Resources for Ripley Co MO

For those of you who live in or near Doniphan, if you have any additional info to add to this page please email it to me

If you are doing research in Ripley Co and need some guidance to more information than can be found here at MORipley GenWeb, then this page should be of help.

1.  Where to write for Vital Records in MO
2.  Addresses and Phone numbers for related sites in Ripley Co.
3.  County Formation Information
4.  Additional Info if you are planning a research trip to Doniphan.
5.  What might be found where in Doniphan

Where to Write for Vital Records - Missouri

Event: Birth or death Cost of copy: $10.00

Address: Missouri Department of Health; Bureau of Vital Records; 930 Wildwood; P.O. Box 570; Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Remarks: State office has had records since January 1910. Certified copies of most Missouri birth and death records are also available from local county health department or the St. Louis City or Kansas City Health Departments. For details, please contact these offices directly. If event occurred in St. Louis (City), St. Louis County, or Kansas City before 1910, write to the city or county Health Department. Copies of these records are $10.00 each in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. In Kansas City, the fee is $6.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at same time. Computer issued copies containing the state certification are $10.00 each. Check or money order should be made payable to Missouri Department of Health. Personal checks are accepted. To verify current fees on birth and death records, the telephone number is (573) 751-6400. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the internet at http://www.health.state.mo.us/BirthAndDeathRecords/BirthAndDeathRecords.html
A downloadable PDF file is available at the above site for Birth and Death Records.

Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: No fee
Address: (see birth/death above)
Remarks: Indexes since July 1948. Correspondent will be referred to appropriate Recorder of Deeds in county where license was issued.

Event: Marriage (county) Cost of copy: Varies
Address: See remarks
Remarks: Recorder of Deeds in county where license was issued.

Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: No fee
Address: (see births/death)
Remarks: Indexes since July 1948. Certified copies are not available from State Health Department. Inquiries will be forwarded to appropriate office.

Event: Divorce (county) Cost of copy: Varies
Address: See remarks
Remarks: Clerk of Circuit Court in county where divorce was granted.


Addresses for Ripley Co Research
Doniphan Courthouse
    Recorder of Deeds Bob Featherston Ripley Co Courthouse Doniphan MO 63935 573-996-7941
    County Clerk Becky York  100 Courthouse Sq.,  Suite 2, Doniphan MO 63935 Phone 573-996-3215
    Assessor's Office 573-996-7112

Historical Society Museum  996-5298
Doniphan City Hall 573-996-2623
Conservation and Forrestry 573-996-2153
Prospect News PO Box 367, Doniphan, MO 63935 Phone 573-996-2103
Ripley County Abstract Office 118 Washington Doniphan, MO 63935
Ripley County R-3 Schools HC6, Box 200 Gatewood, MO 63942
Doniphan Ripley Co Library 207 Locust St. Doniphan MO, 63935 Phone 573-996-2616

County Formation Information
 
Carter County was formed in 1859 from parts of Oregon, Reyolds, Ripley and Shannon Counties; the county seat is Van Buren. 

Oregon County was formed in 1845 from Ripley County; the county seat is Alton. 

Shannon County was formed in 1841 from Ripley County; the county seat is Eminence. 

Ripley County was formed in 1833 from Wayne County; the county seat is Doniphan.

Wayne County was formed in 1818 from Cape Girardeau County; the county seat is Greenville. 

Cape Girardeau County was formed in 1812 as an Original District; the county seat is Jackson. 

Also of note.  Butler Co. was formed in 1849 from Wayne Co.  The extreme Eastern portion of Ripley Co. became the extreme western portion of Butler Co. at that time.  It is not noted on the site.

What might be found where in Doniphan
For those who have never been to Doniphan and are planning a visit, the following info was submitted by Ray Burson of the Ripley Co Historical Society:

The public library has a new genealogy room with lots of reference material and a new microfiche reader/printer that is much better than the old one was.  At the museum (open 9 - 4 Mon. - Fri. and 9 -1 on Sat.) you can view and/or purchase the McManus cemetery books and Obituary book and the county history book as well as see the history in the museum.  There is a photo album of rural students from the '40s and '50s and an extensive collection of Doniphan high school annuals. Marriage and property records can be looked up at the recorder's office in the courthouse. 

Where to stay in Doniphan

Days Inn is the best place to stay and the Annex has the best restaurant food.  Patsy's Journeyman next to Days Inn is also quite popular.

Days Inn 573-996-2400

This page last updated Sep. 13, 2008