In a message dated 4/19/00 6:29:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, kcecyr@mcmsys.com writes: << Official state birth and death records started in 1910 in MO. They are at the Bureau of Vital Statictics in Jefferson City, MO. Unless your relative got a "delayed" birth certificate, as my mother did who was born in 1909, I don't believe there are any birth certificates before 1910. Any addition information on this from researchers? Cecy Rice >> I have a genealogical request form from the Missouri State Archives. It states: The State of Missouri began keeping birth and death records statewide in 1910. Prior to 1910 a few birth and death records were kept from 1883 - 1893. Dates vary from county to county. NOTE: Exception on dates - St. Louis City began keeping records as early as 1847 (incomplete). I once tried to obtain a record for a relative born in Randolph County in the 1883-1893 time period. My request was returned with a note saying the record was not readable and to try the county courthouse. The indication was that whatever copies the Archives had were originally obtained from the county courthouse. I never followed that up so I cant say if the Randolph County courthouse has anything or not that would be useful. My own grandfather was born on a farm outside of Higbee in 1901. He also had to get a delayed birth certificate. Carole Brace