Please Help StLGS Move Forward in 2022!

Once again, as we approach the end of our second Pandemic Year, St. Louis Genealogical Society is encouraging all our wonderful, loyal members and friends to remember us in year-end giving plans. As we look back on where we have been and where we are going, it is obvious that only through your support, donations, and participation has our society been able to weather this long storm. 

We are so proud of how much we have learned during these past two years. Having mastered the basics of remote learning in 2020, we spent 2021 perfecting our ability to reach you via Zoom and planning for how to emerge from the pandemic in 2022, once it is completely safe to welcome you back in person. 

Dealing with Nicknames in Our Genealogy

We are used to nicknames; we see them all the time. We all know that Bill is short for William and Susie is most often Susan or Susannah. Our ancestors frequently had nicknames; they are nothing new. But sometimes we are confronted with nicknames that are confusing and need a bit of interpreting. This week, we will look at some.

StLGS Genealogy News

This week, we have a few short items to share that feature StLGS and its members. First, we would like to thank those of you who took a few minutes to visit our website and vote. You may recall that this year's election for society officers was for treasurer and vice president for programs. Voting ended on the first of November, and we would like to congratulate Michelle Pearce and Kay Weber for winning unanimously.

November Genealogy Events and News

Finally, it feels like fall! Halloween is behind us, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa will be here before we know it. Our genealogy year is winding down, but we have an interesting monthly meeting planned for November, and, if you missed the livestreaming of our Fall Speaker Series, "Mapping Our Ancestors," you can still register to watch the digital recordings. Our friends in St. Clair County, Illinois, have an upcoming meeting that may be helpful to you, and we want to share an honor recently bestowed on a historic African American cemetery in St. Louis County. Read on for all the details.

Did Our Ancestors Trick or Treat?

Whether your neighborhood will be teeming with children asking for treats on Halloween night or not, it is likely most of us will be unable to resist those large packages of bite-sized candies lurking in every store. Is your downfall Reese’s peanut butter cups, Skittles, or sweet, sticky candy corn? Maybe Almond Joy minis or KitKat bars? Candy companies have super-sized Halloween during the past few decades and earned billions of dollars for their hard work. But where did the whole Halloween trick or treating idea come from? Did our ancestors walk door to door with little carved pumpkins asking for goodies from their neighbors? Let’s explore the origins of trick or treating.

Understanding QR Codes

Perhaps you have noticed the recent proliferation of those QR code squares that are popping up on your TV screen? They used to be restricted to print but now they seem to be showing up on televisions and billboards too. Are you confused by what they are or how to use them? Are you a bit concerned that maybe they aren’t safe or whether you should even bother with them? Well, here’s the scoop on QR codes so you don’t have to wonder any longer.

StLGS October/November Upcoming Genealogy Events

As 2021 rolls into its last few months, we encourage you to continue to stay in touch with us and to take advantage of the remaining programs we have scheduled for the fall. Register for the Fall Speaker Series, featuring a full day of lectures on "Mapping Our Ancestors" in America, enjoy the last Irish SIG meeting of the year, and join us for the November monthly meeting. Behind the scenes, the StLGS programs committee is working hard and almost ready to announce our exciting schedule for 2022. Read on for what's coming up and watch for announcements about next year!