St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy Department—Home of the National Genealogical Society Collection
Founded in 1998, the St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy Department is a major research destination offering access to a growing collection of more than 85,000 print items, 850 periodical titles, 40,000 microfilm items, and a variety of electronic databases.
CONTACTING THE LIBRARY
History and Genealogy Department
St. Louis County Library
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3598
Phone: (314) 994-3300, extension 2070
Email: genealogy@slcl.orggenealogy@slcl.org
Website: http://www.slcl.org. Information about the History and Genealogy Department is located under the “History and Genealogy” tab.
Hours of operation
Use of the History and Genealogy Department is free and open to the public during regular business hours:
Monday–Thursday, 9 am–9 pm
Friday & Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
Sunday, 1–5 pm
The library is closed on legal holidays and other times as announced.
VISITING THE HISTORY AND GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT DURING THE NGS CONFERENCE
The library is making special arrangements to accommodate the large number of researchers expected to visit the History and Genealogy Department during the NGS Conference. Please check for updates at http://www.slcl.org/content/visiting-history-and-genealogy-department-during-ngs-conference.
The library’s website includes online finding aids to microfilm collections, indexes to selected sources in the department’s collection, and other useful information.
Print materials in the History and Genealogy Department can be searched via the library’s online catalog at http://webpac.slcl.org.
COLLECTION EMPHASES
The department’s collections offer unique genealogical and historical sources emphasizing the St. Louis metropolitan area, the state of Missouri, and states and foreign countries that fed migration into Missouri. The department offers substantial holdings for New England states, the original 13 colonies, and a growing collection of sources from foreign countries. Military history and sources for research on various ethnic and national groups are well represented.
MAJOR COLLECTIONS
The St. Louis Genealogical Society Collection offers unique materials for research in the St. Louis area, the state of Missouri, and states east of the Mississippi River, as well as sources for finding European roots.
The National Genealogical Society Collection includes 30,000 items available for checkout or request through interlibrary loan. The collection features state, county, local and family histories, cemetery, church, court, land, marriage, and estate record abstracts.
The Julius K. Hunter and Friends African American Research Collection (JKH) features unique African American genealogical resources in print and on microfilm.
The William C.E. and Bessie K. Becker Collection is comprised of sources for German, Swiss, and Irish research. Featured is a collection of more than 850 microfilm reels of parish records from Canton Bern, Switzerland.
The Mary F. Berthold Collection is a premier collection of rare and heavily used works acquired from the National Genealogical Society’s reference library.
The Jewish Genealogical Society of St. Louis Collection—Originally housed at United Hebrew Temple, this collection offers a unique look at Jewish history, including more than 100 Yizkor books memorializing destroyed Jewish communities and listing residents killed in the Holocaust.
OTHER COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
St. Louis sources
A large selection of microfilm featuring city directories, vital records, naturalizations, probate records, cemetery records, funeral home records, and other important sources for St. Louis City and County research.
U.S. States
The department offers many print sources, including vital record indexes and abstracts; cemetery and funeral home records; church records; land ownership records and maps; military records, including indexes and abstracts for federal and state records and extensive holdings for the Civil War period; genealogical journals and newsletters; probate court, wills and estate records; and local, regiona,l and state histories.
Church records
Collections include St. Louis-area Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and Catholic records, including those for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois.
Newspapers
The library holds current and historical St. Louis newspapers, including those published for immigrant, ethnic, and local communities.
Published family histories
The department offers more than 13,000 published family histories, many of which are available for checkout and through interlibrary loan.
Sources for national and ethnic research
The department’s collection features unique foreign sources, including German Ortsippenbücher (genealogical registers extracted from parish records), Scottish memorial inscription books, an extensive collection of “Marriage Repertories” for Québec, parish registers of French North America, and church records for Canton Bern, Switzerland.
Periodicals
Holdings include more than 850 periodical titles relating to genealogy and local history.
Electronic databases
The library offers Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, Heritage Quest, Pro-Quest Historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Newspaper Archive, and a variety of other databases for genealogical and historical research. Databases can be accessed via public computers and the wireless network at all St. Louis County Library locations. St. Louis County Library card holders living in the St. Louis metropolitan area can use most databases at home for free.
DEPARTMENT SERVICES
On-site reference help from the knowledgeable staff is available to assist researchers locate and use library materials and equipment.
Lookup services—the department accepts requests for lookups in indexed sources. See http://www.slcl.org/genealogy-and-local-history/services for more information.
PastPorts monthly electronic newsletter—PastPorts offers department news, articles highlighting department sources, and a listing of free classes and events. The newsletter is delivered electronically to subscribers via email for free. Past issues and subscription information are available on the library’s website.
Family History Library microfilm–Microfilm and microfiche ordered from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City may be viewed at St. Louis County Library.
Interlibrary Loan service–interlibrary loan allows St. Louis County Library card holders access to materials from other libraries. Many History and Genealogy Department books are made available to other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.
Classes and events—the department staff offers free classes on genealogy, sponsors monthly meetings of the St. Louis Genealogical, and holds special events as announced.
USING THE COLLECTION
Security procedures
Personal items allowed in the department include:
- Writing paper
- Pens and pencils
- Personal notes
- Laptop computers (without case)
- A small wallet, change purse, or fanny pack
- Three-ring binders (subject to inspection)
- Coats, jackets, and sweaters
Researchers who would like to use a public computer should bring a valid St. Louis County Library card OR a valid state ID or driver’s license.
Items not allowed in the department include:
- Purses
- Bags
- Brief cases and portfolios
- Back packs
- Accordion files
- Laptop computer cases
- Personal books
- Library books from other departments
- Food and drink
Coin-operated lockers are provided on Tier 4 of the library building next to the elevators. Lockers require a quarter, which is automatically refunded when the key is returned.
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