Camden Point Female Academy

August 16, 2010

As an avid genealogist, I have always been fascinated with the history of the towns where my ancestors lived.  What was life like for them?  Where was the land they lived on?  Why/how did they arrive at that particular destination?  There are many reasons why your ancestors settled where they did.  Sometimes, it was convenience -  that’s where the trains stopped or the boats docked.  Other times, it was your relatives moved to the places where others they knew from the “Old Country” had already immigrated.   I have traveled to many locations where my ancestors resided, including an interesting trip to Finland, Scotland, Germany, and Ireland last year.  Along the way, I stood on the land of my ancestors, walked into the churches they attended, and even visited their gravesites.  As I made these journeys, I took time to learn about the communities in which they lived.  It’s an important part of your family history. 

So, you’ve been thinking about researching your family’s history.  In addition to visiting our fabulous Midwest Genealogy Center, how about checking out the local resources within your community?   At the Camden Point Branch, you can learn about the history of this town.  Did you know Camden Point was once home to the Camden Point Female Academy/Orphans’ School for Girls?  William Kincaid, a Scottish schoolmaster, founded Camden Point in the early 1840’s.  Soon after the town was founded, his vision of opening a school for girls became a reality.  In 1848, the school opened, but unfortunately a fire erupted and burned down the school in 1854.  The school was re-built and flourished.  In 1869, it was sold to the Christian Church and renamed The Female Orphan School.   As the Civil War left many orphans, the school was designed to educate orphans as well as other women.  In 1904, the school’s name was changed to the Missouri Christian College.  The school did not survive the Great Depression.  After more than 80 years of service to the area, the school closed down and was vacant for more than a decade.  In 1944, it was dismantled.  Read about the history of this school in a book entitled, History of Platte County, Missouri:  A Proud Legacy.  In the back of the book, there are numerous family histories with some wonderful photos.  It’s possible you may find some long lost relatives while learning about your community.  Look to our reference section next time you visit our library.  Also, ask to see the file on Camden Point which contains many news articles about this community.

Sandy O.
Camden Point Branch