READING LISTS-- CIVIL WAR GENERALS, PT. 2

John Bell Hood (1831-1879)—Confederate general who commanded the Army of Tennessee during the fall of Atlanta and the Tennessee campaign.

Bailey, Ronald H. Battles for Atlanta: Sherman Moves East. Alexandria, Va: Time-Life Books, 1985. [BU, CP, ST-973.737]

Boritt, Gabor S. Jefferson Davis's Generals. New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1999. [BU, DA, ST-973.73]

Davis, Stephen. Atlanta Will Fall: Sherman, Joe Johnston, and the Yankee Heavy Battalions. Wilmington, Del: Scholarly Resources, 2001. [ST-973.7371]

Dyer, John P. The Gallant Hood. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1950. [ST-B HOOD]

Groom, Winston. Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville-the Last Great Campaign of the Civil War. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1995. [BU, MA, ST-973.736]

McDonough, James L, and James P. Jones. "War So Terrible": Sherman and Atlanta. New York: Norton, 1987. [ST-973.737]

McMurry, Richard M. John Bell Hood and the War for Southern Independence. Lexington, Ky: University Press of Kentucky, 1982. [ST-B HOOD]

O'Connor, Richard. Hood, Cavalier General. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1949. [ST-B HOOD]

Snow, William P. Lee and His Generals. New York: Richardson & Co., 1867. [ST-973.7]

Sword, Wiley. Embrace an Angry Wind: The Confederacy's Last Hurrah: Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. New York, N.Y: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. [MA-973.737]

Note: You can access the St. Louis Public Library Catalog at http://www.slpl.org/.

COMPTON RIBBON CUTTING

You are cordially invited to a ribbon cutting at our new genealogy and local history branch library!

The Compton Library is located at 1624 Locust Street in downtown St. Louis (three blocks west of Central Library). Representatives from the Mayor’s Office and the media are expected to attend, and SLPL Executive Director Waller McGuire will offer opening remarks.

Light refreshments will be available, and tours of Compton’s three floors will be available for interested members of the press and the public.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Place: Compton Library, 1624 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

Questions? Contact Brenda McDonald for more information.

GOOD NEWS, INDEED!

Good news, everyone!

We will be opening our new genealogy and local history branch on Monday, 14 March 2011.

Compton Library
1624 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

Hours of operation: M-F: 9 am-5 pm; First Saturday of each month, 9 am-5 pm.
Parking: Free on-site parking for users of Compton Library

It took a while to open this new location, because doing so required the installation of new lighting, new shelving, and energy-efficient environmental systems (plus a general sprucing up). This effort has created a workroom for staff, space for the Library’s digitization projects, storage, and a small public service area with room for about 20 patrons.

Compton Library is located two blocks west of Central Library at 1624 Locust Street. Compton’s collection includes our Government Documents Collection as well as genealogy and local history materials. Items from the Special Collections Department will not be housed at Compton, but some can be sent there upon request.

Compton Library’s focus is on researchers and their needs. Compton visitors may bring their laptops if they so desire- there are outlets available. It is not intended to be a full-service branch, so only persons who need access to its specialized materials and staff subject specialists can be accommodated. Because seating is limited, please call ahead before visiting so that we can make sure we have the types of material you are seeking (and ensure that you will have a place to sit and examine them once you get here!).

Number to call for reservations: 314-539-0385

READING LISTS- CIVIL WAR GENERALS, PT. 1

George H. Thomas (1816-1870) was a Virginian who elected to remain loyal to the Union, even though that decision cost him his family (his sisters never spoke to him again). He is best known as the "Rock of Chickamauga", although his crowning glory was his decisive victory over forces under the command of John Bell Hood at Nashville, Tennessee in December 1864.

