RESOURCES

 

The Nevada Public Library Genealogy Department

218 West Walnut Street, Nevada, Missouri  64772

Mon., Wed., Fri.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tue., Thu.: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sat.: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sun. and Federal & State Holidays: Closed
 

Things to know:

--Each link on this web page opens in a new window; close that window to return to this page.

--The Nevada Public Library Genealogy Department maintains the largest collection of Vernon County family and local history research materials available anywhere!  Access the Nevada MO Library online card catalog at this link and also at Missouri Evergreen. New resources are continually added to the Genealogy Department. Nevada Library resources are not included at https://www.worldcat.org; you must search the library's catalog.

--The Nevada MO Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

--Genealogical resources are available during regular library hours without charge.

--Although most of the resources in the Genealogy Dept. cannot be checked out of the library or borrowed through interlibrary loan, there is a nice collection of "how-to" books including DNA research and some state resources with spine label "G" which can be checked out by both local and Evergreen patrons.

--The Missouri Newspaper Archives and the Midwest Genealogy Center have interlibrary loan programs for some of their genealogy resources.

--Nevada Public Library staff do not conduct genealogy lookups.

--Please see https://bushwhacker.org/ to request lookups and research from the Vernon County Historical Society.

--Resources in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department are arranged by Dewey number. Please see the charts on the end of the bookshelves.
 

Alphabetical list of research categories

 

Affiliate Library:  The Nevada Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

 

Biographies:  Biographies, newspaper articles, photographs, and researcher information on former residents of Vernon County, Missouri and nearby areas.

 

Births and Deaths:  Use these links for how to research births and how to research deaths. Many apply to all of Missouri and some to the entire country.

 

Books:  Area history and miscellaneous genealogy-related new and used books for sale. Updated 20 May 2025.

 

Cemeteries:   "Deaths and Burials Vernon County Missouri : Including Sources and Burials Elsewhere 2024" has been published!  Copies can be purchased at the Bushwhacker Museum (in person or mail order). This 3-Vol., 1,563-page resource contains more than 72,000 deaths and burials with connections to Vernon County. In addition to name and birth and death dates from gravestones, additional information was obtained from obituaries, funeral home records, death certificates, obituaries, and numerous other genealogical source records. Names of parents and spouses are listed for many. The source citation for information is included (newspaper and publication date of obituaries, etc.). All active cemeteries were re-surveyed and are listed in map (section and row) order. The previous cemetery directory was published in 2010, and it is not anticipated that a future print edition will be published.

 

Census Records:  Census records are available free online at the library or from your home computer via the Nevada Missouri Library's website at https://www.nplmo.org/; click on Collections, select Genealogy, and then HeritageQuest; enter your library card number. Check with your local library for how to access HeritageQuest from other than the Nevada, MO library. Numerous census records are available in print and on microfilm in the Nevada Library Genealogy Dept. The 1890 Vernon County Veterans and Widows Census is available in print. Free census searches are also available on many websites including the Stephen P. Morse  Website at https://stevemorse.org/#us and at Family Search at https://www.familysearch.org (requires a free account).

 

Church Records:  Various church records in print in the Genealogy Department include:

Church of the Nazarene, Nevada, MO Pictorial Directory 1978, 1989, 1994

Glade Springs Baptist Church Records

Moundville Methodist Church Records

Mount Vernon Methodist Church and Cemetery Records

Rinehart Christian Church : Legacy, a Sesquicentennial History 1874-2024

Church information is also available in specific Towns and Townships.

 

Circuit Court Records 1855-1900:  The 1855-1900 Vernon County Missouri Circuit Court packet files (lose papers) have been microfilmed and are available on microfilm in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department.  Click here for a searchable index to names, cause of action, case summary, and microfilm roll number in these records. The index is a large, searchable, 542-page pdf document. A cost estimate to obtain a print or a digital copy of an individual packet file can be obtained from the Bushwhacker Museum. There is a wealth of information in these files!

     Please be aware that case disposition information is not usually included in the packet file. That information requires searching the Circuit Court Record Index Books for the case and then looking up the case in the Circuit Court Record Books (of which only a few are available in the Genealogy Department) based on the Index information. See below for the Index Books and Record Books have been microfilmed by Family Search.

     Vernon County government ceased functioning during the Civil War.  Although the Vernon County Courthouse was burned by Federal troops in 1863, the official records were not lost because they had been removed from the area for safekeeping. The last term of Vernon County court before the Civil War was held June 6, 1861; and the next term of the county court was held October 17, 1865.

 

County Records on Microfilm:  Approximately 300 rolls of microfilm of Vernon County, Cedar County, and Bates County official records are available in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department. Click on the county name link to see a detailed list of this microfilm.

    Vernon County Probate Records: A printed every-name index and accompanying 106 rolls of microfilmed records of probate files are in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department. An on-line searchable index is available from the Bushwhacker Museum at https://bushwhacker.org/search-probate-records/

    A list of Missouri records on microfilm by county at the Missouri State Archives is at this link: https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/county/croll

 

Death and Burial Records:  A few of the published resources in the Nevada Library Genealogy Dept include:

Deaths and Burials Vernon County Missouri : Including Sources and Burials Elsewhere 2024.

