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Clay County, Missouri
Genealogy, History & Facts

Clay County, Missouri Facts

When was Clay County, MO Created?
Clay County was created on January 2, 1822 from Ray County.

What is the County Seat of Clay County, MO?
The County Seat is located in Liberty and in addition the county government website is www.claycountymo.gov

What counties are adjacent to Clay County, MO?
Bordering Counties are Clinton CountyRay CountyJackson CountyWyandotte County, Kansas, Platte County.

Clay County, MO Vital Records

Where can find Clay County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Clay County vital records can be found at the Missouri Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records reported from January 1, 1910. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Missouri for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Clay County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Missouri Birth and Death CertificateMarriage and Divorce Certificate Application to mail.

Another resource is the Clay County Health Department has Birth Certificates since 1920 and Death Certificates since 1980.

Clay County, MO Census Records


What Clay County, MO census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Clay County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 183018401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Clay Co. Slave Schedules is available for 1850 & 1860. Clay Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Clay Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Clay Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890. There are free down-loadable and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Missouri Census Records Research Guide

Clay County, MO Courthouse and Government Records

Clay County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Clay County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Clay County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Missouri courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Missouri residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Clay County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Missouri Courthouse Records Research Guide.

Clay County, MO Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Clay County, MO?
A list of Clay County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Missouri Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

  • Clay County Archives and Historical Library, P. O. Box 99, Liberty, MO 64069; Telephone: 816-781-3611, Fax: 816-781-3611; Street Address: 210 E Franklin, Liberty, MO 64068
  • Clay County Historic Sites21216 Jesse James Rd, Kearney, MO 64060; Phone: (816) 628-6065
  • Smithville Historical Society, P.O. Box 270, 303 West Main Street, Smithville, MO 64089; Phone: (816) 532-0255
  • Thrailkill Genealogical Society, 2018 Gentry, North Kansas City, MO 64116
  • Excelsior Springs Historical Museum101 E Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024-2513; Phone: (816) 630-3712
  • Excelsior Springs Genealogical Society, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
  • Watkins Mill Association, P.O. Box 419038, Kansas City, MO 64183
  • Northland Genealogy Society , P.O. Box 14121, Parkville, MO 64152; Phone: (816) 741-3981
  • Historic Liberty Jail, 216 North Main Street, Liberty, MO 64068; Phone: (816) 781-3188
  • Heart of America Genealogical Society and Library , c/o Kansas City Public Library, 311 East Twelfth Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
  • Partee Center for Baptist Historical Studies, 500 College Hill, William Jewell College, Liberty, MO 64068; Phone: (816) 781-7700, ext.5490
  • Missouri State Archives, Missouri State Information Center; P.O. Box 1747, 600 West Main Str, Jefferson City, MO 65102
  • Missouri State Library – 600 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; (573) 751-4936
  • Missouri Historical Society, P.O. Box 11940, St. Louis 63112-0040
  • Missouri State Genealogical Association, P.O. Box 833, Columbia, MO 65205-0833

Where can I connect with other Clay County, MO Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Clay County, MO?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Clay County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a payment. This is just a directory which has been gathered or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.

Clay Co. MO Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Clay Co. MO Books, Newspapers & Publications

Clay Co. GA Cemeteries & Church Records

Clay Co. MO Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Clay Co. MO General and History Websites

Clay Co. MO Military Records

Clay Co. MO Schools & Directories