Bobrick, Benson. Master of War: The Life of General George H. Thomas. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009. [Call No: B-THOMAS Locations: BU, HU]

Broadwater, Robert P. General George H. Thomas: A Biography of the Union's "Rock of Chickamauga". Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co, 2009. [Call No: B-THOMAS Locations: HU]

Cox, Jacob D. The March to the Sea: Franklin and Nashville. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1882. [Call No: 973.73 Locations: ST]

Cozzens, Peter. This Terrible Sound: The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992. [Call No: 973.735 Locations: ST]

Einolf, Christopher J. George Thomas: Virginian for the Union. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007. [Call No: 973.7092 Locations: HG]

Fitch, Michael H. The Chattanooga Campaign: With Especial Reference to Wisconsin's Participation Therein. Madison: Wisconsin history commission, 1911. [Call No: 973.73 Locations: ST]

Korn, Jerry. The Fight for Chattanooga: Chickamauga to Missionary Ridge. Alexandria, Va: Time-Life Books, 1985. [Call No: 973.7359 Locations: BU, CP, ST]

Spruill, Matt. Guide to the Battle of Chickamauga. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1993. [Call No: 973.735 Locations: ST]

Sword, Wiley. Embrace an Angry Wind: The Confederacy's Last Hurrah : Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. New York, N.Y: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. [Call No: 973.737 Locations: ST]

Woodworth, Steven E. Chickamauga: A Battlefield Guide with a Section on Chattanooga. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1999. [Call No: 973.735 Locations: HG]

ST. LOUIS CEMETERY LISTS AND DEATH REGISTERS, 1764-1999: PART IV

GENERAL

“Comprehensive Index.” St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly 28:3 (Fall 1995): 70-76. HG-P

Contents Note: A complete listing of the 150+ cemeteries indexed in the multi-volume cemetery book set (Old Cemeteries of St. Louis County, Mo.) published by the St. Louis Genealogical Society. Listings provide name of cemetery, location (if known), volume and beginning page number in the multi-volume book set where the index of that cemetery’s records appears, and sometimes miscellaneous information. A majority of the listings in the multi-volume book set cover the time period 1840-1920.

1764-1824

“Burial Records, St. Ferdinand de Florissant, 1790-1840.” St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly 14:4 (Winter 1981): 135. HG-P

Daughters of the American Revolution. Missouri Society. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Missouri. Kansas City, MO: Daughters of the American Revolution, 1966. HG,ST-973.74

Daughters of the American Revolution. Missouri Society. Wills of Revolutionary Soldiers and Others. St. Louis, MO: Daughters of the American Revolution, 1960-1962. HG-929.3778

“Death and Estate Notices, Missouri Gazette, 1808-1816.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 65:3 (September 1977). HG-P

“Death and Estate Notices, Missouri Gazette, 1816-1822.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 67:3 (September 1979). HG-P

“Death and Estate Notices, Missouri Gazette, 1816-1822.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 67:3 (September 1979). HG-P

Eddlemon, Sherida K. Missouri Genealogical Records and Abstracts. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1990-. HG-929.3778

Contents Note: Volume 1 (1766-1839) includes an index of wills and testaments executed under the Spanish government of St. Louis, 1776-1834, and a list of victims of the steamboat Tennessee disaster (March 23, 1823).

Eddlemon, Sherida K. Missouri Genealogical Records and Abstracts. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1990-. HG-929.3778

Contents Note: Volume 4 (1741-1839) includes listings for Fee Fee Cemetery, Bridgeton, Missouri, 1810-1892.

Old Cemeteries of St. Louis County, Missouri. St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Genealogical Society, 1982-, 5 vols. HG-929.3778.

Contents Note: Volume 2 includes some early French burials.

St. Louis and St. Louis County, Missouri Probate Records: vol. 1-- 1804-1849. St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Genealogical Society, 1985. HG-929.3778

Stanley, Lois, George F. Wilson, and Maryhelen Wilson. Death Records of Pioneer Missouri Women, 1808-1849. St. Louis, MO: L. Stanley, 1979. HG-929.3778

Stanley, Lois, George F. Wilson, and Maryhelen Wilson. More Death Records From Missouri Newspapers, 1810-1857. St. Louis, MO: L. Stanley, 1985. HG-929.3778

Wilson, George F., Maryhelen Wilson, and Lois Stanley. Death Records of Missouri Men from Newspapers, 1808-1854. St. Louis, MO: Anundsen Publishing Co., 1981. HG-929.3778

Copyright 2000 by St. Louis Public Library. All rights reserved.

UPCOMING GENEALOGY/HISTORY CLASSES

Classes listed are all sponsored or co-sponsored by St. Louis Public Library. All are free and open to the public. Please note that locations may vary.

