1) Rev up your “Sherlock Holmes” skills – Search beyond the basics
Cemeteries
City Directories @ local libraries, genealogy societies & Fold3
Congregations; https://stlgs.org/research-2/congregations
-Baptist
-Catholic
Catholic Churches in St Louis;
Catholic Churches Map in St Louis;
“Researching Your Catholic Ancestors”;
Archivist, Rena Schergen, will discuss researching Catholic records within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which encompasses the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, St. Charles, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington. She will briefly cover records regarding parishes, schools, orphanages, priests, cemeteries, religious orders, newspapers, and more.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 529gYO9!
-Jewish
Immigration/Naturalization
-“Research Tip – Immigration”;
-“Leaving Home and Becoming An American,” Part I;
Our ancestors endured the hardships of leaving their homelands to ensure better lives for themselves and, ultimately, for us. Learn the basic principles of immigration research, how and why your ancestors left their homes, and how to track them, if possible.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
(Note: at about 10 minutes into the recording, the connection dropped for about 2 minutes then resumed.)
Password for the recording: V^%HLk5=
-“Leaving Home and Becoming An American,” Part II;
If your ancestors became American citizens, they followed a process that kept changing over time. We will look at some of the naturalization laws in effect since early in U.S. history, see some sample records, and discover what you may or may not find on naturalization forms.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: rT6?JD!s
Ethnic heritage
-“German Genealogy Begins in the US”;
Ultimately we seek a German village of origin in U.S. records. But first—We connect ourselves to an ancestor. Recognize and avoid online pitfalls. Use a different thought process for each ancestor. Answer U.S. questions. Build the whole U.S. family. Learn about Germany. Verify the German village with two U.S. records. Then, we begin research in Germany with parish records.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: Dos^P1JW
-“Reading German Handwriting”;
Learn the handwritten old German alphabet, as well as helpful tips and resources for reading and understanding historical German records.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: G+@@V5e^
-“Beginning Irish Research”;
Learn the basics of Irish genealogy. Explore ways to find parishes and townlands using available records.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: jvX#V9^#
-“Intermedicate Irish Research”;
So what if most of the Irish census records were destroyed in 1922. There are still many records available to help you find that coveted townland, as well as other fascinating facts about your ancestors. This class explores what you can find in Irish records and where to look.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: P5.4?Lx&
Land & Property
-“Finding An Ancestor’s Land at the Bureau of Land Management Website in Plat Maps”;
Poles, rods, chains, townships, sections, and ranges––land surveys can be very confusing! Once you’ve mastered the measurements, however, there’s a vast amount of information waiting for you to discover. We will take a look at how to understand and use the rich collection available online at the BLM website as well as how to use and interpret plat maps.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 3daqM^iz
-“Research Tip – Measuring Land”;
Maps; https://stlgs.org/research-2/community/maps
Military @ Fold3 (free @ library or online via library card)
Missouri State Archives; h https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/resources
Newspapers
-ChroniclingAmerica.com (free)
-GenealogyBank.com ($)
-Newspapers.com ($)
“Orphanage Care in St Louis”
There have always been orphans in every society, although how orphans have been cared for varies. The first orphanage in St. Louis can be traced to about 1828. Learn about the history of orphans and orphanages in St. Louis. (This lecture was part of the StLGS 2020 Fall Speaker Series and is one-hour long.)
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: +SK7RtH4
PERSI (Periodical Source Index)
St Louis Resources
-“St Louis Resources Online”;
Family historians doing research in the St. Louis metropolitan area are extremely fortunate to have so many repositories in which to work, and most of them have robust websites allowing access to indices and records from afar. If you haven’t already discovered the rich treasure at your fingertips, here is your chance as we take a look at more than half a dozen of the local and state-wide (Missouri and Illinois) sites you will most likely want to learn to use effectively.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is no longer available; however, the class will be repeated in 2026. Please check back
-“Research in St Louis”; https://stlgs.org/media/freeforms/research-in-st-louis-2025.pdf
2) Place your family in history
-Timelines;
https://stlgs.org/media/freeforms/timelines.pdf
-Genealogical Timelines Can Be Wonderful Research Tools;
http://stlgs.blogspot.com/2025/07/genealogical-timelines-can-be-wonderful.html
3) Brick Walls
“Finding Grandma”
Researching female ancestors is difficult due to name changes and lack of records, especially when you consider women had few legal rights throughout much of history. AThe majority of records are in the man’s name and women were silent partners.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 3veKq82.
4) DNA
“Genetic Genealogy and DNA Testing”; https://stlgs.org/research-2/publications/guides-to-research/genealogy-research-tips/research-tip-genetic-genealogy-and-dna-testing
“Got dNA”;
If you have received DNA testing results and don’t know what to do with them or are just contemplating taking a test, you will want to participate in this basic DNA class. Learn what types of DNA tests are available and how to use the results of those tests to complement traditional genealogical research.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: R8&j6*!j
“Using DNA Testing For Your Research”;
You’ve heard of at-home DNA tests, but what can they actually tell you and how can they help you with genealogy? Join us as we explore the three basic types of DNA: autosomal DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-DNA. We will cover testing options, how they differ, and which one might be the best for your needs.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 3tNDeQ!h
5) Learn how to preserve & protect
“Preserving Family Documents and Photos”;
Where and how are you storing your family’s unique paper treasures? How do you preserve those deteriorating family documents and photos? Learn more about proper preservation of paper heirlooms so you can protect your precious family inheritance.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: S%Pn1hs%
6) Share your family story
“Using Power Point For Genealogy”;
You’ve seen dozens of lectures presented using this software, but have you thought of how you might use it for your genealogy? Learn the basics of creating PowerPoint presentations so you can share family photos, memories of trips, family stories, research documents, and so much more.
The handout for this class is here.
The digital recording for this class is here.
Password for the recording: 42=B5@1i
Write a biography on an ancestor
Publish your family’s story
Understanding GEDCOM & Posting Family History by Ted Steele and Ilene Kanfer Murray;
https://stlgs.org/media/pdf/gedcom-2019.pdf
