Classes and Presentations

Classes for Beginning Researchers

• 101 | Who Were my Ancestors? Beginning Genealogical Research
  If you have little or no research experience, this is the class for you. Learn about the genealogical research process and the many resources available in History & Genealogy at St. Louis County Library. Staff
   
• 102 | Library Skills for Genealogical Research
  Libraries offer essential tools for researching your ancestry. Learn how to search online library catalogs, obtain materials from distant libraries, locate periodical articles, and use the library’s in-house guides. Prerequisite: Who Were my Ancestors? Beginning Genealogical Research class or previous research experience.
   
• 103 | Finding Ancestors in U.S. Census Records
  Census records are a basic and essential source for genealogical research in the U.S. Learn how to search census records effectively using Ancestry Library Edition and other electronic databases. Staff
   
• 104 | History and Genealogy in Newspapers
  Newspapers are excellent sources of historical and genealogical information, and digitization has made them more widely available. The class will cover 19th-Century U. S. Newspapers, NewspaperArchive, Newspapers.com and St. Louis Post-Dispatch databases. Staff

Using Genealogical Databases

• 202 | Exploring the Ancestry Library Edition Database
  The Ancestry Library Edition Database is a powerful tool for genealogical research. Find out how to take advantage of Ancestry’s capabilities in your research. Staff
   
• 203 | Exploring Fold3 and Heritage QuestDatabases
  Fold3 and HeritageQuest offer a variety of records for genealogical research, and they can be used free at home with a valid St. Louis County Library card.  Find out how to search for your ancestors in census records, city directories, genealogy books, and government documents. Staff
   
• 204 | FamilySearch Basics
  FamilySearch.org is a free website offering access to millions of records for genealogical research. This class will provide an overview of the kinds of records available and how to find them. Mike Bridwell
   
• 205 | Getting More out of FamilySearch
  Basic search techniques will miss most records in FamilySearch. Learn to navigate unindexed image collections, search the FamilySearch catalog effectively, and use advanced search features to tap into hard-to-find records.Pre-requisite: FamilySearch Basics or equivalent research experience. Jake Eubanks

Classes to Expand Research Skills

• 303 | Using City and County Directories in Family History Research
  Where did your ancestors live, and what were their occupations? City and county directories can give you this information and more. Staff
   
• 304 | Researching Church Records Online
  Church records are an important source for learning about ancestors, and online sources, such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, and FindMyPast offer unprecedented access. This class will cover the uses of church records and how to find them online. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• 305 | PERSI: A Tool for Finding Articles about Your Ancestors.
  The Periodical Source Index or PERSI indexes over 11,000 Genealogical and Local History Periodicals published by local, state, national and international societies and organizations. Researchers will learn how to use this tool to access articles. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• 306 | Rooting Through Local Newspapers
  The most under-utilized and widely available resource in genealogy is the local newspaper. Learn tips for finding historic newspapers and how they can be valuable for your research. Jake Eubanks
   
• 307 | Finding Your Ancestors in Church Records
  Church records are valuable sources of genealogical information. Learn about the kinds of records congregations created, where to find them, and how they can help you in your research. Scott Holl

ADVANCED SKILLS

• V-01 | Everything You Know Is Wrong!
  Many of our brick walls are self-constructed. A case study using a St. Louis German family shows how erroneous assumptions often prevent the identification of ancestors and their town of origin. Ignoring the assumptions and engaging in thorough research not only identified the ancestral home in Germany but also revealed the story of a chain migration of other family members. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• V-02 | Does That Even Make Sense?
  Online trees: a genealogist friend or foe? Learn tools for evaluating whether the information in online trees should be added to your own work. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• V-03 | Finding Your Ancestors in the Draper Manuscript Collection
  The Draper Manuscript Collection is a unique source for researching eighteenth and nineteenth-century Appalachian and Ohio Valley ancestors. Learn about guides, finding aids, indexes, transcriptions, and resources to help you research in the collection. Explore case studies of increasing complexity and discuss possible research strategies. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• V-04 | Ohio Valley Pioneers: Using the John Dabney Shane Collection
  John Dabney Shane conducted interviews in the Ohio River Valley during the early 19th Century.  Discover the value of this under-utilized resource. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• V-05 | The Google Earth of the Last Century: Fire Insurance Maps
  Curious about what your ancestor’s living or work situation might have been like? Fire insurance maps offer a glimpse of the urban built environment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Case studies will show how to use them to solve different research problems. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• V-06 | Before 1850: Early American Research
  The 1850 US Federal Census was the first census to document everyone living within a household. Learn techniques for resolving who your ancestors were before the 1850 census. Jake Eubanks
   