Thurs, Feb 24, 7 PM-8 PM—Black Codes and Fugitive Slave Laws. Join us as Tom Pearson discusses the numerous restrictions placed on slaves and free black persons in the antebellum and post-Civil War periods. Buder Branch. Pre-registration recommended but not required.

To register or for more information: tpearson@slpl.org.

Thurs, Mar 17, 10 AM-Noon--Citizen Soldiers: Researching Revolutionary War Ancestors. Join us as Tom Pearson discusses print, microfilm, manuscript, and Internet sources of info on our patriot ancestors. Buder Branch. Pre-registration recommended but not required.

To register or for more information: tpearson@slpl.org.

Thurs, Mar 24, 7 PM-9 PM—Thirteen Dollars a Month: Civil War Recruitment, Enlistment, Conscription, and Desertion. Join us as Tom Pearson discusses how our ancestors were recruited by, enlisted in, drafted by, and deserted from Civil War armies. Highland Civil War Roundtable (meets at First Congregational Church), 801 Washington St., Highland, IL 62249. Pre-registration recommended but not required.

To register or for more information: tpearson@slpl.org.

Click for SLPL branch library locations and hours

ST. LOUIS CEMETERY LISTS AND DEATH REGISTERS, 1764-1999: PART III

Patriotic Organizations: Some patriotic organizations and lineage societies, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, require that their members prove their line of descent from a man who fought in one of America’s wars. Such proof can exist in the form of a lengthy application form and numerous supporting documents, one of which could contain notice of a person’s death.

Pension Records: If a person died while receiving a pension, a record of the person’s death may exist in the pension file, because any survivors would have been required to notify the pension issuer of the death of the pensioner. Pension files of Civil War soldiers often contain a copies of death certificates, or the death certificates of widows who could draw pensions based on the service of their husbands. If death certificates were not issued at that time, a file may contain a letter from the man’s widow or physician reporting the death.

Police Reports and Court Records: If a person was murdered, killed in a brawl, or otherwise died violently, there is probably a police record of the arrest and a court record of the trial of the perpetrator. There is probably also a record of a coroner’s inquest, and a prison or execution record for the guilty party.

Probate, Estate, and Will Records: There is a good chance that a well-to-do ancestor left a will or probate record (there may also be a will or probate proceeding for a soldier who died while in service). There is also a good chance that such a record exists even if that state did not require the keeping of vital records at that time. These records also are usually indexed. Such records can provide an exact (sometimes approximate) date of death.

Copyright 2000 by St. Louis Public Library. All rights reserved.

ST. LOUIS CEMETERY LISTS AND DEATH REGISTERS, 1764-1999: PART II

Hospital Records: If your ancestor died in a hospital, there is a fairly good chance a record of the event still exists. This is especially true if the ancestor died in a city hospital, quarantine hospital, or other government-run health-care facility. Such a record may exist even if the state did not require the keeping of vital records at that time. A hospital that did not maintain a special register of deaths may have made note of patient fatalities in the its register of admissions and discharges.

Institution Records: If an ancestor was detained in an almshouse, old age home, soldiers’ home, insane asylum, prison or other criminal detention facility, a record of the ancestor’s death may exist in the records of that institution. This is true even if the state did not require the keeping of vital records at that time.

Military Records: If an ancestor died while in the military, it is possible that a record of the death exists, even if the keeping of vital records was not mandated at the time. Depending on the circumstances of your ancestor’s death, more than one record of death may actually exist. Your ancestor’s death could be recorded on the muster roll of his regiment, most of which have been microfilmed by the National Archives. If he was killed or wounded in action, or died while a prisoner, or died in a military hospital, or was executed by the enemy or by his own side, there may be a record of that event in addition to the muster roll.

Newspaper Obituaries, Death Notices, and Burial Permit Notices: Newspapers in the 19th century sometimes printed these notices, although the availability of these records will vary greatly by locality, as will the availability of indexing for these notices. A state historical society is often a good source of 19th century newspapers.

Organization Membership Lists: Nineteenth century people, male and female, were likely to be members of several organizations. Such memberships could provide amusement and companionship, and in some cases membership could provide medical care and burial privileges in the organization’s cemetery. Even if the organization did not provide burial services for its members, deaths of members were often recorded in the organization’s record books or in published annual reports. If an ancestor is buried in a cemetery such as an Odd Fellows or Masonic cemetery, then there could be some record of the person’s death in the organization’s archives.

