Mississippi

Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service Aerial Photographs, 1938-1979 (P0335)
107.5 linear feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Missouri county aerial photographs produced by the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service.

American Revolution Bicentennial, Missouri Committee for Agriculture Papers, 1974-1976 (C4276)
1.2 cubic feet (42 folders), 1 audio tape

 Finding Aid

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.”

Athena Club, Charleston, Missouri Records, 1941-1992 (R0666)
(2 rolls of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

These are the records of the Athena Club, a women's club at Charleston in Mississippi County, Missouri. The records consist of minute books, 1953-1992; and scrapbooks, circa 1941-1985.

Mary Jane Barnett Papers, 1913-1997 (CG0004)
1.6 cubic feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The collection contains correspondence, photographs, diaries, scrapbooks, business-related trade journals, a Narcotic Register, and miscellaneous papers for Mary Jane "Miss Jane" Barnett and her life and business partner, Elaine "Tommie" Davis.

Bird Family Papers, 1831-1959 (R0170)
0.1 cubic foot (5 folders)

 Finding Aid

The Bird Family Papers contain photocopies of miscellaneous correspondence, estate papers, land records, business records, and biographical materials pertaining to the Bird, Byrd, Moore, and Hunter families of southeastern Missouri. The papers concern the business and estates in Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott counties in Missouri and the Bird estate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Bird's Warehouse Records, 1830-1836 (R0269)
(1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Bird’s Warehouse Records contain a microfilm copy of an account ledger of a freight warehouse, steamboat landing, and general merchandise business operated by the Bird family at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Ohio River. The warehouse was located at Bird’s Point, Mississippi County, Missouri or at Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois. An index to the accounts is available.

Bootheel Project Records, 1993-1997 (C3928)
3.2 cubic feet (122 folders), 157 audio cassettes, 9 audio discs, 2 video cassettes

 Finding Aid

The records of the Bootheel Project document the art, culture, and heritage of the Missouri Bootheel. The records include photographs, color slides, audio cassettes, transcripts, and video cassettes of interviews with Bootheel residents. Sound recordings, planning documents, field workers’ notes, and miscellaneous items collected throughout the project are also included.

E.E. Bryant Photographs, 1960, no date (P0760)
14 photographs

Photographs of houses and churches in the rural and Charleston areas of Mississippi County.

Allen Britten Cooper Papers, 1934-1955 (CG0033)
0.4 c.f.

 Finding Aid

527 sermon outline notes of Rev. Allen Britten Cooper from Charleston, Missouri, from 1934-1955. Also includes the published manuscript of the sermons by May Lawrence Cooper at an unknown time.

T. J. Dalton Records, circa 1863-1865 (R0323)
0.02 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Thomas J. Dalton Papers contain a photocopy of the Civil War memoranda book of Thomas J. Dalton, a resident of Mississippi County, Missouri, and non-commissioned officer of Company E, 8th Missouri Cavalry (CSA). The miscellaneous entries include a roster of Company E, notes on arms and accouterments issued to the company and matters of personal finance. An indexed typescript is available.

Ed DeField, "Remembrance of World War II", 1996 (R0681)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Ed DeField, "Remembrance of World War II" is a photocopy of a memoir of World War II by a native of Mississippi County, Missouri. DeField was a member of the 397th Antiaircraft Battalion. He served in Wales, Normandy, France, Belgium, and Germany, and in the Allied occupation force.

"Early Times," E.E. Bryant, 1961 (C2719)
0.04 cubic feet (2 folders)

 Finding Aid

A personal reminiscence and historical anecdotes collected by author since 1895, dealing with Mississippi County and Charleston, MO.

East Prairie Lions Club Records, 1947-1996 (R0682)
0.1 cubic foot (2 folders, 6 photographs)

 Finding Aid

These are photocopied program booklets for annual rodeos, minstrel shows, "jubilee", and the 70th anniversary of the Lions club chapter in East Prairie, Mississippi County, Missouri.

