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Wright County, Missouri

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Wright County Missouri Map

Wright County was organized January 29, 1841, from Pulaski County and named for Silas Wright, a New York senator. The County Seat is Hartville. Courthouse burned in 1864 and 1897.

The townships are, beginning at the southwest corner moving east: Pleasant Valley, Clark, Mountain Grove; above the southwest corner moving east: Gasconade, Hart, Wood; again moving above beginning southwest and moving east: Boone, Brush Creek, and VanBuren. Northern most edge moving southwest to east: Union, Elk Creek, Montgomery.

The county seat of Hartville was probably named after the town of Hartsville, Tennessee where many of the Wright County residents came from originally. Although early histories indicate it was named after Mr. Hart who "donated the site", no land records show this transaction, nor does he have a first name, nor were there any Harts in the area until about 1860. The first deed entry in the town of Hartville was made December 27, 1847. Hartville today has about 524 residents. Its zip code is 65667. Hartville saw considerable suffering during the Civil War. For an interesting account of the Battle of Hartville, click here.

Mountain Grove was first named Hickory Springs as the early settlement was near a spring in a hickory grove. The early post office was established in Hickory Springs in 1851 and then a seminary called Mountain Grove Seminary was erected in 1857. A store was opened that year by Mr. Green and John Roper, and finally the village of Mountain Grove was organized on February 11, 1882. Today Mountain Grove has about 3377 residents. Its zip code is 65711.

The town of Mansfield was named for Francis M. Mansfield, who along with George and Julia Nettleton surveyed and acknkowledge the plat of Mansfield on November 10, 1884. He was an attorney for the Gulf Railroad. I.I. Hart and M.D.Gorman opened the first store about 1882, and the postoffice was originally established in 1881. There are approximately 1056 residents of this town which is the adult home of Laura Ingalls Wilder . Neat Wilder links can be viewed here and here.

Norwood was settled as early as 1853-1857 and the plat was acknowledged September 20. It was named by Walter S. Thompson who named it after Norwood a novel by Henry Ward Beecher. Today it has a population of about 294. Its zip code is 65717.

Grovespring, also seen sometimes as Grove Spring or Grove Springs, has a population of about 92. It's zip code is 65662. It came in existance about 1885. Early settlers included the Smith, Weaver, Mahony, Hudson, Shields, Davis, and Moorehouse families.

Macomb early was called Coin and was founded in the early 1880's. Its zip code is 65702.

Cedar Gap is a gap in the Ozarks Ridge that is surrounded by hills full of cedars. It was acknowledged August 19, 1882.

Graff was named for Courtney Graff and is still on the map. Its zip code is 65660.

Manes began about 1880 with George Myers store and was named after Seth Manes, a Missionary Baptist preacher from Richland in 1891.

Smittle, St. George, Owens, Odin, Dawson (at one time called Plunk after John H. Plunk who was there in 1895), Rayborn, Green Mountain, Loring, Boyer, and Jerk Tail are now/still on the map.

Several places aren't on the new maps. They include Astoria (originally named for John Jacob Astor who was president of the American Fur Company in St. Louis where many early traders traded), Mint, Cravens, Jericho, Aurora/Mingsville/Omega, Sunnyside or Crisptown, Umpire, Hawley, Antrim, Cave Spring, Embree, Talmadge (this post office was named by the government), High Point (sets on a high hill), and Fincher.

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Wright County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Missouri Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

All Departments below are in the Wright County Courthouse located at P.O. Box 39, Hartville, MO 65667-0039; Telephone: (417) 741-7121 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.wrightcountyclerk.com .

Wright County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from N/A.

Wright Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1897 and Land Records from 1853.

Wright County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1853.

Wright County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1853.

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Wright County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Wright County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Missouri

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Please allow up to approximately 6-8 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Birth records maintained by Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dept. of Health since 1903 through the present. For births that occurred within the past 75 years, copies can be requested only by the immediate family of the person whose name is on the birth certificate.
    • Cost: The cost of a birth record is $15 per record, $15 for each additional copy. The cost of a death record is $13 per record, $10 for each additional copy. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $22.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 6-8 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
    • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: To request a certified copy of a marriage license contact the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was obtained.To request a certified copy of a divorce decree contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted.
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Order In Person:To request a birth or death certificate from a local health department, you may download the application and submit it in person or by mail to the nearest local health department.

Order By Mail: Make check or money order payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. A money order must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. Mail to the following address:Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Please include return address on envelope and application form.

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Wright County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Wright County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Missouri

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Wright County, Missouri are 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Wright County, Missouri are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, , 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Wright County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Wright County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Maps. Email us with websites containing Wright County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Wright County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Missouri

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Wright County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Wright County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Missouri

There are many churches and cemeteries in Wright County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Wright County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Missouri State Archives has published A Brief Guide to Church Records on Microfilm which is a county by county listing, but it is currently out of print. The available church records can be located by using the Archives' Manuscript Register. Church microfilm rolls are not available for purchase, without written consent of the individual church, and must otherwise be used at the Missouri State Archives. The Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus holds some church records. These can be located by using their descriptive catalogue or microfiche guide. Most church records in Missouri are scattered and remain in private hands

There is no central registry for cemeteries located in Missouri. The following national cemeteries are located in Missouri:

  • Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole Street, Springfield, Missouri 65804. All known soldiers buried there, including those transferred from towns throughout southwest Missouri were published in Ozar'kin
  • Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 101 Memorial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. There is a card file reference to persons interred there. Inquiries may be made by phone or mail.
  • Jefferson City National Cemetery, 1024 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. The researcher may phone or write the Jefferson Barracks for information.

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Wright County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Wright County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Wright County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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