Balltown Cemetery Earliest Records.

Deepwood Cemetery Earliest Records.

Hackberry Cemetery Earliest Records.

Missouri Death Certificate Index 1910-1957 in print; also see Deaths above for online access to official death certificates.

Obituary Card File (approx. 1985 to early 2000s); from local area newspapers.

 

Daughters of the American Revolution: The DAR Descendants Database contains well over one million lineages of women who have joined and submitted supplemental applications to DAR for verification and approval. The Descendants Database can be searched online at https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=5&Tab_ID_Sub=2&Action=Search. Newer applications correct any errors in older lineages. Recommend always use Advanced Search in the Descendants Database. Enter the man's surname in the top section and the woman's maiden or given name below. Fill in as little information as possible to conduct a search; add more information to narrow search results if too many are received. Entries are listed chronologically in the Associated Applications and Supplementals list; newest lineages are at the bottom of the list. See Overview and Help for DAR searches on the site.

 

Directories:  Nevada City and/or Vernon County and Chamber of Commerce:

1889	1890	1898	1900-01	1903-04	1905
1908-09	1913	1923-24	1925-26	1928	1929
1936	1938	1953-54	1963	1966	1968
1970	1972	1974	1976	1977	1979
1981	1983	1985	1986	1987	1988
1989		1993	1995	1996	1996-97
1998	2000	2002	2003	2005-06	2007-08
2011	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
2019	2023

 

FamilySearch: Familysearch.org Requires a free account with email address. All Vernon Co, MO resources are at: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/results?q.place=Vernon, Missouri, United States

Every-word text search: https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/

Vernon Co Circuit Court Record Index v. 1 and 2 and Circuit Court Record Books v. A-K: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/80052 (as of 21 May 2025 these records can be seen at home).

Vernon Co Probate Records: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/208677

MO Probates by County:  https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/2399107/waypoints

 

Forms:  Blank family history forms for recording information by computer or to print and manually complete are available from Midwest Genealogy Center https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/research/family-history-forms (scroll down on page).

 

Funeral Home Records (links are to the index from each of the books):

Beeny Brothers Funeral Home Records 1923-1969 (Sheldon, MO) 
Early Nevada Funeral Home Records 1890-1895
Early Nevada Funeral Home Records 1896-1913
Early Nevada Funeral Home Records 1913-1925
Ferry Funeral Home Records 1925-1966 (Nevada, MO)
Hays Funeral Home Records 1918-1970 (Nevada, MO)
Lewis & Son Funeral Home Records, Schell City 1907-1979
Pond Funeral Home Records 1876-1899 (Metz, MO)

Pond Funeral Home Records 1917-1920 (Metz, MO)

Pond Funeral Home Records and Accounts 1896-1920 (Metz, MO)
Waggoner Funeral Home Records 1920-1937 (Harwood, MO)
Waggoner Funeral Home Records 1937-1959 (Harwood, MO)
Wainscott & Gammon Funeral Home Records 1884-1925 (Nevada, MO)

 

Genealogies:  Numerous published genealogies of families with connections to Vernon County and Southwest Missouri pioneers are available. Search the Library Card Catalog at

 

History Books of Vernon County, Missouri in the Nevada Library Genealogy Dept:

1887 History of Vernon County  Index  Book online at https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/mocohist

1911 History of Vernon County Vols. 1 and 2
2005 Sesquicentennial History Book Vols. 1 and 2  (copies available for purchase)

Bronaugh: the Town, the Man and his Friends. 2010  (copies available for purchase)

Moundville, Missouri 1860-1910. 2005  (copies available for purchase)
History of Bronaugh-Moundville. 1988
History of Nevada/Vernon Co. 1955 Centennial
History of Nevada/Vernon Co. 1983
History of Schell City. 1971
History of Schell City. 1997
History of Sheldon. 1981
History of Walker. 1996
Pioneers of the 20th Century. 2000
Various historical sketches and published diaries.

 

History of Vernon County, Missouri:  Settlement of the area at this link.

  

Histories Online:  Search the Missouri State Library Sponsored Project of Missouri county histories from across the state at Missouri Digital Heritage https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/mocohist.

 

Land, Deeds, and Maps:  How to find your ancestor's land in Vernon County, MO. Search original land patents, deed index books, and more.

 

Law Enforcement:  Names and information on some of Vernon County's Law Enforcement.

 

Mailing List:  A mailing list has been set up for those researching Vernon Co, MO. Please go to  https://groups.io/g/MO-VERNON and join the MO-VERNON group. This group is to discuss, share or ask questions of a genealogical nature for persons whose ancestors had a life event in Vernon Co, MO.

 

Maps:  Google Maps does not have completely correct, legal road names across Vernon County. Correct road names can be seen at https://vernongis.integritygis.com/H5/Index.html?viewer=vernon  Click the I WANT TO... blue button and select Change visible map layers and then uncheck Property Info. This will leave you with all of the named roads across the county. This map is a bit cumbersome to use, but it assures you of correct road names.

