StLGS March Genealogy Meetings and Events

We've had a little taste of spring in St. Louis this week, and we are looking forward to our March meetings and events. If you missed the February meeting on "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Genealogy," featuring our co-webmaster Jim Ross, you can still watch the digital recording on our Monthly Meeting page and get some great ideas for how you can incorporate this new technology in your own family history research. You can dive deeper into AI at our upcoming Family History Conference! Later this month, the German SIG has a meeting, and we are excited to welcome you to our annual Open House on Saturday, March 22nd. Read on for more information. 

January 2023 StLGS Genealogy Meetings and Classes

Happy 2023! We hope you have had a peaceful and healthy holiday season and are now ready to start the new year with some exciting genealogy events. We continue to offer our meetings as hybrid when possible so that those of you who are unable to attend in person can still participate in society offerings. We start the year with what has become a tradition, our popular "Ask Louie" Q & A meeting, which, because of the unpredictable weather in mid-January, will be via Zoom only. We follow that with three SIG meetings and a new list of classes, so get ready for a full year of learning! Read on for more . . .

RootsTech 2021 Goes Virtual and NGS/FGS Complete Merger

RootsTech 2021

FamilySearch announced this week that RootsTech 2021 has been changed to a three-day online event from 25–27 February. Begun as a small conference in the late 1990s to explore the expanding role of technology in genealogy, RootsTech has grown into the world’s largest annual family history event. Since 2010, when it piggy-backed on the National Genealogical Society’s yearly conference, RootsTech, now sponsored by FamilySearch, has been held in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace. By 2019, more than 27,000 attendees from every state and forty-seven different countries attended the conference. RootsTech 2021 was to be held in early February 2021 in Salt Lake City, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a complete change of plans.

July StLGS Meetings and Events

As we mentioned in June, the first News Flash blog of each month has typically been about upcoming StLGS and other genealogy events. In March of this year, however, we went into quarantine, and had to rethink our entire 2020 calendar. Thanks to the continuing hard work on the part of our StLGS volunteers, we are able to bring you our revised schedule for July featuring more exciting online events. Stay cool during the heat of summer—no matter where you live—get comfortable in front of your computer or tablet, and soak up new ideas, knowledge, and skills from some of our most experienced genealogy lecturers this month. Here is what is coming up:

February Genealogy Meetings, Classes, and Events

February is off to a mild start, just right for attending all of the special events scheduled for the month. Of course, StLGS has plenty for you to do, but so do many of our friends and partners in the St. Louis area. If you have been waiting for classes, tours, or lectures on a wide variety of topics, this month is filled with dates to add to your calendar.

Upcoming Meetings

StLGS Monthly Meeting: Saturday, 8 February 2020

"Preserving Family Documents and Photos," by Ilene Murray, St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed. More information available on the StLGS website.

 

Cliff Cave Library Genealogy Presentation: Wednesday, 5 February 2020

"Genealogy: Where's Grandma? Tracing Female Ancestry," by Judy Belford, St. Louis County Library Cliff Cave Branch, 6:30 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed. More information available on the library's website. 
  

Czech Genealogical Researchers Monthly Meeting: Saturday, 15 February 2020

"Czech Research Time," general discussion, St. Louis County Library Headquarters History and Genealogy Dept., 1:30 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed. More information available on the group's website.
 

Upcoming StLGS Classes

• "Intermediate RootsMagic" (PC only) by Ted Steele, 8 February 2020

• "Foundations of Genealogy, Parts I and II," by Ilene Murray; Saturday, 15 and Saturday, 22 February 2020, 

Classes are held at the StLGS Office from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Free to StLGS members; fee for non-members; pre-registration required at 314-647-8547.

 More information on these and more StLGS classes on our website.

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February Classes at St. Louis County Library

• 6 and 29 February: "History and Genealogy in Newspapers," Cliff Cave and Headquarters
• 11 February: "Who Were My Ancestors? Beginning Family History Research," Thorn Hill
• 18 February: "Finding Ancestors in U.S. Census Records," Oak Bend
• 22 February: "Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Advanced Techniques," Florissant Valley
• 22 February: "Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Records of Slave Owning Families," Florissant Valley
• 25 February: "Getting More out of FamilySearch," Daniel Boone
• 26 and 27 February: "Family History Online: Databases for Genealogical Research," Headquarters and Mid-County

All library classes are free but require pre-registration. More information available on the library's website.
  

Upcoming Special Events

"Father of Waters: Early Explorers on the Mississippi River"
Lecture at the Missouri History Museum, Thursday, 13 February 2020,

AT&T Multipurpose Room, 6:00 p.m. Free; but pre-registration is required at this link.

African American History Tours at Bellefontaine Cemetery

Celebrate African American History month with two special trolley tours in this historic and beautiful cemetery. The tours last approximately two hours; they are free but pre-registration is required.

