Genealogy and
Local History
Browse the Genealogy Collection
Genealogy Collection at the Library
The library’s Local History and
Genealogy collection contains nearly 3,000 reference items handy in tracing
one’s family lineage. Many books focusing on Butler County, Missouri-- its
history and its people-- are available in this collection. Browse
the collection here, or search for these items in the library's online
catalog.
Digital Local History Collection
Poplar Bluff Library recognizes the importance of preserving our area’s rich local history, including the stories of its people and families, lands and rivers, businesses and organizations, religious institutions, schools and learning institutions, local government and officials, veterans, and historical significant events. To date, the library’s genealogy collection consists of over 2,700 books with a concentrated focus in Butler County and Southeast Missouri. In addition, the library’s microfilm collection archives the local newspaper from 1893 to present. Further, the library subscribes to historical and genealogical databases, such as Ancestry, HeritageQuest, and Newspapers.com, all of which support patrons in uncovering their own histories. In recent years, the library has identified the need to make its physical collections more readily accessible and discoverable to the community. Historical documents, collections, and information on Butler County and regional Southeast Missouri continue to be underrepresented in an online format, and it is the Library’s goal to increase access to this rich information and preserve it for future generations.
Search and browse the library' Digital Local History Collection here
Below are some unique items of interest in our Digital Local History Collection:
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Research Databases
Link to Butler County Vital Information on the Net
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Butler County Archives
- Located in the basement of the Butler County Courthouse, 100 N. Main,
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
- Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- List
of available records
- Mailing Address:
C/O Butler County Archives
Butler County
Courthouse
100 N. Main
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
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Butler County Genealogical Society
- Meets in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church, 500
N. Main, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
- 4th Thursday of every month from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (except November
and December)
- Mailing Address:
Butler County Genealogical Society
PO BOX
426
Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901
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Butler County Land Ownership
- Requires Adobe Flash Player
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Butler County Roots Web Project
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Chamber Of Commerce
Provided in keyword searchable PDF format
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City Directories
Provided in keyword searchable PDF format
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Local Museums
Provide invaluable historical information on the area and
its veterans, sports heroes, notable industries and residents.
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Poplar Bluff Tornado
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Poplar Bluff Tornado Exhibit at the Poplar Bluff Museum
May 9, 1927 was a day that changed Poplar Bluff forever. A terrible tornado occurred killing 86 people and damaging much of Downtown and the East Side.
In the main hall of the Poplar Bluff Museum, there are photos and exhibits about the buildings and the lives that were destroyed on that fateful day.
Poplar Bluff Tornado Pictures
When a tornado struck Poplar Bluff on May 9, 1927, it would become not just one of the deadliest tornadoes in Missouri history, but in United States history. As of 2025, it is ranked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the 17th deadliest tornado of all time, with 98 deaths and hundreds injured. This online album contains pictures of the devastation left behind by the May 9, 1927, picture damage to much of Downtown and the East Side.
Poplar Bluff Tornado: May 9, 1927 by Kati Wylie Ray
This book compiled and authored by Kati Wylie Ray with the Poplar Bluff Museum remembers those who lost their lives in the historic May 9, 1927, Poplar Bluff Tornado
Veterans
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Vetnow
For help transitioning from military to civilian life.
Butler County Veterans Wall
The Butler County Veteran's Memorial stands proudly in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Imagine
the pride you will feel as you view or even pass by the monument which bears the name of your loved one who proudly
served in one of this great nation's military branches of service. This links to an alphabetical index of the veterans names listed on the wall with a notation of column, row, and section.
Butler County WWI Veterans Online Exhibit
An online archive of the Butler County WWI Veterans Exhibit displayed in the library. Includes pictures and service records of those Butler County Veteran records voluntarily submitted for the exhibit.
Stars and Stripes Museum
The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library is located in Bloomfield, Missouri. This institution is committed to preserving the history of the Stars and Stripes Newspaper and the US Armed Forces.
Stars and Stripes Newspaper Archive
This database contains over 1 million historical newspaper pages from Stars and Stripes, the independent daily newspaper of the U.S. military.
At present this archive includes newspapers published from 1948 through 1999 and editions published in the UK and the Mediterranean (including North Africa) during World War II.
Vital Records
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Birth and Death Records - Databases and Indexes
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Birth and Death Records - Obtaining Certified Copies
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Cemeteries and Tombstones
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Local Records
- Recorder
of Deeds
Butler County Courthouse
100 N Main
Street
Room 106
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(573) 686-8086
bcrecorder@tcmax.net
Hours:
Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Records: real estate deeds,
marriage licenses, surveys, military discharges, federal and state tax
liens
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Yearbooks
The library has available digital copies of area yearbooks.
The digital yearbooks are provided in keyword searchable PDF files.
You are welcome to
download yearbooks from this webpage at no cost.
For staff assisted copies of a
yearbook, the cost is $10.00 per year plus the cost of a USB Drive ($6.00). Each yearbook is a
varying amount of memory. The library will make every effort to put as many yearbooks as possible on
one USB drive. If more USB drives are needed to fulfill a yearbook request, the library will charge
accordingly.
DISCLAIMER: These are high quality pdf scans of actual yearbooks that
have resulted in large file sizes. Load times will vary based on the individual user's Internet
speed. User assumes all responsibility for data rates and data caps.
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