Vernon County Ownership Maps, Plat Maps, or Rural Directories are available in the Nevada Library Genealogy Department for the following years:

1876	1886	1903 (online soon)	1928	1930	1951
1966-67	1968	1971	1972	1974	1975
1976	1977	1978	1981	1984	1986
1989	1990	1993	1995	1996	1997
2000	2003	2005	2008	2009	2013
2014	2019	2024

Missouri Road Map

Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer

U.S. Atlas

Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920

 

Marriage Records:  Search marriage indexes from 1855 through 1969. The indexes cover Vernon Co, MO marriage license Books A through Y.

 

Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence, MO:  Special Collections at https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy

 

Military Records:  Military Resources and links listed here.

 

Missouri Digital Heritage: https://www.sos.mo.gov/mdh/  Millions of records accessible from this search screen.

 

Missouri GenWeb: https://www.mogenweb.org/ Links to all Missouri GenWeb counties, special projects, and more.

 

Missouri State Archives: https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/ Quick Links to various state resources including the State Penitentiary Database.

 

Missouri State Genealogical Association: https://mosga.org/ Links for research and to Journal index, Missouri 1st Families programs, Surname Lists, etc.

 

Missouri County History Books and Miscellaneous Records:  Various marriage, probate, census, and cemetery records from numerous Missouri counties are available in the Genealogy Department. The following county histories published in the 1880-1890s are available.

Adair	Cooper	Howard	Perry	Schuyler
Andrew	Crawford	Iron	Phelps	Scott
Barton	Dade	Jefferson	Pike	Shelby
Bates	Dallas	Laclede	Platte	Stoddard
Bollinger	DeKalb	Macon	Polk	Sullivan
Butler	Dent	Madison	Pulaski	Texas
Camden	Dunklin	Mercer	Putnam	Warren
Cape Girardeau	Franklin	Mississippi	Randolph	Washington
Carroll	Gasconade	Monroe	St. Charles	Wayne
Cass	Harrison	Montgomery	St. Clair	Wright
Cedar	Henry	New Madrid	St. Francois	Vernon
Clay	Hickory	Pemiscot	St. Genevieve

If a history book title lists multiple counties, it will be shelved by the name of the first county listed in the title.  Please check the library catalogue or ask staff at the circulation desk for assistance in locating a history book.

 

Nevada Public Library, Nevada, Missouri: Search online Card Catalog and Collections :: Genealogy at https://www.nplmo.org/ Access HeritageQuest free at your local library's website.

 

Nevada State Hospital #3:  Also known as the Lunatic Hospital. How to research the hospital, former patients, and employees.

 

Newsletters of the Local Genealogy Society:  For several years (2003-2017) the local genealogical society published a small monthly newsletter that included how-to articles and transcriptions of obituaries and interesting local newspaper stories. In 2022 the Society again began publishing an emailed newsletter as a benefit of membership. Links to previous newsletters can be read here.

 

Newspapers:  How and where to research ancestors in microfilmed newspapers, abstracted newspaper books, indices, finding aids, and in online digital papers.

 

Orphans Home:  St. Francis Orphans Home information and pictures, including newspaper articles about the home and former residents.

 

Other Research Links:  Links to GenWeb sites for bordering counties, special projects, local entities, Lyndon Irwin history and genealogy website, and more.

 

PERiodical Source Index at the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana. PERSI contains thousands of indexed genealogical and historical society periodicals, including both the Genealogical Society's Newsletter and the Vernon County Historical Society's Bushwhacker Musings publications. Access the index at https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/.

 

Photos and Photographers:  Family pictures and scenes from around Vernon County, photos need identification, and area photographers at this link.

 

Place Names Vernon County, Missouri: in the Historical Society of Missouri, Manuscript Collections at https://collections.shsmo.org/manuscripts/columbia/C2366/vernon-county 

 

Queries and Message Board Posts:  Archived queries and message posts from 1996-2010. Email addresses may no longer be correct, but some information may be helpful in your research.

 

Record Loss:  Although the Vernon County Courthouse was burned by Federal troops in 1863, the only official record lost was Deed Book B. The index to Book B was not lost.

 

Research Trip:  Things to know when planning a research trip to Vernon County, Missouri.

 

School Information and Yearbooks:  Numerous schools resources include the following:

Readin' 'Ritin', 'n' 'Rithmetic: The Story of Vernon County's Country Schools. Information on the many country schools of Vernon County with many photos and lists of students.
Walker High School "Home of the Purple and Gold."
Various yearbooks for Bronaugh, Metz, Nevada, Northeast Vernon County, St. Francis Academy, Sheldon, and Walker Schools.
Various yearbooks for Cottey College.

Microfilm of one-room schools in Vernon County, Missouri.

 

Sons of the American Revolution: https://sarpatriots.sar.org/ Search SAR Revolutionary War patriots at this link.

 

Surnames Researched:  Surnames in Vernon County being researched by others.

 

Towns and Townships:  Information and links to various towns and townships of Vernon Co, MO. More information will be added as time permits.

 

Used Books: Area history and miscellaneous genealogy-related new and used books. Updated 20 May 2025.

 

Vernon County Historical Society and Bushwhacker Museum: https://bushwhacker.org/