ARCHIVES &
RECORDS OFFICE
MISSION
The Jasper County Records Center was established to preserve and promote the history, culture, and activities of Jasper County and southwest Missouri through the collection and preservation of historical materials. Access and use of the research materials are open to everyone. We welcome and encourage students, researchers, and members of the local community to visit and make use of the wealth of materials.
Staff and volunteers are available to consult with researchers to help plan their use of the collection's rare and unique resources, such as books, manuscripts, photographs, and other materials.
COLLECTION SCOPE
Considered for inclusion in the collection are print and non-print materials, included but not limited to, books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, photographs, manuscripts, maps, audio-visual materials, artworks, and government records. Priority is given to works about Jasper County or works about the area’s inhabitants, past and present, within broader southwest and Ozark Missouri historical context.
The Director of the Jasper County Records Center will acquire appropriate items by indefinite loan or by donation whenever possible. Individuals interested in donation an item or collection to the Special Collections should contact the Director to discuss the potential transfer.
We encourage, but do not require, a reasonable donation for time spent on research projects. The Records Center greatly appreciates all financial donations that can be put towards special exhibitions, general operations, and preservation equipment.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
In-person; if you are outside of the area, staff may be able to scan and send images of materials. Please click HERE for a fillable Research Request form that you can email to us.
Some of the materials at the Jasper County Records Center available for use include:
Cemetery Records
Circuit Court Records
Genealogical Materials
Historic Newspapers
Historic Photographs
Historic Scrapbooks
Maps
Marriage Records
Probate Court Records
Real Estate Records
Reference Library
Rural School Records
Tax Records
Vertical Files by Subject
PLEASE NOTE: In some cases, records are held at the office of their origin.
A list of materials the Archives does not possess include:
Marriage Licenses and Certificates (can be obtained through the Recorder's Office)
Real Estate Deeds (can be obtained through the Recorder's Office)
Birth and death certificates (can be obtained through the Health Department)
We are always happy to have new volunteers! There is something for everyone; no experience is required. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Director to set up an appointment.
RECORDS CENTER VISITOR AND ARCHIVE POLICY
No food or drinks are allowed around special collections materials.
Respect must be paid to all Jasper County Archives & Records Center staff and volunteers. Inappropriate, disrespectful, or intolerant speech will not be tolerated and can result in removal.
Phones, iPads and laptops are permitted. Pens, markers and highlighters are not.
All patrons conducting research will be asked to fill out a research request. This will help identify specific materials needed, which will be gathered by volunteers/staff. Due to project load, only projects of specific scope can be taken, and projects are handled in the order that they come.
All items must be handled with care. Patrons will be shown how to handle materials and will be under supervision by volunteers or staff.
To access the special collections in person, it is recommended to be set up by appointment. There is no guarantee the Director will be available to spend time on the project on a walk-in basis. Due to there being only one staff member, sometimes the Director is out working on county related projects away from the office during normal hours on an irregular basis. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
All patrons must remain in the designated research area unless given explicit permission by staff.
All bags, backpacks, purses and other items must remain at the front of the Research Center during research activities.
Copies are available at no charge for general researchers given an acceptable preservation condition of material.
Researchers assume all responsibility for abiding by the laws of libel, literary property right and copyright, which may be involved in the use of materials.
Credit must be given to the Jasper County Archives & Records Center for materials used in completed papers or projects. All persons using these materials must correctly identify the source and not use the materials in ways that falsify or misrepresent the information they present.
Some of the collections held at the Jasper County Archives may have restrictions on access. Collections may be restricted for a variety of reasons, including confidentiality, condition, or by donor request. Access to restricted collections cannot be granted unless written authority is given by the person or agency imposing the restriction. The Jasper County Archives will NOT accept item donations without a Deed of Gift form, no exceptions.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jasper County Records Center
Records Center Director and Archivist
Annie Golden
agolden@jaspercountymo.gov
125 Lincoln Street
Carthage, MO 64836
Phone number: 417-358-0404
Open Hours:
Monday - Friday
9AM to 4PM
The Archives is closed whenever the courthouse is closed (including county holidays and inclement weather). If the Archives has to close when the courthouse is open, we will do all we can to put up a notice on both the door and website ahead of time.