• Tuesday, 4 February at 10:00 a.m. Registration at this link.
• Thursday, 20 February at 1:30 p.m. Registration at this link.  

  StLGS Trivia Night: Saturday, 7 March 2020

Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Avenue (just south of I-64 between Hanley and Big Bend); doors open at 6:15 p.m.; questions begin at 7:00 p.m.

Questions on all topics. We'll provide snacks, fun, and an awesome silent auction!

Check out our website for more information and/or to register.

 

September Genealogy Meetings and Events

September StLGS Monthly Meeting

Saturday, 14 September 2019—10:00 a.m.

"Preserving Home Movies and Family Photographs," by Ellen Mays, St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, free and open to all, no pre-registration needed

More information on the StLGS website.

German Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting 
Wednesday, 18 September 2019—7:00 p.m.

"Using Deutsches Geschlechterbuch and Deutesche FamilienArchiv," by Scott Holl; St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, free and open to all, no pre-registration needed.

 More information on the German SIG page on the StLGS website.

Other Upcoming Classes/Meetings

StLGS Classes 

• All classes are free to StLGS members; there is a fee for non-members. 
• Classes are held at the StLGS office and begin at 1:00 p.m. 
• Pre-registration required at 314-647-8547

Saturday, 21 September 2019

"Beyond Parish Records: Other Useful German Records at the Family History Library,"
by Carol Whitton, CG

Saturday, 28 September 2019

"Using Technology in Genealogy Research," by Cathy Amen

Saturday, 5 October 2019

"Beginning Irish Research," by Carol Hemmersmeier and Kay Weber

View the entire summer/fall 2019 genealogy class schedule here.

St. Louis County Library Classes
Numerous classes at all branches in September. More on the library website.  

Click on the September calendar and scroll down the page.

Carondelet Historical Society Meeting
Sunday, 15 September 2019—1:30 p.m.

Discussion of the historic photograph collection of Dr. William Swekosky by Andy Hahn, 6303 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, free and open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

Czech Genealogical Researchers Monthly Meeting
Saturday, 14 September 2019—1:30 p.m.

"Czech Research Time," open research time with volunteers on hand to provide assistance, St. Louis County Library Headquarters History and Genealogy Department, free and open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

Maplewood Public Library Special Meeting
Thursday, 19 September 2019—6:30 p.m.

"Maplewood Through the Years," by Doug Houser; join Maplewood's resident historian as he speaks about the history of this dynamic city. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., Maplewood, Mo. 63143, free and open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information about the library on its website.

August Genealogy Meetings and Classes

August StLGS Monthly Meeting

Saturday, 10 August 2019

"Finding the Civilian Conservation Corps," by Nancy Schuster, St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed

More information on the StLGS website.

Jewish Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting 
Wednesday, 28 August 2019

"Interpreting and Caring for Jewish Tombstones," by Diane Everman, Ilene Murray, and Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman; St. Louis County Library Headquarters East Room, 7:00 p.m. Free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

 More information on the Jewish SIG page on the StLGS website.

Other Upcoming Classes/Meetings

StLGS Class: Saturday, 17 August 2019

"Foundations of Genealogy, Part I," by Ilene Murray; StLGS Office, 1:00 p.m. Free to StLGS members; fee for non-members; pre-registration required at 314-647-8547.

StLGS Class: Sunday, 18 August 2019

"Using FamilySearch," by Bob Goode; StLGS Office, 1:00 p.m. Free to StLGS members; fee for non-members; pre-registration required at 314-647-8547.

StLGS Class: Saturday, 24 August 2019

"Foundations of Genealogy, Part II," by Ilene Murray; StLGS Office, 1:00 p.m. Free to StLGS members; fee for non-members; pre-registration required at 314-647-8547.

View the entire summer/fall 2019 genealogy class schedule here.

St. Louis County Library Classes
Numerous classes at all branches in August. More on the library website.  

Click on the August calendar and scroll down the page.

Carondelet Historical Society Meeting
Sunday, 11 August 2019

Discussion of early French settlements by Dr. Terry Norris, 6303 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, 1:30 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

Czech Genealogical Researchers Monthly Meeting
Saturday, 10 August 2019

"Serfdom in Bohemia," by Marcella Milcic, St. Louis County Library Headquarters East Room, 3:00 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

Fall Classes Announced; July Genealogy Meetings and Events

Fall Classes Now Open for Registration

Check out the StLGS website for the complete list of fall classes that begin in August and run through October. Once again, StLGS offers a two-part class called "Foundations of Genealogy" for those just beginning or needing some refresher hints. Are you interested in learning how to use the FamilySearch website, or are you going on our Salt Lake City Research trip? We have a class that will give you great information on the catalog, wiki, and other parts of the site, and can help you prepare for the trip. Classes on German and Irish research, using technology in your research, and the Legacy FamilyTree PC software are also available. For a complete schedule and/or to download a PDF, go to the StLGS website. (Sorry, but there is no online registration for classes. Please either mail in the registration form or call the office.)