Gravel Ridge Baptist Church, Charleston, Missouri Records, 1925-1990 (R0609)
(1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Gravel Ridge Baptist Church, Charleston, Missouri Records contain microfilm copies of six volumes that include financial records, business meetings minutes, and membership information from 1925 to 1990.

Sarah Guitar Collection, no date (C3391)
1.5 cubic feet (5 card files), 2 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Warren E. Hearnes Papers, 1950-1972 (C3522)
9.0 cubic feet (686 folders), 9 rolls of microfilm (17 volumes)

 Finding Aid

Materials determined by Hearnes, governor of Missouri, 1965-1973, to be his personal papers. Bulk of collection is correspondence regarding campaigns, legislation, and Democratic Party. Material on gubernatorial succession amendment, 1965. Arranged by topic, then chronologically within topic. Scrapbooks are on microfilm.

Warren E. Hearnes Papers, 1964-1972 (C3585)
127 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Papers of Democratic governor of Missouri from 1965 to 1972.

Mattie Henry Papers, 1983 (R0191)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Mattie Henry Papers contain a compiled and edited grammar notebook used by Mattie Henry to instruct grade school students at Charleston, Mississippi County, Missouri. The book includes rules and examples for English grammar and sentence diagramming. The book was edited by Benjamin Bird Moore and was published by the Mississippi County Historical Society in 1983.

History of Anniston School and Community, E.E. Bryant, no date (C2129)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a brief history of Anniston, MO, describing its founding, name changes from Shellys Ridge to Hainleys Switch to Anniston, businesses, schools, students, teachers, churches, roads, recreation, and occupations of residents. Also included are lyrics of the Anniston PTA song, Anniston school songs, and cheers.

Dr. James Hopgood Photographs, 1970 (P0152)
8 photographs

8- 35mm slide transparencies showing Mississippi River, migrant workers' housing near Belmont and Dorena, February 1970, and a black housing area in Charlestown

W. J. Ivie, "A Message To The Homeseeker", 1939 (R0679)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a booklet published to promote economic development in southeastern Missouri. Sections are devoted to the communities of Sikeston, Charleston, Dexter, Malden, East Prairie, and New Madrid. Numerous businesses are profiled including information on proprietors, locations, services, and their histories.

David A. James Papers, 1790-2008 (C4126)
5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The research material of a hotel management instructor, whose work resulted in the publication Historic Hotels of Missouri: Hotels, Inns, and Taverns of 19th Century Missouri.

Levee District No. 3, Mississippi County, Missouri Collection, circa 1923 (R0326)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Levee District Number 3 Mississippi County, Missouri Collection contains a photocopy of a history of the levee district based in Mississippi County, Missouri, including a summary of levee construction prior to the flood of 1913 and improvements made after that date, with recommendations for future construction. The report was submitted to Little, Vardaman & Ditting of St. Louis, purchasers of the district’s construction bond.

J.H. Long Photographs, 1910-1941 (P0554)
24 photographs

Photos by Long of boats, particular emphasis on steamboats. Images of the St. Louis waterfront, Tower Rock in Perry County, and levee (mattress) construction near Birds Point.

Mark Twain National Forest Photograph Collection, circa 1900-1985 (R0485)
0.05 cubic foot (2 folders, 719 negatives)

 Finding Aid

These are photographs copied from holdings of the Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla, Missouri. Topics include National Forest facilities and projects; forest and wood industries; water mills; lakes, rivers, and springs; mines; dams; and the Civilian Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps.

James E. McGhee Civil War Research Papers, 1848-2020 (CG0047)
6.0 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Research materials, mainly reproductions of originals, accumulated by James E. McGhee, who was a preeminent historian and Civil War scholar from Missouri. Photocopied material includes journals, correspondence, maps, images, chapters from books, essays, newspaper articles, and so on. There are also 11 CDs, two microfiche rolls, two panoramic photos, a WWI-era journal, and one flash drive containing research materials.

Millar Family Papers, 1840-1899 (R0162)
0.02 cubic foot (2 folders)

 Finding Aid

The Millar Family Papers contain photocopies of miscellaneous papers of the Millar family of Mississippi County, Missouri. The collection includes a diary of a trip from Scioto
County, Ohio to Mississippi County in 1840, land and tax papers, slave records, and receipts issued by the Missouri State Guard at New Madrid during the Civil War.

