November/December Genealogy Meetings, Classes, and a Special Event at Sappington House

Happy Halloween! We are coming to the end of another year of genealogy meetings, classes, and special events, and, as fall finally arrives, StLGS volunteers are hard at work planning next year's exciting calendar of events. Our November monthly meeting will again be at the Grant's View branch of St. Louis County Library but will also be livestreamed for those who can't attend in person. We have our last Jewish SIG meeting in early December, and two more classes are on the fall schedule. Our friends at Historic Sappington House have a very special event to announce, of special interest to those whose roots go back to early St. Louis. Also, StLGS members, tomorrow, Tuesday, 31 October, is the last day to vote in our annual election of officers! More information about everything is below.

November StLGS Hybrid Monthly Meeting

Saturday, 11 November 2023

"How to Create a Family History Blog or Website," presented by Ellen Mays, research librarian, History & Genealogy Dept., St. Louis County Library; 10:00 a.m. (Central); free and open to all. 

In-person meeting will be held at the Grant's View branch of the St. Louis County Library, 9700 Musick Ave., St. Louis, MO 63123. You can also attend virtually via Zoom.

Join us as Ellen Mays, research librarian in the History & Genealogy Department of St. Louis County Library, illustrates how to create a family history blog or website using free blogging and website platforms.

No need to sign up if you plan to attend in person, but, you must register if you want to attend this meeting via Zoom. More details and instructions are on the StLGS website.

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StLGS Jewish Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting

Sunday, 3 December 2023

"Exploring Genealogical Resources at Washington University's Libraries," presented by AJ Robinson, interim Jewish Studies librarian, Washington University; 1:00 p.m. (Central) 

This meeting will be via Zoom only!

Join us for a glimpse at resources for Jewish genealogy research at Washington University's libraries. This will include an overview of the yizkor books at Olin Library, information on how to search and access the collections, and a demonstration of Hathi Trust Digital Libraries' search strategies for identifying relevant sources in libraries across North America. More details and instructions for registering are on the Jewish SIG page on the StLGS website.

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Upcoming StLGS Hybrid Classes

Classes for StLGS members are hybrid. You may attend in person at our office in Maplewood or via Zoom. 

The following classes are scheduled for the remainder of 2023:

"Finding Answers in the Census," presented by StLGS librarian Judy Belford, will be on Saturday, 18 November 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (Central) at the StLGS office or by Zoom.

"RootsMagic 9 (Windows and Mac) . . . and a Bit More on RM8," presented by Jim Ross, StLGS webmaster, will be on Saturday, 2 December 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (Central) at the StLGS office or by Zoom.

Check out the website to register for either or both of these classes. In-person classes are free to members but $30 for non-members; digital recordings of all our classes are only available to StLGS members, so why not join StLGS to get free access to our live and recorded classes!

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Last Call for StLGS Members to Vote!

Today is the last day to vote for the treasurer and the vice president of programs for 2024–2025. You will find a button at the top of the home page that will take you to a page with photos and bios of Michelle Pearce, who is running for treasurer, and Donna Foelsch, who is running for vice president for programs. Be sure you log in first, and then click the link on the voting page to access a ballot. It shouldn’t take you more than a minute or two, and Michelle and Donna will appreciate your support.

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Do you like history and wine?

You are invited to the Historic Sappington House 

for Swirl and Sip Wine Tasting

Saturday, 4 November 2023

4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The Joseph Sappington Log House was built in 1816, and the Historic Sappington House caregivers are raising funds to move the log house to Sappington Park to complement the 1808 brick house that was home to Thomas Sappington. The log house has been disassembled but now needs to be moved and reassembled in its new location, a costly undertaking! 

This special event will also be a showcase for St. Louis's First Families, as the group will have an 1818 petition on display asking for improvements to Gravois Road and signed by many early St. Louis families.

Cost for the wine tasting is $15. Wine by Old Farm Winery in Catawissa, Missouri; charcuterie and chocolates to complement the flavors by The Barn restaurant.

Historic Sappington House is located at 1015 South Sappington Road, St. Louis, 63126. Questions can be directed to site manager, Sally Cakouros, at 314-822-8171 or sallyc@historicsappingtonhouse.org.