Upcoming StLGS Meeting

 No meeting in July. We look forward to seeing you at our special events:
Summer Speaker Series and/or the Writing Institute
You can still register for both by clicking the buttons on the StLGS website's home page.

There are also just a few rooms left for the annual Salt Lake City Research Trip.
More information and online registration on the StLGS website.

August StLGS Monthly Meeting
Saturday, 10 August 2019

"Finding the Civilian Conservation Corps," by Nancy Schuster, St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

    
Upcoming Irish Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting

  Tuesday, 23 July 2019

"Using Social Media for Irish Research," by Laura Mackinson and Ilene Murray; St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

 More information on the Irish SIG page on the StLGS website.

Other Upcoming Meetings/Events

Czech Genealogical Researchers Monthly Meeting
Saturday, 20 July 2019

"Escape to Freedom," by Mary Ann Sulz, St. Louis County Library Headquarters East Room, 2:30 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

St. Louis County Library Classes
Tuesday, 16 July; 2:00 p.m., Daniel Boone Branch
Wednesday, 17 July; 6:30 p.m.; Cliff Cave Branch
Thursday 25 July 2019; 2:00 p.m.; Headquarters

"Finding Ancestors in U.S. Census Records," class given in three locations; free, but pre-registration is needed and there are limited spaces.

Information/registration for the 16 July class; information/registration for the 17 July class; and information/registration on the 25 July class on the library's website.

Tuesday, 23 July 2019; 10:00 a.m.; Weber Road Branch
Monday, 29 July; 2:00 p.m.; Headquarters

"Finding Immigrant European Ancestors," class given in two locations; free, but pre-registration is needed and there are limited spaces.

Information/registration for the 23 July class and
Information/registration for the 29 July class on the library's website.

Sappington-Concord Historical Society Monthly Meeting
Thursday, 18 July 2019

"A 150-year Journey Toward Hope: St. Louis State Hospital," by Amanda Hunyar, Friendship Village South, 12503 Village Circle Drive, Sunset Hills, 2:30 p.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the group's website.

May Genealogy Meetings and Special Events

Upcoming Special Event

National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2019 Family History Conference
Wednesday–Saturday, 8–11 May 2019

Journey of Discovery

St. Louis Genealogical Society volunteers have spent the past two years preparing to be the local hosts at the National Genealogical Society's 2019 Family History Conference and now the event is just days away! Volunteers will be at the St. Charles Convention Center on Monday morning, 6 May 2019, to be sure that all registrants have a goodie bag filled with information, and on Tuesday, 7 May, the pre-conference activities begin. The registration area opens at noon. Volunteers will be on hand to lead those who are interested on tours of the facility and help anyone who needs assistance with the conference app.

Also in the afternoon is the Society Showcase, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on the upper level of the Convention Center. Meet representatives from fifteen Missouri and Illinois genealogical and historical societies and learn more about how they might help you with your research.

The conference officially begins bright and early on Wednesday morning, 8 May, and we can't wait to meet and greet our friends, make new ones, and welcome everyone with our famous St. Louis hospitality. Be sure you stop by to say hello at the StLGS booth, 101, in the Exhibit Hall!

Upcoming StLGS Meeting

StLGS Monthly Meeting: No meeting in May; next meeting: Saturday, 8 June 2019

"Migration from the Eastern U.S. to Mid-America," by Carol Whitton, CG, St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 10:00 a.m.; free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

More information on the StLGS website.

    
Upcoming Jewish Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting

  Wednesday, 29 May 2019

"Treasures Found in Legal Documents," by Mike Everman, archivist; St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Free, open to all, no pre-registration needed.

 More information on the Jewish SIG page on the StLGS website.

Upcoming Classes

Missouri History Museum: Wednesday, 15 May 2019

"Civil War Notables at Bellefontaine Cemetery," by Dan Fuller. Hear about those from both sides of the war who are buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Lee Auditorium, St. Louis History Museum in Forest Park, 10:30 a.m. Free but pre-registration required through St. Louis Community College at 314-984-7777.

Dan Fuller will also present this lecture at the St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive Street, on Wednesday, 29 May 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Training Room on the second floor. Free and open to the public; no registration required. More information on the library's website.

Missouri History Museum: Thursday, 16 May 2019

"Sage Chapel Cemetery," by Dorris Keeven-Franke. Learn about the history and the people buried in a small African American cemetery in O'Fallon, Missouri. Lee Auditorium, St. Louis History Museum in Forest Park, 10:30 a.m. Free but pre-registration required  through St. Louis Community College at 314-984-7777.

  More information on these events and more on the Missouri History Museum website.

  
 

 

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