New on the StLGS Website . . .

It’s been a while since we have brought you updates from the StLGS website, https://stlgs.org, so this week, we will catch you up. During the past few months, our volunteers have been working hard to add new data to our congregations project, upload new biographies, update and correct cemetery data, and add new information from donated memorabilia.

How Did Our Ancestors Handle Summer?

We genealogists talk a lot about putting "meat on the bones," and this week, we want to coax you once again to do just that. As we finally get into some hot weather, let's reflect on our ancestors who endured summer heat and humidity in the past. How did they cope without modern conveniences? As you transition from your winter wardrobe to your summer clothes, feel the cool air in your house when you turn on the air conditioner for the season, or open the refrigerator to pour yourself a cold drink, think about the people who came before you and how they managed.

May/June StLGS Genealogy Meetings and Events

This time of year is filled with happy celebrations: Earth Day, Mother's Day, graduations, Father's Day, and perhaps you have family birthdays or other special days in the spring too. We hope you enjoy spending time with your loved ones, but we also hope you will find a bit of time to spend with your fellow genealogists enjoying a meeting or other event. Here is what is on offer for May and June.

A Little-Used Genealogy Resource: Legal Notices in Newspapers

One of the lectures in our upcoming 2023 annual Family History Conference will be “Advertising the Law: The Gems in Legal Notices,” presented by our featured speaker, Judy Russell. If you have used newspapers in your research for the wide array of information you can find in them, you have probably seen those notices, but maybe you skipped over them because you were searching for a feature article or an obituary. However, you might want to pay a bit more attention once you see how valuable a resource those little ads can be.

Missouri in the War of 1812

Were your families in what is now Missouri before 1812? Did you know the War of 1812 included men from Missouri? St. Louis Genealogical Society has published a set of books, The War of 1812 in Missouri, volumes 1 and 2, that may move your research forward for those early families. These volumes are rich in the history of the pioneers and Native Americans who were in the Mississippi and Missouri River Valleys during the early nineteenth century. The editors have added maps, glossaries, bibliographies, and indexes filling both volumes with valuable information for researchers of the time period. The maps alone are a Missouri researcher's gold mine.

Planning Ahead to Attend a Genealogy Conference

Have you made plans yet to register for our annual Family History Conference on Saturday, 6 May? Whether it’s your first time or you are an old pro at attending conferences and workshops, there are some tried and true steps you can take to make the most of your experience. So, if you are thinking about (or have already registered for) the StLGS conference, the National Genealogical Society Conference at the end of May, or any other upcoming genealogy day-long or multi-day event, here are some helpful reminders.

StLGS April Genealogy Meetings AND Remember to Register for the Family History Conference!

As the weather warms and spring gets underway, we know you are thinking about getting outside and enjoying more activities with others. So why not join your genealogy friends at St. Louis Genealogical Society for some new and interesting meetings and classes? We have lots going on during the next few weeks, and whether you attend in person or via Zoom, we look forward to seeing you. That said, here's what is coming up . . .