Jefferson County Library - Genealogy

Donation Request!

We are seeking a copy of the Lion 1974 Northwest Freshmen Center yearbook from House Springs. Do you have one to donate to our yearbook collection?
Let us know!

Have you explored the digital archives lately?
From historic photographs and postcards to newspaper clippings, and local documents, our online collections preserve the stories that shaped our community. Whether you're researching your family history, exploring local landmarks, or simply curious about the past, there's always something new to discover.

The image shown here is just one glimpse into our community's history. Explore thousands more from anywhere, anytime, and uncover the stories waiting to be found.

Image data: Lester Longhibler, Painting, Decorating and Dry Wall Contractor. High Ridge, Missouri.
Photograph of Lester Longhibler's work vehicle at his home.
Taken in the early 1960s
# 2008.009.063 Rich Ellmer Collection

https://jeffcolib.catalogaccess.com/

During the Gilded Age, America's cemeteries grew upward instead of outward. New advances in granite quarrying, transportation, and stoneworking made it possible to build towering obelisks, grand mausoleums, and impressive family monuments. At the same time, Victorian traditions of remembrance inspired increasingly elaborate memorials.

Join Dr. Jeff Smith as he explores how technology, engineering, and changing attitudes toward death transformed America's historic cemeteries. Through fascinating stories and historic images, discover how these remarkable monuments continue to shape cemetery landscapes today.

Visit the event calendar at jeffcolib.org to register!

In order to present our area’s history in an authentic way and document it, you gotta get out there and experience it. Today, our Genealogy & Local History team visited two historic mill sites - in Cedar Hill and Byrnes Mill along the Big River.

What other historic Jefferson County sites do you think we should visit?

Behind the Pages: How Your Favorite Newspaper Ends Up On Your Screen This blog takes you behind the curtain at Newspapers.com. Learn how your favorite newspapers end up on our site!

On this day in history (1903), Ford Motor Company took its first order from a dentist in Chicago, which was a Model A for $850. The Model T, mentioned in the following article, was first launched into production in 1908. Boemler Garage, at Main Street and Old State Road, served as an area Ford dealership. John P. Boemler built a two-story concrete block building with a staircase at the rear to access the second floor. When John retired and moved to Florida in 1930, the business was left to his nephew George. In 1931, George opened a successful Chevrolet dealership near Arnold and sold the Ford location to Joe Stovesand, who operated it for many years. The building still stands today and is home to Cactus Pete's Family Fun Center. I hear they have aliens.

Jefferson County Record
Thursday, February 6, 1913
page 5

John P. Boemler showed us a postel card from Ford Motor Company dated January 28, 1913 advising him of the shipment of a carload of model T Ford touring cars. Eight cars constituted the load all of which have been sold in Jefferson County by Mr. Boemler.
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Image of Boemler Garage, unknown date, Jefferson County Library - Northwest Branch Genealogy & Local History archives; 2016.005.005 Peggy Rausendorf Collection.

Street view image Google Maps 2023

A look at how area residents were celebrating the 4th of July 100 years ago -- with fish fry picnics and dancing! However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend!
First image: Jefferson Democrat, June 24, 1926 page 3
Second image: Jefferson County Record, June 24, 1926 page 5
Third image: Jefferson County Record, June 24, 1926 page 5

Did you know the St. Louis area played a key role in one of the most important public health studies of the Cold War?

A massive research project collected more than 300,000 baby teeth from children in the region to measure how radioactive fallout from above-ground nuclear weapons testing was being absorbed by the human body.

The findings provided powerful evidence of the dangers of nuclear fallout and helped build support for the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which was signed in 1963.

The following article, published in a Jefferson County newspaper, describes this study and its lasting impact.

Want to learn more? Jefferson County Library - Northwest Branch, in partnership with Missouri Humanities, is hosting a film viewing of Silent Fallout followed by a Q&A with Dr. Luke Ritter on Friday, July 17th. Details and registration for this free event can be found here: https://jeffcolibrarymo.libcal.com/calendar/17659/Silent_Fallout_film

-- Daily News-Democrat Tuesday, December 23, 1958 page 3

Baby Teeth Needed For Scientific Tests
St. Louis -- A drive was underway today to collect 50,000 baby teeth annually for study by dentists to provide a record of the absorption of strontium 90 by St. Louis area children.

The Greater St. Louis Citizens' Committee for Nuclear Information, which is sponsoring the campaign, said there has been a yearly increase in the amount of strontium 90 in soil and food since nuclear tests began about 10 years ago.

Tests in five areas have shown that milk from the St. Louis milkshed contains the highest strontium 90 levels for 1958.
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Then and Now: from Shoes to Sheet Metal, this building has provided a home to industry in De Soto for generations.

B&W image: JCL Genealogy and Local History digital archives # 2014.004.437
Color image: Google Maps search

Your Genealogy and Local History research team will have a table at this event on Saturday! Come by and visit us, and the many other regional history organizations who will be there! Rain or shine and free to attend.