Mississippi County (Mo.) School District #1 Records, (CG0063)
0.5 c.f.

 Finding Aid

A collection of records and personal papers regarding the organization and procedures for a rural school that covered the Texas Bend and Thompson Bend, MO townships. The records include student attendance for multiple years at this school. There are also record books that include the meeting notes and district information from the school board of District No. 1, Township No. 27 & 18, Range No. 16 &17, Mississippi County, MO. Additional documents include correspondence and county clerk records.

Mississippi County Teachers Association Records, 1903 (R1468)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Mississippi County Teachers Association Records contain a program for the Mississippi County Teachers Association event held October 29-31, 1903, at the courthouse in Charleston, Missouri.

Missouri Extension Homemakers Association, Inc., Sacred Stones and Stained Glass Windows Project Records, 1977-1980 (C3723)
7.1 cubic feet (334 folders)

 Finding Aid

Statewide documentation of local churches by county. Includes cultural arts reports, church histories, floor plans, architectural details, clippings, slides, photographs, and miscellany.

Missouri Place Name Survey Papers, 1954-1982 (C4390)
1.2 cubic feet (35 folders)

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, newsletters, notes, research material, papers, proposal, and publications of a committee of professors who undertook a Missouri Place Name Survey, building largely on the work of Professor of English Robert L. Ramsay, whose students compiled a survey of Missouri places in the 1930s. The survey was intended to produce a dictionary of Missouri place names.

Missouri. Mississippi County Act, 1845 (C1751)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Act by the general assembly to provide for the organization of Mississippi County. Signed by C[laiborne] F[ox] Jackson, speaker of the house; James Young, president of the senate; and John C[ummins] Edwards, governor, 14 February 1845.

Lynn Morrow Papers, 1804-2015 (R1000)
24 cubic feet (1051 folders, 5 oversize folders, 11,170 photographs, 852 negatives)

 Finding Aid

The Lynn Morrow papers contain correspondence and research papers, with an additional significant collection of late twentieth-century promotional and advertising items. The papers reflect major areas of Morrow’s research on the southwest Missouri region; Iron, Shannon, and Washington counties; Theodore Pease Russell and his writings; and the writings of Silas C. Turnbo. The collection also includes a large selection of promotional publications and ephemera associated with late 20th century tourism in Missouri and Arkansas.

Lynn Morrow Publications Collection, 1976-1978 (CG0051)
0.4 c.f.

 Finding Aid

The Lynn Morrow Publications Collection includes three cultural resource and soil reference books related to the southeast Missouri region from 1976 to 1978.

Alfred N. Nelson Letter, 1861 (R0311)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Alfred N. Nelson Papers contain a photocopy of a letter written on November 25, 1861, by Alfred N. Nelson of Company F, 10th Iowa Infantry, at Birds Point in Mississippi County, Missouri. Nelson mentioned camp sickness and operations in southeastern Missouri.

New Providence Baptist Church (Mississippi County, Mo.) Records, 1894-1906 (C0706)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Records of the monthly meetings of the Baptist Church at Hough Station, Mississippi County, MO, from its organization on 24 November 1894 until December 1906. Includes membership lists, persons accepted into and excluded from church membership, elections to church offices and committees, and pastors called and elected.

Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Records, 1760-2004 (CG0010)
296 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Oliver and Oliver Law Firm Papers contain case files and correspondence of the firm from the 1880s to 1980s. This collection also includes the genealogy of the Oliver and Watkins families, family correspondence, and civic involvements with the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution, and Presbyterian Church. In addition, this collection contains material related to the Little River Drainage District, Oliver Land and Development Company, and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

Quintin Papineau Photographs, 1996-1998 (CG0034)
0.01 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

35 photographs taken by Quintin Papineau of agriculture, buildings, springs, riverboats, and machinery several counties in southeast Missouri, Oregon County, Marion County, and cities in Illinois along the river.

