Thursday, December 31, 2015

WHEN GETTING CARDED IS A GOOD THING...

Most people reading this are eligible to get a free card with St. Louis Public Library. If coming to our brick and mortar locations is a hassle for you, remember that your card gives you 24/7 online access to books, music, reference databases, online learning, and so much more:

http://www.slpl.org/slpl/library/article240091502.asp
 GET A (FREE) LIBRARY CARD

STILL OPEN...

Our brick and mortar locations are closed tomorrow (January 1), but our downloadable collections are open for business 24/7, 365 days per year:

 http://www.slpl.org/slpl/library/downloadables.asp
Click on image to be taken to downloadable collections landing page.

Monday, December 21, 2015

THIS DOOR'S ALWAYS OPEN...

All our brick-and-mortar locations will be closed December 24 & 25, but our Digital Collection is open for business all day, every day...

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

GENEALOGY PROGRAMS FOR A NEW YEAR

Here it is mid-December, and I've already got seven programs scheduled for 2016! Here's the line-up for February-April (no programs scheduled for January--I've had to cancel too many of those on account of miserable weather to risk another one):

THURS
FEB 11, 7 PM
Shadow Schedules: An Introduction to Special & Non-population Census Schedules

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses special & non-population census schedules: agricultural; industrial; statistical; veterans; and mortality. Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

SAT
FEB 20, 2 PM
eBooks for the Genealogist

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses eBook readers, eBook applications, and sources of free eBooks of special interest to genealogists and local historians. Buder Branch Library, 401 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, Mo 63109. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

SAT
MAR 19, 2 PM
A Guided Tour of Ancestry Library Edition

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses features of and record sets contained in Ancestry Library Edition. He also discuss ways to search ALE more efficiently. Buder Branch Library, 401 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, Mo 63109. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

THUR
APR 21, 7 PM
Speaks with the Dead: the Basics of Cemetery Research

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses burial customs; types of cemeteries; grave markers and headstones; death and burial records; dos and don’ts of cemetery research; and cemetery preservation and restoration. Waterloo Public Library, 215 Park St., Waterloo, IL 62298. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

FREE TOURS OF CENTRAL LIBRARY

Click on image for larger version.

Friday, November 20, 2015

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Mark your calendar for these programs (or sign up for my email notices, if you don't already receive them).

2015-16 GENEALOGY CLASS SCHEDULE

Note: We can no longer offer free parking at Central Library, but parking is free at Buder Branch Library, where many of my programs will be scheduled during 2016.


In case of inclement weather, you can call 314-241-2288 to see if Library locations are open for business.

THURS
DEC 10
2 pm

Civil War Weapons, Strategy, and Tactics

Tom Pearson discusses book, manuscript, microfilm, and Internet sources of information on Civil War weapons, strategy, and tactics. Buder Branch Library, 4401 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109. To register/more information, email us at tpearson@slpl.org.

SAT
FEB 20
2 PM

eBooks for the Genealogist

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses eBook readers, eBook applications, and sources of free eBooks of special interest to genealogists and local historians. Buder Branch Library, 401 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, Mo 63109. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

SAT
MAR 19
2 PM

A Guided Tour of Ancestry Library Edition

Join us as Tom Pearson discusses features of and record sets contained in Ancestry Library Edition. He also discuss ways to search ALE more efficiently. Buder Branch Library, 401 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, Mo 63109. To register / more info: tpearson@slpl.org.

ETHNIC STL

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Thursday, November 19, 2015

GET CONNECTED

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

THE AMERICAN MOSAIC

 Click on image for larger version.

Click here to Ask a Librarian about The American Mosaic!

Monday, November 16, 2015

ARTS & CRAFTS @ CENTRAL

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Monday, November 9, 2015

CENTRAL'S GRAND REOPENING

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EARLY CLOSING

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OPENING THE DOORS

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

ADVANCED GENEALOGY RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

An eBook that can help you with your "brick walls":

http://www.slpl.org
Click image for a link to our Catalog.

