Missouri in the War of 1812

Were your families in what is now Missouri before 1812? Did you know the War of 1812 included men from Missouri? St. Louis Genealogical Society has published a set of books, The War of 1812 in Missouri, volumes 1 and 2, that may move your research forward for those early families. These volumes are rich in the history of the pioneers and Native Americans who were in the Mississippi and Missouri River Valleys during the early nineteenth century. The editors have added maps, glossaries, bibliographies, and indexes filling both volumes with valuable information for researchers of the time period. The maps alone are a Missouri researcher's gold mine.

Compiler Robert Parkin, nationally recognized genealogist and one of the founders of St. Louis Genealogical Society, wrote three books on the history of the Missouri Rangers and the War of 1812. He donated these, along with his entire collection, to the society many years ago. These original manuscripts were revised by StLGS volunteers, Ann Carter Fleming, CG, CGL, FNGS; Ruth Ann Abels Hager, CG, CGL; and Ilene Kanfer Murray, M.A.Ed., who edited and expanded his existing material into two volumes.

Volume one, called Tales of the Red Head, Black Hawk, and Missouri Rangers, centers on the life and times of William Clark, Black Hawk, and the intrepid men and families who settled the frontier. Old Missouri names such as Bollinger, Boone, Howell, Sibley, and Zumwalt are featured. From the Bootheel to the Iowa border and from St. Louis west across Missouri to Fort Osage (now in Jackson County), this volume covers the Missouri of that time period. The creation of pioneer forts, Indian uprisings, and murders on the Missouri River are all covered in detail.

Volume two, called Profiles of Missouri Rangers, contains genealogical and biographical information on many of the people mentioned in the first volume. At the end of this volume is a section with rarely-seen early maps of the state and individual counties along the rivers. 

If you had ancestors in the territory that became the state of Missouri, or you are a historian with a special interest in Missouri, you will want to have these two volumes in your collection. You can buy them singly or in a set. Additional information about the contents of the books is on our website. You can also go directly to the books in our secure store. (StLGS members: Remember to log in first to get your coupon code for the store.) Questions about the books? Send an email to sales@stlgs.org.

Not just individuals, but every library within the Louisiana Purchase boundaries should own these books. If your library does not own this set of books, why not recommend they purchase the set? Or, since many libraries are facing budget shortages, why not donate a set to your favorite library, if they don't already have one?

(Many thanks to Viki Fagyal, Ann Carter Fleming, and Ruth Ann Abels Hager for writing this week's post.)