Access Pulaski County Obituary

Pulaski County obituary records are available through the courthouse in Waynesville, local historical societies, and state databases maintained by the Missouri State Archives. The county seat is Waynesville, and county records go back to 1833. Pulaski County is home to Fort Leonard Wood, which means military records play a larger role here than in many other Missouri counties. This page covers every office and online tool you can use to find obituary and death records connected to Pulaski County.

Pulaski County Courthouse Records

The Pulaski County Courthouse is in Waynesville, MO. The Recorder of Deeds handles marriage and land records. The County Clerk holds birth and death records from the pre-1910 registration era. The Circuit Court Clerk manages court and divorce records. Marriage records, land records, and court records all date back to 1833, when the county was formed.

The courthouse is the first stop for Pulaski County obituary research when you need supporting documents like marriage licenses, probate records, or land transfers. These records can help confirm family connections and provide details that round out a genealogy search. The Recorder also files military discharge documents, which can be especially relevant in Pulaski County given the presence of Fort Leonard Wood.

Pulaski County Historical Society

The Pulaski County Museum and Historical Society is at P.O. Box 144, Waynesville, MO 65583. You can call 573-855-3644 or email pulaskicomo@hotmail.com. They are also on Facebook. The society maintains local history archives, photograph collections, family histories, and museum exhibits. Their collection is a useful resource for Pulaski County obituary research, especially for families with long ties to the area.

The Genealogy and Historical Society of Pulaski County, also based at the same address in Waynesville, focuses more on family history research. They can help you navigate local records and connect with other researchers who may be working on the same Pulaski County family lines. Between the two organizations, you have access to a solid local genealogy network.

Pulaski County Genealogy Resources

One of the more extensive online resources for Pulaski County genealogy is available through Hearthstone Legacy, which hosts the 1889 Goodspeed's History of Pulaski County. This includes about 130 pages of county history and 56 pages of biographical sections. A family surnames index makes it easier to find specific individuals. The Goodspeed histories were published in the late 1800s and cover many of the early families in Pulaski County, which makes them a good starting point for obituary research on people who died in the 19th century.

The Pulaski County USGenWeb project also provides free genealogy resources including cemetery transcriptions and military records. Given that Fort Leonard Wood has been a major presence in the area since 1940, military records are more relevant to Pulaski County obituary research than in most other Missouri counties. Many families moved to the area because of the base, and their records may span multiple states. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis holds military service records that can help trace veterans who lived in Pulaski County.

Note: The Military Gravesite Locator can help find burial information for veterans who served at or near Fort Leonard Wood.

Pulaski County Death Certificates

The Pulaski County Health Department handles recent vital records. For deaths from 1980 to the present, you can request a death certificate through the local health department. Under RSMo 193.255, you must have direct and tangible interest to get a certified copy. For older deaths, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Records more than 50 years old transfer to the State Archives, where copies cost $1.

Pulaski County Records at State Archives

The Missouri Digital Heritage website provides free access to pre-1910 vital records for Pulaski County. The Missouri State Archives death certificate database covers 1910 through about 1974. The Missouri Death Index covers 1954 to 2024 with over 3.8 million records. Under RSMo 193.225, records over 50 years old transfer to the Archives. All three databases are free.

The Missouri State Library genealogy guide and the State Historical Society of Missouri offer additional tools for Pulaski County obituary research. Newspaper archives from the State Historical Society may include local Pulaski County papers that carried obituaries and death notices.

Public Access to Pulaski County Records

Under the Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610), public records are open for inspection. Recent death certificates are restricted to authorized parties under RSMo 193.245. Death records more than 50 years old are open to anyone who requests them. Cemetery records, genealogical society collections, and the state archives databases are all freely available for Pulaski County obituary research. The combination of military records, local historical society materials, and state databases gives Pulaski County researchers a broader set of tools than you might expect in a rural Missouri county.

Missouri Veterans Records

Given Fort Leonard Wood's presence in Pulaski County, the Missouri Veterans Commission can help locate military service records and burial information for veterans who lived in the area.

Veterans records can supplement Pulaski County obituary research with service dates, discharge information, and burial location details.

Cities in Pulaski County

Waynesville is the county seat of Pulaski County. Fort Leonard Wood and the city of St. Robert are also in the county. All vital record and obituary requests go through county offices in Waynesville or the state health department. No cities in Pulaski County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Pulaski County is in south-central Missouri. Check neighboring counties if you are not sure where the death was recorded.