Hello List: I'm planning a trip later this year into MO to research several of my families in several counties in MO, but I need some history lessons. I have a copy of the Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920 so am familar with the counties to some extent. Perhaps someone who has a good sense of MO history might answer some questions for me. I have two families that migrated from KY to MO, one arriving 1811, the other 1818. One settled in the area that later became Ray County, the other settled in what later became Carroll County. I have found some marriage informatoin on them from published sources in both those counties, plus surrounding counties. I will be checking deeds, wills, marriage records, etc. that one normally finds in county courthouse. Questions: (1) What year was Ray County established? (2) What year was Carroll County established? (3) Should I also check in Howard County since both those counties (and some of the others that I will be visiting) were originally a part of Howard County? (4) I know that Ray County has a Genealogical Society housed in the old county home. Does Carroll County have a Genealogical Society/Library? (5) Does Howard County have a Genealogical Society/Library? I am aware of and will be visiting the libraries at Independence, Jefferson City, and the one on the campus of Univ. of MO. (6) Are there fairly large sized county genealogical socities/libraries in any of the counties in the NW quadrant of MO. Thanks for any information. I'm looking forward to my journey to that part of the country.