederacy, while the German immigrant community was staunchly pro-Union. This led to significant local tension and conflict throughout the war.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Research in Perry County often requires consulting both civil records and extensive, well-preserved church archives.

  • County Courthouse: The Perry County Courthouse, located at 321 N Main St, Perryville, MO 63775, is the main repository for civil records.
    • Recorder of Deeds: Holds all land transaction records (deeds, mortgages) and, importantly, marriage records from 1825 to the present.
    • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Maintains civil and criminal court dockets, divorce proceedings, and other judicial records.
    • Clerk of the Probate Court: Manages all probate files, including wills, estate administrations, and guardianship papers from the county’s formation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Official, statewide registration in Missouri began in 1910. Records from 1910 onward are held by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. For pre-1910 vital information, church records are the most critical and reliable source in Perry County.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records from 1825 to the present are held by the Perry County Recorder of Deeds.
  • Libraries, Archives, and Societies:
    • Perry County Historical Society: Located in Perryville, the society maintains a museum and archives with valuable local history documents, publications, and family files.
    • Concordia Historical Institute: Located in St. Louis, this is the official archive of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. It is an essential resource for anyone researching the Saxon Lutheran immigrants and their descendants, holding original ship manifests, church records, and family papers.
    • Archdiocese of St. Louis Archives: This archive holds records for the early Catholic parishes in the region and is a key resource for tracing the American Catholic settlers.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Ste. Genevieve County, MO (north)
    • St. Francois County, MO (west)
    • Madison County, MO (southwest)
    • Bollinger County, MO (south)
    • Cape Girardeau County, MO (south)
    • Randolph County, IL (northeast, across the Mississippi River)
    • Jackson County, IL (east, across the Mississippi River)

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