Understanding the StLGS Collection
Successful genealogy begins with knowing where records were created, who maintains them, and where they can be found today. The St. Louis Genealogical Society focuses its collection on records that are local to St. Louis and that may not otherwise be readily available in one place.
What the StLGS Collection Emphasizes
StLGS concentrates on records from St. Louis City and St. Louis County, particularly local sources that may be difficult to locate, access, or search elsewhere. These include records and indexes associated with:
- Religious congregations
- Cemeteries
- Funeral homes
- Monument companies
- Local military units and organizations
- Fraternal, civic, and social societies
- Schools
- Hospitals, nursing homes, and eldercare facilities
- Other St. Louis-area institutions, businesses, and organizations
Some of these records predate government registration of births, deaths, immigration, and other major life events. Others provide details that may never appear in federal or state records.
Why Local Records Matter
Federal and state records often provide the basic framework of a family history. Local records can add the evidence needed to confirm identities, distinguish between people with similar names, establish relationships, locate residences, and better understand how an individual or family lived.
By collecting, preserving, indexing, and expanding access to St. Louis-area records, StLGS helps genealogists find important evidence that might otherwise remain scattered, difficult to search, or unavailable online.
What the StLGS Collection Does Not Include
StLGS does not duplicate major federal or state record collections, which are maintained by government agencies such as the National Archives and state and county offices. These records are widely available through official repositories and other major research services, so duplicating them is not the best use of society resources.
