Columbia Manuscript Collections

The papers contain letters from William Garth to Margaret McNaull, 1954-1955, with references to the early families and history of Columbia and Boone County.

The Fredric D. Redeker Collection contains documents from German and English speaking communities in Missouri. It includes records of minutes, correspondence, genealogical information, and a religious manuscript. Much of the correspondence, as well as the manuscript, are written in German.

The papers contain typescripts of genealogical material including wills, census reports, marriage records, maps and correspondence pertaining to the Stillwell, Scott, Rosebrough, McCord and related families from Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The material was compiled by Norman Bolin of Evansville, Indiana.

The Boone-Tate family papers consist of the research and genealogy of the Boone and Tate families, which ultimately culminated in the publication of the Boone Family Record written by Maude Tate Boone.

The Rock Bridge Memorial State Park records contain documentation of the founding of the park, the fundraising campaign, the acquisition of property, and the correspondence of the Park Board.

The records contained in the Solid Waste Task Force collection consist of pamphlets, brochures, letters, notes, newspaper clippings, and legal documents. The records display a clear path from citizen activism to the implementation of laws intended to address citizen concerns.

Correspondence, genealogical material, transcriptions of wills and deeds, notes, and clippings related to the Wood, Warren, Gibbs, Church, Peabody, and other connected families. The Wood family appears to have originated from York, England, then settled in Maine, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Bristol County, Massachusetts. The majority of the material focuses on the 1700s.

Records of an environmental coalition concerned with protecting and restoring the native Ozarks forests. Includes files on lead mining and poisoning, incinerator use, wood chipping, logging, forest planning, and other environmental issues in Missouri.

Genealogical material consisting of correspondence, handwritten notes, typescript material, family group sheets, maps, newspaper clippings and photographs of the Cooper, Avery, Van Pelt, Royster and other related families.

The papers of William Jenkins contain two diaries, a baseball club ledger used as a scrapbook for newspaper clippings, a Missouri license plate, and several miscellaneous publications, programs, and souvenirs.

Stock transfers; receipts; meeting minutes; vouchers; invoices; certificates; business proposals; court cases; agreements; construction specifications; articles of incorporation; accounts; reports; and balance sheets, etc. of numerous railroad companies. Also includes material from the Missouri and Arkansas Lumber and Mining Company and a builder/general contractor.

The records of the New Providence Presbyterian Church contain the church constitution, minutes, records of births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages, as well as Sunday School minutes and a few miscellaneous letters regarding church members.

The papers of Frank Young contain genealogy research of the Shoemaker family, beginning with Johann Heinrich Schumaker (John Henry Shoemaker) who came to Berlin, Pennsylvania, from Germany in 1768. Mr. Young traced the family through at least four generations and several hundred descendants. The papers include correspondence from his genealogy research, such as letters from relatives with information for the family tree. The papers also include a few wills, deeds of estates, and some obituaries and newspaper clippings about the Shoemaker family.

The business records of Theodore Bross, consisting of four volumes of a general blacksmith in Flint Hill, Missouri. The ledgers include name of customer, services rendered, such as horse shoes, wagon repairs, parts and various farm tools sold, and prices charged.

Records of the freight station in Brookfield, Missouri, including train agents and conductor's records of trains on hand and trains passing through; their contents, destination, etc., 1884, 1885, 1891. Also includes the Veteran's Association Annual Reports of the Burlington Lines for 1938 and 1940.

Correspondence, newsletters, and meeting minutes of the organization advocating an integrated network of bike and pedestrian routes through the city of Columbia, Missouri.

Materials concerning Platte County, Missouri, history compiled for the Missouri Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee.

The papers consist of the meeting minutes, pamphlets, officer reports, and other business materials pertaining to the operation of the United States Daughters of 1812, Missouri Chapter. Also included in the collection is the correspondence of Mary Miller Smiser, who served briefly as president of the organization.

The papers of Edwin Allan Fessenden contain some schoolwork and one scrapbook documenting his time at the University of Missouri in the early 1900s.

The papers consist of correspondence and descriptions regarding the Civil War Battle of Wilson’s Creek that took place in Springfield, Missouri, on August 10, 1861. Also included are maps, letters from the Shepard of the Hills Association, Lebanon, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce Commercial Club, Civic Groups, the Missouri State Legislature, and other organizations endorsing efforts to make Wilson’s Creek Battlefield a National Park/Memorial.

Various deeds, receipts, correspondence, notes, and merchandise lists of Thomas P. Bundridge and Robert Long of Sullivan and Linn Counties.

Two scrapbooks containing roll call lists, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, letters, and photographs of the Camp Fire Girls, Shuta Group, Columbia, Missouri. The material covers various events and activities of the group from 1940-1946.

