Research Room

The Missouri State Archives is the repository for state records of historical value.  Highlights among manuscripts and original documents in the Archives include French & Spanish land grants, testimony concerning the New Madrid earthquake of 1811-1812, documents concerning Frank and Jesse James, maps of Missouri's first surveyed roads, and material pertaining to Harry S. Truman.

Currently, the Archives holds more than 336 million pages of paper; 400,000 photographs; 9,000 maps; 61,000 reels of microfilm, 560 cubic feet of published state documents and 1,000 audio/video items.  These records include:

• Census schedules for Missouri from 1830-1930
• County and Municipal Records
• Judicial Records
• Land Records
• Legislative records
• Manuscripts
• Military records of Missourians from the War of 1812 through World War I, including more than 9 million pages related to the Civil War.
• Missouri 's history under French & Spanish colonial rule, as a U.S. territory, and during early statehood
• Penitentiary Records
  Call for volunteers to index penitentiary records
• Photographs and Digital Collections
• Resources for Family & Community History
• State agency records
• State government publications

Featured Collections

• The Missouri Mormon War
• Lewis and Clark Expedition

Guides to the Collection

• Guide to African American History at the Missouri State Archives
• Guide to Civil War Resources at the Missouri State Archives

Online Resources

• Finding Aids
• Archives' Online Catalog
• Birth & Death Records Database, pre-1910
• Civil War Provost Marshal Index Database
• Coroner's Inquest Database
• County and Municipal Records on Microfilm
• Digital Collections
• Land Patents Database
• Local Records Inventory Database
• Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1957
• Missouri Judicial Index Database
• Missouri Judicial Records
• Missouri Supreme Court Historical Database
• Naturalization Records Database
• St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project
• St. Louis Probate Court Digitization Project (now a part of Missouri Judicial Records)
• Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I
• Virtually Missouri (now a part of Missouri Digital Heritage "MDH")

Access to the Collections

Access to the Missouri State Archives collections is provided through the Archives Research Room. Information regarding records and use may be obtained from reference staff. Patrons must read and comply with the Patron Resource Agreement before beginning research activity.

The Missouri State Archives collections are non-circulating. Permanent state government records housed in the Missouri State Archives stacks area are available for use in the Archives Research Room. Advance request must be made for use of records from the stacks on Thursday evenings, Saturdays, and holidays. Microfilm and a limited selection of printed works is available in the Archives Research Room to researchers at all times.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact Information
• Hours and Directions

Procedures For Requesting Research

Missouri State Archives staff does limited research for patrons who are unable to visit in person at no cost. Patrons may request information via telephone, e-mail, or postal mail.

Copy Fees

Copies may be obtained of most records; archivists will determine whether the original records may be copied due to age and fragility. Cost of copies is 10 cents per page for photocopies and 50 cents per page for microfilm copies. Reproductions of photographs are provided at cost. Microfilm () is available at a cost of $15.00 per roll for diazo film.