• V-07 | Finding Female Ancestors
  Coverture was a legal doctrine, which limited the rights of married women (feme covert). With limited legal rights, records of female ancestors can prove elusive. Jake Eubanks
   
• V-08 | First Landowners: Federal Land Records, Family Maps, and HistoryGeo.com
  The availability of map publications for the federal land states has transformed how we find the first landowner. Learn about these genealogical resources and how to use them for cluster and collateral research. Jake Eubanks

Military Research

• M-01 | Discovering Ancestral Military Veterans
  Explore strategies for military research in the Fold3 and Ancestry Library Edition databases, as well as in print and internet sources. Prerequisite: Finding Ancestors in U.S. Census Records class or comparable research experience. Staff
   
• M-02 | Researching 20th-Century Military Veterans
  Learn about records related to 20th-century military service and tips for locating information. The Instructor will give an overview of print and digital sources and provide information about obtaining records from the National Archives. Ellen Mays
   
• M-03 | Researching 19th-Century Military Veterans
  Learn about records related to 19th-century military service with emphasis on service during the War of 1812, Mexican-American War, American Civil War, and the Spanish-American war. The instructor will provide a general overview of print and digital resources and provide guidance in how to obtain records from the National Archives. 

Social History and Material Culture

• H-01 | Cultural Heritage Resources for Family Historians and Genealogists
  Make new discoveries about your ancestors by investigating cultural heritage resources. The instructor will discuss these sources and demonstrate how they can uncover new information about your family’s history.
   
• H-02 | Historical Context for Family History and Genealogy: How Social History can Enhance Your Family History Projects
  Learn how historical context and social history can bring your family history to life. The instructor will discuss sources and provide examples. Ellen Mays
   
• H-03 | Researching Family Heirlooms for Genealogy and Family History Projects
  What can you learn about your ancestors through objects they possessed? The instructor will discuss the place of objects in family history research, methods for uncovering genealogical clues through artifact analysis, and helpful resources for evaluating heirlooms. Ellen Mays

Preservation and Digitization

• P-01 | Digital Archiving and Preservation Basics
  Learn how to care for and protect digital files and photos. Library staff will share techniques for saving and preserving your digital memories. Ellen Mays
   
• P-02 | Preserving Home Movies and Family Photographs
  Discover useful tips for preserving family videos and photos. Topics covered include preservation methods and resources, vendors, and technology. Ellen Mays
   
• P-03 | Interviewing Family Members: Oral History Basics
  Discover helpful resources for recording family stories, practice your interviewing skills, and learn about new digital tools for creating and preserving your family’s oral history. Ellen Mays

African American Research

• A-01 | Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Getting Started in Genealogical Research
  Do you want to research your African American family but don’t know where to start? This class will teach you the basics of genealogical research including resources available in History & Genealogy at St. Louis County Library. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• A-02 | Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Digging Deeper
  Learn about additional sources and techniques to deepen your research and overcome roadblocks. This course will use specific examples of records available and show you how to use them. Prerequisite: “Tracing your African American Ancestors: Getting Started in Genealogical Research” or comparable research experience. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• A-03 | Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Advanced Techniques
  The usual techniques can often lead to roadblocks in African American research. The instructor will use case studies to demonstrate how researchers can fill gaps in missing information. Prerequisite: “Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Digging Deeper” or comparable research experience. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• A-04 | Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Records of Slave Owning Families 
  Slave owning families often kept detailed records of their enslaved African Americans. Learn how to find and use these private records to reveal more information about your family. Prerequisite: “Tracing Your African American Ancestors: Advanced Technique” or comparable research experience. You should also know how to use a computer and search the internet. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• A-05 | Manuscript Collections: A Tool for Finding Your Enslaved African American Ancestors
  Typical U.S. genealogical research strategies often fail when applied to enslaved African Americans. Instead it is necessary to research the slave owning families who often kept detailed records of what happened on their plantations. Discover how to find these records and the types of information contained in them. Dan Lilienkamp

Europe

• E-01 | Finding Immigrant European Ancestors
  Discover print and online resources for researching immigrant ancestors. This class will include an overview of information available on Ancestry Library Edition and other electronic databases. Prerequisite: Finding Ancestors in U.S. Census Records class or comparable research experience. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• E-02 | Accessing European Church Records
  Learn how to identify your European place of origin and explore the wealth of information preserved in church records. Dan Lilienkamp

British, Irish & Scottish

• B-01 | English Church Records
  Explore English laws and denominational records and learn key terminology for identifying the denominational affiliation of your English ancestors. Jake Eubanks
   
