Introduction to Czech (Bohemian) Genealogical Research

For those of you with Czech (Bohemian) ancestors, here is a chance to learn more about this interesting avenue of research. You are invited to a free two-hour workshop, sponsored by the Czech School Board, on Tuesday, 3 June 2014 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The presentation will include the following topics:

1.  Family and Home Sources
2. The Czech Immigrant Split in America (Czech Catholic Church and Czech Freethinker Movement)
3. Czech Language
4. Czech Surnames
5. Czech Language Publications (including how to find your ancestors when you don't read the language)

The workshop will take place at the American-Czech Educational Center, 4690 Lansdowne Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116. For questions, contact Marcella at helenxyz@att.net.

Valhalla Cemetery Plans Remembrance Ceremony for Forgotten Veterans

On Saturday, 24 May, at 10:00 a.m., Valhalla Cemetery will transfer the remains of twenty-two

veterans who had died, been cremated, and then abandoned at the cemetery since 1924. These previously unclaimed ashes will be taken to Jefferson Barracks where they will finally be put to rest with long overdue full military honors. Everyone is invited to take part in this moving ceremony.

The South County U.S. Marine Corps League Color Guard/Rifle Team, the Boeing Concert Band and the Boeing Balladeers, and Don Gerspach, the Missouri Coordinator of the Missing in America Project, will be featured in the ceremony.

The cemetery is located at 7500 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Louis. Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort. For more information, call 314-863-3011.

Seafaring Ancestors?

If you are in the St. Louis area, Research Librarian, Tom Pearson, invites you to his class on "Old Salts: Researching Your Seafaring Ancestors" at the St. Louis Public Library on Saturday, 17 May, from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

Tom will discuss books, manuscripts, microfilm, and Internet sources of information on those who served in the U.S. Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. The class will be held at the downtown library in the training room on the second floor.

Parking downtown is now metered on Saturdays but the library owns a lot at 15th and Olive, behind the Campbell House, which is a block or two away, and that lot is free to library patrons. You will need to pick up a token at one of the entrances to the library so you can exit the lot without paying.

To register or for more information, contact Tom at tpearson@slpl.org.