Request for 50,000 volunteers from Civil War General Sterling Price from the Standard Extra, Columbia, Missouri, newspaper, 1861.

Scrapbooks, correspondence, manuals, meeting minutes, memorial foundation guides, and photographs relating to the history and events of the Phi Delta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a music honorary for women.

The papers of an Osage County family that includes correspondence, photographs, military records, Osage County history, and genealogy records for the Plassmeyer and related families.

The papers of Rose Nolen contain clippings, research materials, and manuscript drafts of a Sedalia, Missouri, journalist. Topics include the Katy Depot in Sedalia, the Methodist Inner City Church in Kansas City, Black Panthers and the Black Power Movement, Bothwell Regional Medical Center, and Sedalia history.

Letters, receipts, documents of John W. Irwin, 1861-1906. These include receipts for the purchase of merchandise, land taxes, legal/court fees, court summons issued by Justice of the Peace, correspondence regarding land deeds, various tax receipts, and a bond for a deed.

The papers of a criminal lawyer and lieutenant governor of Missouri, 1873-1875. Includes diaries, photographs, a scrapbook of news clippings, and miscellaneous papers.

The records of the Columbia, Missouri, Rotary Club, District 605, which contain correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, newsletters, publicity material, membership records, activities, conference material, and photographs.

The records of Nebel and Son, of High Hill, Missouri, contain bee-keeping supplies price lists, land leases, ledgers, and miscellaneous papers from the family business of John and Emil Nebel.

The papers consist of newspaper clippings documenting the civil rights movement in 1967. Most of the clippings originated in St. Louis newspapers. They document race relations and racial disturbances in the United States.

The papers of the Willett Family document the professional and civic activities of Rollin and Seena Willett family of Columbia, Missouri, including their involvement with the White Shrine of Jerusalem and the Athens Rebekah Lodge.

The William Redmon collection consists of one account book documenting sales at his Tipton, Missouri, drugstore and one book from 1905-1906, listing car licenses issued in the state of Missouri. Very little information is included in the automobile license record book.

The collection consists of the daily journals and business ledgers of Frank Welsh, a farmer in Linn County, Missouri. Welsh describes his daily farm activities, the weather and expenses.

The records of the Friendship Christian Church in Boone County consist of ledgers documenting membership, Sunday school attendance, and land deeds associated with the church. (See also C2372, Church of Christ at Friendship membership record)

The papers of Camp Kimtu contain camp logs for the years of 1932, 1934, 1935, 1937, and 1939. The camp logs contain photographs, stories about the camping trip, and names of all of the camp counselors and girls who attended each summer.

The papers of the Adamson family contain Edmund James Adamson's business correspondence and records, including taxes, deeds, promissory notes, and receipts, family correspondence, and some family genealogy. The Adamson family lived in Dade and Lawrence Counties.

Three scrapbooks containing Christmas greeting cards.

One audio cassette tape and one audio tape of speeches of Frank H. Farris, Missouri State Senator, "The Ozarks," and "I Don't Know Where I'm Going, But I'm On My Way." Also the memorial service held for Senator Farris in the Missouri State Senate.

A Chemists' and Druggists' Diary, 1876, which includes notations on weather, social life, and business in Boonville, Missouri.

A color film showcasing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion, produced by Southwestern Bell in 1970.

Three farm account ledgers from the Redmon and Hurst farm near Tipton, Missouri; Redmon and Hurst Farms, correspondence; official Postmaster's account and record book from Tea, Missouri.

The papers of the Toll, German, Kemper and related families, of the Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri, area contain correspondence, genealogical material, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and extensive photographs.

The Grand Army of the Republic collection consists of the roster and meeting minutes of Post 178 located in DeWitt, Missouri.

The Philip Gottschalk Collection contains research materials for his publication In Deadly Earnest and multiple versions of the original manuscript.

The Saunders family papers contains family photographs, correspondence to and from Eva Pearl and Ed Saunders and other documents related to the Saunders and Danner families of Cass County, Missouri.

The collection consists of interviews with a wide array of Missourians who have had an interesting personal history and life. The collection consists of digitally recorded interviews, transcripts, and ephemera.

The records of the M.M.M. Club of Fayette, Missouri, contain minute books, book lists, yearbooks, and other organizational materials for the club. The collection includes information related to individual meetings and the club’s long-term planning related to finances, membership, and future topics of discussion.

The papers of a medical doctor in Jacksonville, Missouri, consist of two ledgers. One is a commercial ledger, listing individuals and amounts of merchandise in Jacksonville, Missouri, 1871. The other lists patients and services kept by Dr. Petty from 1881-1888, along with accounts for Petty and Co., 1930-1939.

