The Ralls County Historical Society recently voted to sponsor the writing and publishing of a book length history on Ralls County.

            The primary content of the book will be family histories. Each Ralls County family will be asked to write a historical sketch not to exceed 500 words. The book will also include a general county history. Other possible inclusions will be histories of various organizations, businesses, schools, churches, landmarks, etc.

            The hardbound library book will be published by Acclaim Press, a company which has published hundreds of county history books nationwide. The company will be assisting the group and county residents throughout the project.

            At least two representatives from each community are needed to help compile the history. Ron Leake, chair of the book committee, is interested in finding other county residence who can lend their talents to the compilation of the history.

Committeepersons of the Ralls County Historical Society Book Project; Ron Leake, Allen Ballard, David Todd,  Jacquie Stuart  and one more the be named

All Ralls County families are being requested to send historical sketches about themselves to the Ralls County Historical Society (RCHS) for its upcoming History Book of Ralls County. The stories are to be not more than 500 words.
The RCHS recently voted to sponsor the writing and publishing of a book-length history on Ralls County.
Ron Leake, chairman of the book committee with the RCHS, said the family stories may be e-mailed to him at rwleake@aol.com but this is not required. “It can be written in any form — typed or even hand-written,” he said. The RCHS’ address is P.O. Box. 463, Perry MO, 63462.
“There is no limit on how many (family stories) we can have,” Leake said. “The publisher told us ‘the more the merrier.’ ... We will collect the material and catalog it and send it” to the publisher, Leake said.
The hardbound library book will be published by Acclaim Press in Sikeston, Mo., which Leake described as “a company which has published hundreds of county history books nationwide. The company will be assisting the group and county residents throughout the project.”
“It it will be bound real well, and it will be a reasonably priced book,” Leake said.
The book cover will feature the historic Ralls County Courthouse.
An earlier History of Ralls County was written by Goldena Howard and published in 1980. A new version is needed, Leake explained, because it was 31 years ago, and a generation and a half has gone by.” Also, he said, “a lot more people have become interested in genealogy.”
Leake expects the book to sell to people from Ralls County across the country, reporting “a lot of people have Ralls County connections. In the historical society we have a lot of members all over the United States.”
Although the primary content of the book will be family histories, it will also include a general county history. Other possible inclusions will be histories of various organizations, businesses, schools, churches and landmarks.
At least two representatives from each community are needed to help compile the history, Leake said, adding the historical society is interested in finding other county residents who can lend their talents to the compilation of the history.
Committee members of the Ralls County Historical Society Book Project in addition to Leake are Allen Ballard, David Todd and Jacquie Stuart and Janet Shulse Golian.
“The important thing is getting people involved in the production,” Leake said. He hopes to hear from people who are interested in helping.
For more details call Leake at (573) 248-6147 or e-mail him at rwleake@aol.com.