Adam Perkins Papers, 1861-1871 (R1335)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Adam Perkins Papers contain a typescript copy of Adam Perkins' journal, a farmer from Bollinger County, Missouri, is dated from January 1861 through December 1871. The journal was discovered in 1990 in Plainfield, Illinois. It was then typescript by Jean Scott of Orlando, Florida and sent to Lorena S. Eaker of Bollinger, Missouri for editing.

Ramsay Place Names File, 1928-1945 (C2366)
6 cubic feet (12 boxes), 4 rolls of microfilm

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Card file of origins of Missouri place names, compiled by students of Robert L. Ramsay, University of Missouri professor of English. Cards are in alphabetical order by place name.

Rodney Family Papers, 1854-1874 (R1329)
0.1 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Rodney Family papers consist of legal documents related to the probate of various estates within the inter-related families of Rodney, Garrett, Ramsey, Walls and Whitelaw of Cape Girardeau and Mississippi Counties, Missouri.

Rotary Club International District 6060 Records, 1946-2021 (S0233)
11 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection contains correspondence, memos, yearbooks, directories, anniversary programs, and conference materials documenting Rotary District 6060's mission to support local rotary clubs through club visits and organizing yearly district conferences. Organized in 1910 with the founding of the St. Louis Rotary Club, District 6060 is an administrative body that oversees Rotary Clubs in the Eastern part of Missouri, from Hannibal to the Missouri Bootheel.

Scott-Mississippi Girls Basketball Tournament Collection, 1936 (R0945)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a program for the Scott-Mississippi Girls Basketball Tournament, which was held at Charleston High School in Mississippi County, Missouri, on March 3-6, 1936. Teams from Anniston, Charleston, and East Prairie in Mississippi county, and Benton, Blodgett, Chaffee, Diehlstadt, Fornfelt, Illmo, Morley, Oran, Sikeston, and Vanduser in Scott County participated.

Betty Kennedy Sewell Genealogical Collection, 1912-2016 (CG0011)
1.4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The collection contains genealogical research, including family group sheets, correspondence, clippings, and photographs of the Kennedy, Zook, Sheppard, Priest, Renfroe, Whitley, Gisler, Doughty, and affiliated families.

George W. Shinn Papers, 1861 (CG0015)
0.11 cubic feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

This is a collection of six letters written by Private George W. Shinn, a Union soldier in the American Civil War, which also includes transcriptions and other information gathered by the donor about Shinn.

A seventh letter, written by Solomon Kittrell on May 19, 1861 in Butler County, Missouri, shares his current situation as a farmer, river levels, soldiers’ movements, and the transport of African Americans through the region.

E. Herbert Smith Papers, 1954 (R0184)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The E. Herbert Smith Papers contain photocopies of a thirteen-page autobiography by a newspaper publisher and editor of southeastern Missouri. At one time or another during his sixty-year career, Smith was associated with the Benton Record, the Charleston Democrat and Enterprise, the Sikeston Star, and the Clarkton News.

Effie Mozelle Smith Photograph Collection, 1900-1910 (P0761)
7 photographs

Seven photos of Mississippi County and SE Missouri, including images of Whiting Public School ca. 1910.

Fritz Smith Papers, 1892-1900 (R0373)
0.03 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Fritz Smith Papers contain photocopies of a daily record of water levels on the Mississippi River at New Madrid, Missouri, November 22, 1892 to August 31, 1900. There are also occasional notes on the weather, river conditions, and steamboats.

Nancy K. Smith Postcard Collection, 1900-1970 (P0029)
268 postcards

Postcards, all views of hospitals and clinics and some sanitariums across Missouri.

Thad Snow Papers, 1923-1955 (CG0027)
1.31 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Thad Snow Papers include writings, correspondence, scrapbooks, memorabilia and photographs. Snow was a prolific writer during his life. He is best remembered for his column, “Letters from the People” for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch beginning in the 1930s. The topics covered in this collection include politics, foreign affairs, farming, Snow’s family, economics and human nature.