Three scrapbooks of newspaper clippings from the Mexico Ledger, Mexico, Missouri, about shows and performances in that town from 1902-1924.

The records of the King's Daughters and Sons, Missouri Branch, contain scrapbooks of the Missouri branch of the International Order of King's Daughters and Sons. They also include records of the Missouri Branch's retirement home in Mexico, Missouri, including scrapbooks, applications, minute books of meetings for building expansion, and financial records.

The papers contain copies of pension records, military records, and memoirs of members of the Missouri Infantry, 21st Regiment, Volunteers, and other material pertaining to Civil War soldiers.

Scrapbook of photographs, newspaper clippings, and letters concerning the acquisition of the J. Christian Bay Library by the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1942.

The records of the American Legion Post 202 in Columbia, Missouri, chronicle the actions of the veteran organization from 1919-2009. This includes yearly meetings, as well as the different events they hosted and attended. The collections contain letters, documents, photographs, financial documents, newspaper clippings, and two scrapbooks.

The papers of Virginia P. Tindall contain information about the Women’s International Auxiliary to the International Typographical Union, photographs, convention materials, and other information pertaining to Tindall’s activities working in labor rights.

The papers contain correspondence, notes, scrapbooks, programs, event materials, and some photographs which focused on the American Bicentennial celebrated by a number of Missouri counties in 1976.

The papers consist of letters Harold Smith sent to his family in Missouri while serving in the Korean War. The collection includes his letters, documents he found interesting, and special messages he included on some of the envelopes.

The papers of Victor Estevez and Carl Megl contain material from organizations Estevez was a member of; newspaper clippings related to HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ activism; and personal papers of Estevez. It also contains the papers of Carl Megl, a friend of Estevez and the first student at the University of Missouri, Columbia, to die of AIDS-related complications.

The records of the first Board of Trustees of the City of Slater, Missouri, and meetings of the Board of Aldermen, which contain meeting minutes.

The collection consists of two travel logs kept by T. Thistle McKinney, one of an automobile trip taken in 1928 through the northeastern states, Canada, and the eastern states. The other was made in 1929, through parts of northeast Missouri and into some Ozark counties. The volumes include numerous postcards and some photographs of places McKinney visited.

The papers of a member of the editorial department of the Macon Chronicle-Herald, Macon, Missouri, contain newspaper clippings of local individuals and events, receipts, poetry, grocery bills, automobile license tax receipts, and other miscellaneous items.

The papers of a medical librarian for the Ellis-Fischel State Cancer Center, a public school and college instructor in literature, music, and performing arts, and amateur genealogist. The papers focus on genealogical research material, correspondence, notes, publications, newsletters, newspaper clippings, family group sheets, name lists, scrapbook material, photographs, slides, and other miscellaneous genealogical material.

The collection of Elenore Schewe contains material of her research into refractory companies in Missouri, including both institutional records of the companies themselves and the personal papers and records of various important figures in the refractory companies. This collection was created as part of Schewe's work assisting in the research for the book Refractories: the Hidden Industry by Corinne Azen Krause.

The Loire-Kuzmich family papers consists of items collected by Barbra Kuzmich, including photographs and letters, as well as documents chronicling the lives of Genevieve Loire and the Kuzmich family.

Correspondence, research material, announcements, photographs and postcards of Doris Crump Bradshaw, and her husband, William L. Bradshaw, a professor in the Department of Political Science and later Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

The papers of the Trimble family contain clippings related to the Trimble and Duncan families, correspondence between the families, and the diary from 1876 to 1879 of Susan Duncan, the mother of Martha Duncan who married into the Trimble family.

Genealogical material in the form of correspondence, notes, photographs, slides, obituaries, histories, marriages, and funerals of the McGee and other related family members. Also includes Civil War muster rolls.

The records of the St. Joseph Typographical Union No. 40 consist of correspondence, meeting minutes, contracts and agreements, convention materials, financial records, and miscellaneous materials of a printers’ trade union.

The records contain minutes, programs, church reports, histories of some individual churches, correspondence, financial records, resolutions, and newsletters. The material largely concerns churches located in Boone County, but also includes other Missouri counties as well.

Photocopies of miscellaneous papers including discharges, enlistments, Confederate bills and notes, stamps, insignia, orders, and mustering out papers of soldiers, including officers, mostly from Missouri.

Kansas City Bridge Company business correspondence of Sherman Matthews and H. M. Jopling, Jopling’s Nelson High School physics experiment workbooks, and a standard two-week time book to calculate wages owed, 1923-1930.

