Franklin County Family History Records

Franklin County genealogy records date from 1819, one year after the county was organized from St. Louis County. This makes Franklin County one of Missouri's oldest counties, and its records are among the most extensive in the state. Marriage records, land records, court files, and probate documents all go back to 1819. There are no known courthouse disasters, so the collection is largely intact. For researchers tracing family lines in east-central Missouri, Franklin County's depth of records makes it one of the richest counties to search.

Franklin County Recorder of Deeds

The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds is at 400 East Locust Street in Union, MO 63084, phone 636-583-6355. Marriage records and land records both begin in 1819. Because there have been no major courthouse disasters in Franklin County, these records are in much better shape than in counties that suffered Civil War era fires or other losses. Researchers can often trace Franklin County families back to the earliest days of American settlement west of the Mississippi River.

Standard recording fees are $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page in Missouri. Contact the Franklin County Recorder directly to verify current copy fees for certified documents. The Missouri Recorders Association at morecorders.com maintains a full directory of county recorder contacts. Marriage licenses in Franklin County today cost $46.00, with both parties required to appear in person and no waiting period.

Note: Franklin County's uninterrupted record collection makes it an excellent county for deep genealogy research. Early 19th century land transactions here can trace settlement patterns for families who later moved to other Missouri counties.

Franklin County Court and Probate Records

The Franklin County Circuit Clerk holds court and divorce records from 1819 and probate records from the same year. More than 200 years of court history are preserved in Union. These files include civil cases, divorce proceedings, estate settlements, wills, and guardianship records. The depth of this collection is significant for genealogists because it covers the full span of European-American settlement in the region.

Court cases filed after November 12, 2003 are searchable for free on Case.net. Older records require a direct request to the Circuit Clerk in Union. For probate research, Franklin County's early estate files from the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s can name settlers, their families, and their property in the earliest period of organized county government. These files are often the only surviving record for families who lived and died before more systematic vital record-keeping began.

Franklin County probate files are especially valuable when tracing German immigrant families who settled in the county during the mid-1800s. Estate inventories often reflect the household goods and farming equipment that immigrant families brought with them or acquired after arrival, providing historical context alongside genealogical data.

Vital Records in Franklin County

The Franklin County Clerk held birth and death records from 1883 through 1890. These early vital records can be accessed at the Missouri State Archives. The County Health Department holds birth certificates from 1920 and death certificates from 1980. For statewide vital records, the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City has documents from 1910 forward. Certified copies are $15 each. Reach them at (573) 751-6387 or visit health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords.

Free death certificate searches from 1910 to 1969 are available through Missouri Digital Heritage at sos.mo.gov/mdh. The Missouri State Archives research room at 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, phone (573) 751-3280, can assist with older Franklin County records. Death certificates, early birth records, and land documents are all searchable through the Archives' online tools and in-person research services.

Franklin County Historical Society and Libraries

The Franklin County Historical Society is at 116 East Main Street in Union, MO 63084, phone 636-629-5410. They maintain local history collections including family files, photographs, and records that may not be found in government archives. Franklin County has an unusually large number of historical organizations given its size and age. The Washington Historical Society at 4th and Market Streets, Washington, MO 63090, phone 636-239-0289, and its affiliate at P.O. Box 66, St. Clair, MO 63077, both contribute to the area's historical record.

Franklin County has an extensive library system with multiple branches holding genealogy resources. The main Franklin County Library is at 915 Elmont Road in Sullivan, MO 63080, phone 573-468-3668. The Scenic Regional Library at 308 Hawthorne Drive in Union, phone (636) 583-3224, covers the Union area. The Washington Public Library at 410 Lafayette Street, Washington, MO 63090, phone 636-390-1070, and the Pacific Public Library at 111 West Smith Street, Pacific, MO 63069, phone 636-257-2712, round out local library options. These branches often hold local newspaper collections on microfilm, obituary indexes, and compiled county histories.

The State Historical Society of Missouri at shsmo.org holds Franklin County materials including newspaper collections and county histories. The Missouri State Genealogical Association at mosga.org provides additional research tools for the region.

Online Franklin County Genealogy Records

Missouri Digital Heritage is the primary free online portal for Franklin County records. Death certificates from 1910 to 1969, land records, and other digitized materials are searchable at sos.mo.gov/archives. The Franklin County MOGenWeb page at mogenweb.org/franklin adds volunteer-compiled records, cemetery data, and family history contributions specific to this county.

FamilySearch has extensive Franklin County collections at no cost, including census records, some vital records, and military records going back to the early 1800s. Given the county's age and intact records, FamilySearch's Franklin County holdings are among the richer county collections in Missouri. Use the FamilySearch catalog to see what is currently indexed before making a trip to Union or sending a mail request.

Nearby Missouri Counties

These counties border Franklin County in east-central Missouri. The Missouri River forms the north boundary and many families settled along its banks before moving inland, making neighboring county records an important part of the research picture.