• B-02 | Using Irish Sources Abroad to Find Your Ancestor's Country of Origin
  Finding the place of origin for your Irish immigrant ancestors can be difficult. But in some cases, you can use this one quick trick to narrow your area of focus and improve your odds of finding that elusive link to Ireland. Mike Bridwell
   
• B-03 | Exploring FindMyPast for Irish Research
  Find My Past is to Irish research what Ancestry.com is to American research. Learn how this database can help you research your ancestors from the Emerald Isle. Mike Bridwell
   
• B-04 | The Valuation of Ireland
  Learn about the Valuation of Ireland, how it was created, what it's purpose was, why it's important to Irish family research, and how to use it to research your Irish family history. Mike Bridwell

French and French North American Research

• F-01 | From Québec to France
  Learn techniques for utilizing the Répertoire des actes de baptême, mariage, sépulture des recensements du Québec ancien(PRDH) to trace colonial French ancestry. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• F-02 | Record Sources in Quebec
  Learn how to use Tanguay, Jette, the PRDH and other print resources that will enable you to trace your Quebec family back through the earliest days of the colony and back to France. Dan Lilienkamp

Germanic Research

• G-01 | Jumping the Pond: Discovering Your German Ancestral Village
  Finding your ancestor's place of origin is essential to research progress. Learn about sources and get tips for discovering this sometimes-elusive information. Scott Holl
   
• G-02 | Finding Your German Ancestor in Emigration and Immigration Lists
  Emigration and immigration lists might reveal the ancestral hometown of your family. Learn how to research these seldom-used resources. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-03 | Finding Your Ancestors in German Church Records
  German church records are the principal source for learning about your German ancestors. Get some ideas on how to find your ancestral town in Europe and learn the types of information you might find in these records and how to use them to trace your family. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-04 | Advanced German Church Records
  Liturgical dating, calendar changes, and archaic script combine to make interpreting church records a difficult process. This case study using 16th and 17th Century church records will show you how. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-05 | Church Records of Canton Bern, Switzerland
  Explore techniques to identify your Swiss ancestral town and methods for finding your ancestors in the Parish Registers of Canton Bern. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-06 | Research in Alsace and Lorraine
  Alsace and Lorraine, the storied borderland between France and Germany presents unique problems for genealogical researchers. Learn how to use the various available resources to trace your ancestry through this fascinating region. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-07 | Using German Newspapers When You Don’t Know Much German
  German-language newspapers are a valuable source of obituaries and other genealogical Information, and you do not have to be an expert in the German language. This presentation will offer tips for locating and deciphering obituaries in German newspapers. Scott Holl
   
• G-08 | Using Ortssippenbücher to Research Your German Ancestors
  Ortssippenbücher contain genealogical information about families within a specific town, village, or parish. Information can cover many generations of a family going back to the beginning of written records. Discover the areas of Germany where these books are available and learn how to use this resource yourself through a case study. Dan Lilienkamp
   
• G-09 | Of Non-Noble Lineage: Deutsches Geschlechterbuch as a German Genealogical Source
  The 221 volumes of Deutsches Geschlechterbuch offer genealogical information for thousands of non-noble German families. Their standardized format makes using them possible for the non-German speaker. Scott Holl.
   
• G-10 | Hofgeschichten, Häusergeschichten, and Bürgerbücher: Using Local History Sources in German Genealogical Research
  Hofgeschichten (farm histories), Häusergeschichten (building histories), and Bürgerbücher (citizen registers) are local history publications that can provide important genealogical clues and insights into your ancestors’ lives. Discover each of these unique publications, how to use them, and tips for finding them. Scott Holl

Special Topics

• S-01 | Discover History & Genealogy at St. Louis County Library
  With research materials covering the St. Louis metropolitan area, Missouri, migration trails into Missouri, and European homelands, the History & Genealogy Department's vast resources provide a wealth of possibilities for discovering your family's history and that of your local community. The library is home to the St. Louis Genealogical Society and National Genealogical Society collections. Scott Holl
   
• S-02 | When is a Lutheran not a Lutheran? A Brief History of the Evangelical Synod of North America
  The Evangelical Synod of North America, a German-speaking predecessor of the United Church of Christ, had congregations in most 19th-century German immigrant communities. Although it was Lutheran in character, it was not a Lutheran denomination. This lecture will review the denomination’s history and character and offer tips for finding records of congregations. Scott Holl
   
• S-03 | In die Kirche gehen: German Churches in St. Louis
  Follow the evolution of Christian denominations in Germany and their transplantation to the St. Louis area beginning in the 1830s. The speaker will also discuss the development of German-speaking congregations within “English” denominations.