The papers of the committee contain correspondence, newsletters, reports, updates, events awards programs, lists of elected members, historical information on “Centennial Farms” and “Liberty Trees,” meeting minutes, announcements, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual material for a slide presentation entitled “The Spirit of ’76.”

The Donna Cowan collection includes two scrapbooks: one on conservation in Missouri, and one on Missouri Girls State, 1957. The Missouri Girls State was sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Missouri, which provided Missouri girls citizenship training in order for them to better understand and participate in the functioning of the government.

Constitution, minutes, correspondence, membership lists, committee reports, financial records and miscellaneous papers of a group formed soon after the Charter-City Council form of city government was begun in Columbia.

The records of the Paris M. Walker Funeral Home, Marshall, Missouri. Volume one is an expense book/ledger, 1898-1904, and 1928-1934. It contains Paris M. Walker
receipts listing materials or services provided, and costs. Volumes 2-9 contain funeral records of individuals covering the years 1902-1920.

The "As I Recall" Oral History Project records contain audio recordings and some transcripts from a collaborative project between KBIA-FM and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Most oral histories in this collection were conducted by Gary Kremer, Director of the State Historical Society, in 2006.

The materials contain pamphlets, catalogs, guides, speeches, programs, yearbooks, periodicals and books produced by Missouri colleges, universities, academies, and other educational institutions.

The papers of Charles Gibson contain two scrapbooks that cover the travels and career of St. Louis attorney, Charles Gibson. Both volumes chronicle Gibson's legal career in the late 1800s and his European travels, specifically dealing with his interactions with imperial families of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The scrapbooks include correspondence between Gibson and German nobles, documents from the German imperial family, an appointment from Abraham Lincoln, photographs of his home and of his travels abroad, and newspaper clippings from the 1890s.

The papers of Russel Wilbur contain minute books and correspondence from St. Louis organizations attended by Reverend Russel Wilbur. Other volumes include personal diaries and poetry books that belonged to Wilbur's mother, Charlotte Wilbur.

The Shoemaker-Matthews Scrapbook is a collection of poetry and writings collected by the Shoemaker and Matthews family.

The papers of Tennessee 'Tennie' Selby Burk contains her personal papers including genealogical information on her family and on various Missouri chapters of the Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC).

The ledger of Hays Winterbower & Co. contains listings of purchases and purchasers at a general store in Cooper County.

The records of the St. Clair County, Missouri, School District contain teacher's student records, term reports to District Clerk, Board of Education meeting minutes, and Annual School Enumeration Records.

The records of the Trinity Episcopal Church contain artifacts recovered from the Kansas City church's cornerstone. These include architectural sketches and timelines of the church's construction as well as Kansas City newspapers from the day the cornerstone was laid.

The papers of Floyd Pearman contain correspondence and other papers related to his employment with the Farm Security Administration and other New Deal programs. Pearman worked in central Missouri assisting farmers in purchasing and maintaining land during the Depression and World War II.

The records of the Copher and Stidham families contain dates of births, deaths, and marriages, wills, and military records. The volume contains both original records and transcriptions created by J.H. Stidham.

The records contain correspondence, reports, newspapers, special studies, projects, and meeting minutes on the passage of a National Arts Council bill and creation of the Missouri Council of the Arts.

The papers contain letters, expense entries, photographs, receipts, licenses, and genealogical material related to the Challis, Dysart, Wilcox, and Forbis families of Boone, Cole, and Pettis Counties.

The Bettie Peak Papers include two scrapbooks of poetry and news clippings, as well as a small collection of photographs relating to the Peak family of northern Missouri.

The records of the Missouri Senate Equal Rights Amendment contain papers relating to the Missouri Senate's hearing on the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment from 1977. Testimonies were made before the Missouri Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments on February 2, 1977. The Missouri House of Representatives had already passed the Equal Rights Amendment at this point, and the ERA had already been ratified in 35 of the 38 states necessary for it to become law.

The papers of the Interfaith Council, Columbia, Missouri, contain monthly newsletters, meeting minutes, annual reports, and announcements.

The papers consist of examination papers, workbooks, and a high school teacher training guide.

Certificate of United States citizenship for a University of Missouri chemistry professor.

The records of the Boone County Retired Teachers Association contain meeting minutes, membership directories, newsletters, obituaries, photographs, and scrapbooks.

The papers contain material generated or received by Harry M. Hyatt, a genealogist. The material consists of family lineage charts, family correspondence, journals, photographs, and correspondence between Harry Hyatt and other genealogical researchers. Families researched are predominately the Richardson and Baker families, but other related families are included, such as the Miller and Walton families.