I have been at the MO State Archives in Jeff City, also, but it was a number of years ago. I would echo the caution about what you plan to bring in. Many state archives and libraries will only allow _pencils_, so that stray marks can be erased. Some may now allow laptop computers, but the carrying case cannot be taken in, and there are limited places to plug in for power. This is all to protect the security of the documents the archives contain. I have taken a little hand-held scanner into state libraries, but that was obtained after I visited the MO Archives. All that being said, there are the records you would expect to find at the county level, but may have documents that the county has discarded, lost, or otherwise destroyed (fire, water, moldy cellars). You may also find some early newspapers, although the collection at Columbia is better for that, I believe. You may find some obscure things for which you would not even know to ask. For example, I found the cattle brand/earmark registrations for one ancestor (different state, but representative of the arcana that state archives may contain). The state archives would also be a better source for state level records (courts, prisons, state taxes, state census, state pension, Confederate veterans' records, highways construction) than would be true at the county level. Although I cannot, of course, guarantee that you will find that long lost document that ties your family into a nice, clear bundle, it does fit into the "leave no stone unturned" approach of the genealogist. I also suggest that you arrive early, oil up the writing hand for taking notes, plan to find more than you think you might, and bring lots of change if they do allow self-service copying (the state archives tend to be the pricier end of copy services). John R. Porter

Thanks for all the advice. I lived for 10 years in Columbia [and as most statements are made sometime in the course of a conversation], "I wasn't into genealogy then!" I also have a brother in law who lives in Jeff City and won't have to pay the parking. Since I have so many families in MO, looks like if I go, that I will need to narrow them down with specific things I'm looking for. Will have about 4 hours if I want, just wondering what they could possibly have [I know, that sounds dumb! but the mother counties I have families, have great resources and their records were not burned during CW like some of other counties in the state]. I read somewhere that they might have neighboring states' info... anybody know? Lanita