Copyright 2000 by St. Louis Public Library. All rights reserved.

ST. LOUIS CEMETERY LISTS AND DEATH REGISTERS, 1764-1999

St. Louis Cemetery Lists and Death Registers, 1764-1999: a Selected, Annotated Bibliography of Materials in the Collection of St. Louis Public Library

PART I

INTRODUCTION

Genealogists are often told that no death records exist for the date prior to which a state began the mandatory collection of such records. But all such a statement really means is that the keeping of death records by that state’s Office of Vital Records was not mandatory in that state prior to that date. Obtaining a death certificate from a state Office of Vital Records is certainly not the only way to determine when an ancestor died. Following are some other sources that can be used to determine dates of death.

Office of Vital Records: Before they elected to require statewide keeping of vital records, many states had a period when keeping of vital records (usually by county clerks) was discretionary. Compliance was often low, but some county clerks did keep vital records during this trial period. Sometimes copies of such records were sent to a state office; often, however, copies were kept only by the county office. You should check with the county clerk in the county where a person died to see if there is a death certificate, even if there are supposedly no death records for that period for that county (trial periods for vital record keeping often started ca. 1850 and continued for varying periods of time; mandatory keeping of vital records usually begins ca. 1900-1910).

Bible Records: Many families in the 19th and early 20th centuries kept records of births and deaths in the family’s Bible, usually in a section of blank pages that was located between the Old and New Testaments. For many years, courts were required to accept such records as proof of birth or death. If you or another person in your family has an older Bible, you might check to see if
it contains such a section.

Cemetery Records: Cemeteries in most cases were recording information on their occupants long before the states in which they are located mandated the keeping of vital records. If you know where an ancestor is buried, you may wish to check with the sexton of that cemetery or the denomination or organization that maintains it to see if it has burial records for the cemetery. It is also possible that the city or county where the cemetery is located required a burial permit.

Coroner Records: If an ancestor died an unnatural death, especially in a big city or well-established county, there is a chance that a city or county coroner held an inquest to determine cause of death. This may be so even if that state at that time did not mandate keeping of vital records. Coroner case files are usually well organized and indexed.

Funeral Homes: A funeral home (especially one that has been in business in one location for a long time) may have useful and informative records on past interments. They are sometimes willing to share information in their files with genealogists.

Copyright 2000 by St. Louis Public Library. All rights reserved.

RESEARCHING YOUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR ANCESTOR, PT. V

The following is a selected bibliography of materials in the SLPL collection of interest to the Revolutionary War ancestor researcher. You can find many other items in our catalog by searching this subject entry:

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Registers.

SLPL Catalog: http://www.slpl.org/

IV Casualty Lists and Burial Records

36. Daughters of the American Revolution. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Missouri. Kansas City: DAR, 1966. (Central-HG 973.74)

37. Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Dallas: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987-1988. (Central-HG 973.74)

38. Illinois State Genealogical Society. Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in Illinois: a Bicentennial Project of the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Springfield: The Society, 1975. (Central-HG 929.3773)

39. Peterson, Clarence S. Known Military Dead During the American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. Baltimore: C. S. Peterson, 1959. (Central-HG 973.74)

V Patriotic & Hereditary Organizations

40. Daughters of the American Revolution. Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestors Index) in the Lineage Books of the NSDAR. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1972. (Central-HG 929.373)

41. Daughters of the American Revolution. Lineage Books of the NSDAR. Washington, D.C: The Society, 1890-1939. (Central-HG, ST 929.373)

42. Daughters of the American Revolution. Directory of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Washington, D.C.: Memorial Continental Hall, 1911. (Central-ST 369)

43. Davies, Wallace Evan. Patriotism on Parade: the Story of Veterans’ and Heredity Organizations in America, 1783-1900. Cambridge, MS: Harvard University Press, 1955. (Central-ST 369)

44. Sons of the Revolution. Missouri Society. Register of the Society of Sons of the Revolution in the State of Missouri. n.p., 1910. (Central-HG 369)

45. Sons of the Revolution. New York. Year Book of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York. New York: Francis E. Fitch, 1896-1898. (Central-ST 369)

Tom Pearson
Special Collections Department
St. Louis Public Library
tpearson@slpl.org
We're on the Web at: http://www.slpl.org