Missouri, Civil Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is In This Collection?
This collection is an index to selected marriage transcripts from the counties of Greene, Jackson, Nodaway, and Pike, and includes records from 1820-1874.

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, ultimate rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians. The Missouri, Civil Marriages, 1820-1874 collection is index only due to these restrictions.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Marriage
 * Full names
 * Ages
 * Birth date and place
 * Parents’ names and titles
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Marital status
 * Previous spouse
 * Page/Volume/Entry/Certificate number
 * Image number

Coverage Map
To see a coverage map of FamilySearch's holdings of Missouri marriages, click here.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching the collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The place of marriage

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Search for birth and death records
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Search for the family in church, land, and probate records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Missouri.
 * Missouri Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.