Description Break through brick walls in your genealogical research Learn how to use innovative methods to unearth hard-to-find ancestors. Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques shows you, step by step, how to uncover elusive details by taking advantage of specialized tools and software programs and using proven best practices for breaking through the brick walls that have hindered your progress. You'll get professional advice on formulating a research strategy, understanding the details you discover, keeping careful track of your data, analyzing the evidence, and developing hypotheses. Real-world case studies demonstrate how you can apply the systematic procedures presented in this practical guide to your own research—and achieve success! Examine the brick wall in detail to find potential weak spots that can be exploited into a breakthrough Use brute force techniques that leave no stone unturned Obtain exact copies of original records rather than derivative sources Research the family, associates, and neighbors (FANs) of your brick wall ancestor Consult with your family, friends, and colleagues to get a fresh perspective on your research Use crowdsourcing—genealogy societies, online forums, social media, blogs, wikis, and podcasts Apply technological solutions, including DNA testing and specialized genealogical software Get tips on hiring a professional genealogical researcher with the appropriate credentials and references Revisit your brick wall problem after honing your research skills Review your evidence, develop a research strategy, and keep a meticulous research log
Publisher McGraw-Hill Education McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
Date 2013/09/10
Digital Format Adobe EPUB PDF HTML - Read (In your browser) Kindle
Language English

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

ALL ABOUT ADOPTION

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REFUGE DENIED

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

MOUND CITY

Sure, now we've got the Arch, and we're known as the Gateway to the West, but the City of St. Louis was once the site of more than twenty large Indian mounds, and we were known as Mound City:

LINK

Monday, September 28, 2015

REFUGE DENIED: THE VOYAGE OF THE ST. LOUIS


Click on the above graphic for a larger version.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

GENTLE GIANTS

Draft horses are powerful horses used to plow fields and pull heavy loads. The Clydesdale is a breed of draft horse, named after the region they originated from Clydesdale, Scotland.

LINK

PAINTED LADIES OF ST. LOUIS

Thirty years ago color emerged as an important focal point in the renovation of Victorian houses. Since that time, St. Louis’ own Victorian Painted Ladies have been brought back to their original look using exterior paint colors that mirror the sensibilities of the Victorians.

LINK

Saturday, September 5, 2015

FORGET THE NEW STADIUM--WE NEED A BEER CAVE!

19th century St. Louisans knew what to do with all the natural caves that honeycomb the metropolitan area--set up tables and chairs and serve beer to hot and thirsty locals:

LINK

BRICK BUILT

St. Louis is a city that bricks built:

LINK

BE AN SLPL VOLUNTEER!

 Volunteer applications are available at all of our Branches. Adults interested in volunteering should return the completed application to the Branch so the application can be processed which will take approximately two weeks. Anyone over the age of 18 will be subjected to a background check. Volunteer duties vary by location.

Teens can also volunteer! Starting at age 13, teens can ask for an application from a Youth Services Department staff member in the Branch where they would like to volunteer. The application form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and the two reference sheets can be completed by a teacher, minister or adult family friend.

LINK

You can also find additional info about volunteering here.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

FREE ACCESS TO ANCESTRY FROM HOME!

We offer free access to Ancestry.com at Central Library and our branches at all times, but we don't offer remote access. This weekend only, you can use it from home:

If you have plans this Labor Day Weekend, you might want to rethink them! Ancestry.com will offer FREE access to all US birth, death and marriage records this weekend including updates to its new Wills & Probate collection!

Access available starting September 2nd, at 11:00 am Central through Monday, September 7th, 11:00 pm Central.

Click here to get started!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

HERITAGEQUEST ONLINE

It's available at Central Library and our branches--and from home, if you have a valid SLPL library card:

http://www.slpl.org/slpl/library/article240098943.asp

Click text to enlarge!

NEED A JOB?

It's a job a genealogist might actually enjoy:

The Census Bureau’s Chicago Regional Office is currently seeking Field Representatives in St. Louis County, MO to interview respondents.  Pay ranges from $13.68 - $14.99 per hour, depending on location. 
 
Call for Test scheduling at 1-800-865-6384, Extension 15
  
To view job vacancy announcements, qualifications, and instructions on how to apply, visit the Census Bureau's Chicago Regional Office website at: