The Montgomery County Historical Society (MCHS) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Society owns two buildings in Montgomery City that house an extensive genealogical library and a museum of artifacts and antiques. All research requests replies, building staffing/maintenance and website management are donated by volunteers.
If you like what you find here, please become a member and/or make a donation to help us continue our mission. We also welcome contributions of your own research, be it family history or documented historical articles that would interest other visitors.
Pioneer Days, a 96-page illustrated history of the County, has been well-received by both those new to our history as well as long-time residents.
which can be searched by keyword.
Families Peters, Holschag, Brinker, Engelbrecht
We are grateful to the author, Norman R. Peters, for sharing his family history and his skill of turning research into a great story. Follow the links to learn how an expert followed the clues to bring his ancestors to life. Mr. Peters also donated a copy of Rhineland area obituaries which were compiled by Floyd Van Booven (beginning 1925). Thank you for sharing!
Bicentennial Century and Founding Farms
The MU Extension for the College of Agriculture recently published a booklet to acknowledge the generations of farm families who have helped build Missouri over the past two centuries. A special category of 30 Founding Farms have been in the same family for over 200 years. In Montgomery County, this group includes:
- The Snethen-Cundiff Farm, original owner William Snethen
- Graham Cave Farms, original owner Robert Graham
The annual Century Farm program grew out of Missouri 1976 Centennial Farm project. Since its inception, more than 8,000 Missouri farms have received the Century Farm designation. There were 231 applicants in 2021, the 200th anniversary of Missouri statehood.
From those first farm settlements to today’s enterprising operations that continue our state’s proud agricultural and ranching traditions, your families have been essential to America’s growth. Most important, your care of the land remains the bedrock of the communities you have helped create, sustain and shape.
Missouri History Scavenger Hunt
Organized by the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society in honor of Missouri's Bicentenial and featuring Callaway, Audrain, Boone, Cole, Montgomery and Osage Counties. Hit the road (October 1 thru November 30, 2021) and learn about our heritage! The 2021 Scavenger Hunt will take you to 21 historic sites in central Missouri. Start your journey by downloading the Scavenger Hunt packet with all 21 locations, directions, and site descriptions. Then travel mid-Missouri, visit the historic sites and capture a photo. 
Three easy ways to be entered into the prize drawing on Dec. 7 - Email, Facebook or In Person.
Photos can be submitted as you go along, weekly or all at once. Please submit selfies/photos, even if you don’t visit all the sites — we want to see where people visit!
Those who visit ALL 21 sites and have photos authenticated by KCHS will have their names entered into a drawing on December 7, 2021, for one of three prizes.
Resources for Bocholt Germany Emigrants
Here are some recently discovered resources for those researching German families who migrated from the Bocholt area. These are the kinds of finds that make a genealogist salivate! What can you share?
- This link to the Nordrhein Westfalen Archives offers a variety of resources. One researcher found some great Dingden maps of 1828 and 1839 that showed Koermann resident locations. If a photo icon appears after you search a keyword, the resource is available for free.
- Another researcher shared Floyd Van Booven’s 94 page book of Rhineland obits (beginning 1925 and ending about 1980). Thank you NP!
- Early (prior to Starkenburg records) marriages and baptism of the original German settlers were found in the St. Francis Borgia, Washington, Franklin, Missouri records on the LDS Family Search site. Thank you SS!
- German 1749-1750 population registers, the “status Animarum” created by the Catholic Church for tax purposes (I think) can be found here. You will search by town/parish. Thank you GK!
- Bocholt civil status records1654 to the 20th century. Head and personal appraisal registers, fire cadastre, residents' registers and house appraisals from the city of Bocholt, from municipalities of the Bocholt office and today's Bocholt districts of the former Liedern-Werth office help with genealogical, prosopographical, architectural and / or economic-historical research. Thank you SS!
- The Hermanner Volksblatt Newspaper (1875-1928) is available on Newspapers.com and via Ancestry's All Access membership.
As always, MCHS asks that you share your finds and documented research to help us with the mission of preserving and perpetuating the rich local history of the Montgomery County. What can you share?
Ground Penetrating Radar at St. Joseph Cemetery
A previous article History of Hunt-St. Joseph Cemetery discussed “folklore” regarding unmarked graves which has been confirmed by three sources. Click here for full article with illustrations.
- The existence of unmarked graves is supported by the memories of Jerome Van Booven and his son Gary Van Booven whose father/grandfather August (1902-1979) dug many graves here. August shared stories from his father Ludwig (1873-1961) about an unfinished log church’s foundation and mass grave of cholera victims.
- The oral tradition is further supported by a plat map that Gary copied in the 1960’s at the request of the cemetery committee. He transcribed the map from a very old (but undated) parchment copy onto drafting mylar.
- A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan of the area shows the perimeters of the church and grave. GPR, the affordable version (not the TV version), is not an exact science that prints a distinct picture. It indicated soil disturbance or simply “something different” below the surface.
There is additional “folklore” regarding the burial of victims of a steamboat wreck. The Van Booven plat map does not show such, but the GPR identified another area of disturbed ground. Please contribute any facts that could help substantiate a steamboat wreck / burial. Of course, this area could also be unmarked individual graves of others who passed away prior to the existence of St. Martin’s Cemetery. Can anyone contribute helpful information? 
MCHS is most appreciate to the Van Boovens for sharing their knowledge and documentation. Thank you, Jerome and Gary!
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October 23
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the Senior Center while under COVID restrictions.
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November 9
Library & Museum Open
To confirm a visit, or make a request, contact montcogen@gmail.com
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November 9
Genealogy Society Meeting
To confirm, contact montcogen@gmail.com
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November 11
Veterans Day
With respect, honor and gratitude ... Thank you for your service.
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November 25
Happy Thanksgiving
tis the time to be thankful!
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