St. Charles County Recovered Records Announced

About four years ago, St. Charles County (Missouri) Executive Steve Ehlmann, then a judge, was poking through the county courthouse basement when he discovered a stash of court documents from the early 1800s. Now, after two years of preserving and indexing by the Missouri State Archives, historians are ready to tell the public exactly what they've found. Genealogists with ancestors in St. Charles County should pay close attention.

The newly-discovered records cover a 30-year period when records were not plentiful. The first batch historians analyzed included about 7,000 pages of documents representing about 1,650 court cases and administrative actions from the years 1805 to 1835. The papers include signatures by Daniel Boone, court documents about the Spanish Southwest, and the only publicly-owned biography of William Clark, which was written for his 1820 run for governor.

State archivists Bill Glankler and Nik Henle have spent countless hours in the courthouse basement, sorting through and indexing the records from that period. Along with documents gathered from the St. Charles County Historical Society and elsewhere, the records total about 2,800 court cases of at least 10,000 pages and fill 25 cubic-foot storage boxes.

They have preserved damaged papers and indexed the information, and the index will eventually be searchable through the state archives and the county historical society. The actual documents should be on microfilm later this year.

The archivists will present their findings at the St. Charles County Historical Society's quarterly meeting on April 28. They will also give a presentation at the Missouri Conference on History in downtown St. Louis on April 19.

Lynn Morrow, director of the Local Records Preservation Program for the state archives, said, "The collection is just loaded with Howells and Zumwalts, and Callaways and Van Bibbers." Many of those families were involved in court cases or actions that give a closer look at American history. In the War of 1812, Capt. James Callaway was killed near the modern-day border of Warren and Montgomery counties. "That kind of information about the War of 1812 is as scarce as hen's teeth," Morrow said.

More court records mention Matthias "Tice" Van Bibber, a favorite hunting companion of Morgan and Nathan Boone, two of Daniel Boone's sons. It was commonly thought Van Bibber was killed on a hunting venture, Morrow said, but the court documents show that he didn't die that way at all. Van Bibber showed up several years after his supposed death working at a sawmill owned by Morgan Boone in Texas County. The court case involved the mill.

"The reach of the court is much farther than most people realize," Morrow said.

If you had ancestors in St. Charles County from the years 1805 to 1835, you need to check this new collection as soon as you can. Admittedly, it will not be online, so you may need to travel to the county courthouse.

My thanks to Rosanne (Goad) Vrugtman for telling me about this newly-found collection.

Comments

[Diane Mahoney]

Would someone be willing to keep my MO pioneers in mind? The Ashcrafts and Muke Box were in Howard County, but I believe they may have lived in St. Charles county as well. Thanks, Diane

[Sue Bowman]

Thank you for sharing the news regarding this collection. I wish I lived close enough to visit the courthouse and read the documents ~ especially the ones regarding the VanBibbers. Sue Bowman

[Sue Bowman]

Thank you for sharing the news regarding this collection. I wish I lived close enough to visit the courthouse and read the documents ~ especially the ones regarding the VanBibbers. Sue Bowman

[Bee Ingalls]

Did they find the St. Charles County's pre-statehood censuses?

[Rita Ferguson]

My family was in St Charles, interested in Palmer/Parmer, Ayres families and would you please keep these ancestors in mind as I do not live close enough to visit at this tim
Rita Ferguson

[Bruce Logan]

For those of you who are interested in the Van Bibber/Van Bebber lines please visit my web page. I have archived several years of the Van Bibber Pioneers e-newsletter.

Bruce Logan

[Carol Yoho]

I believe St. Charles County is stomping grounds for Bainbridge's, Groshong's, and Martin's...before they moved to western MO(Platte Co.) and then into NE Kansas around 1856. Rumor is that Groshong's knew the Boone's. Any additional info on family will be appreciated.

[Jeanne Bornefeld]

I think this gentleman, who found the records and followed through with getting them out to the public with all the time and energy involved, deserves at the very least, Sainthood. And, Angelic status to all those who helped. This sounds just wonderful.

[Marilyn]

Thank you for sharing this info on the great find of the documents for the years of 1805-1835 for St Charles Co. What is the name of this collection and where do we go to have access to these records ?? My GG grandfather Collet HAINES/HAYNES was in the Company of Daniel Boone during the War of 1812. I have had trouble finding any records for this time period -- so this is great news !! Are there any HAINES/HAYNES listed ??

[Shirley Winkelhoch]

Where can I see the newly found records? I wrote to Steve Ehlmann a year ago or more about it with no response. I am interested in Boone's VanBibbers and Lewis & Clark members. Thank you very much.

[Shirley Winkelhoch]

Where can I view the newly found collection? I am interested in Boones, VanBibbers, Lewis & Clark members. Thank you.

[Angela Heitmann]

Looking for anyone that has information on the following families that have lived and may still be living in the St. Charles area. Koch, Kothe, Post, Orf, Stein, Fischer. Families lived in Wentzville, Dardenne, St. Peter's, O'Fallon, St. Charles and St. Louis.

[Barb]

Hi Angela,
I have been collecting some info about Peter Stein who married Johanna Kothe and their children as I believe I am somehow related to them. My great grandfather was Joseph Stein who lived in Bonfils, Mo.
I was looking at my family's church records from St. Mary's, Bridgeton, Mo when I discovered all these "other" Steins. I have many birth & baptismal dates for Peter & Johanna's children if you would like me to send them to you. My great grandfather & grandfather (Anton) were godfathers to many of their children, and vice versa, Peter & Johanna were godparents to some my ancestors. This is why I think we may be related.

[Bill]

The early court records are now housed at the St. Charles County Historical Society. The territorial census of St. Charles County is also held by the society.