Genealogy News: State Historical Society, St. Clair Co., Bellefontaine Cemetery

The State Historical Society of Missouri operates research centers throughout the state: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Louis, and Springfield. Recently, they announced new hours for some of the research centers.

Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, and St. Louis centers will now be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. The Columbia research center will also be open from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Cape Girardeau's center will continue to serve patrons from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and Springfield's center remains as is from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Learn more about the State Historical Society's Research Centers on their website: http://tinyurl.com/y7rxphpz .

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Our friends at the St. Clair County (Illinois) Genealogical Society have announced their newest cemetery book for Prairie Du Long and Smithton Townships. The 118-page book "encompasses more than 3,200 burials through 2016 in thirty-one cemeteries." The Prairie Du Long section of the book contains all new material, whereas the Smithton Township section is an update of a 2003 edition. Burials began in both townships in the early 1800s. Both sections include maps: Higgins-Phillips, Wiskamp, Stehfest, and St. Augustine Catholic in Prairie Du Long and St. John the Baptist Catholic, High Prairie, and Franklin/Smithton City cemeteries in the Smithton section. The cost of the book is $15.00, which includes shipping. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, you can find an order form and more information on the society's website at https://www.stclair-ilgs.org/stcpub.htm .

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 With spring in the air, perhaps you are looking for a chance to get out and smell the flowers? How about a few hours in the beautiful grounds of Bellefontaine Cemetery, where you can also learn about some of the famous women buried there? On Saturday, 24 March, hop on a trolley for a two-hour tour, led by a master guide, who will highlight both the landscaping and the interesting women on the grounds. The tour, from 10:00 until noon, is free but pre-registration is required and donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are welcome. You can register and learn more on the website: http://bellefontainecemetery.org/event/trolley-tour-womens-history-2/.