St. Louis's history includes French, German, and lesser-known Spanish influences. An 1856 plat map highlights the U.S. grappling with honoring Spanish land grants after the Louisiana Purchase.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported 27 murders in 1880 under the sensational headline, “A Bloody Record of Red-Handed Murder”—proof that sensationalism isn’t just a modern media trend!

On September 27, 1908, Anton and Rosa de Mercurio secured a marriage certificate, claiming they wed in Italy to avoid Missouri's prohibition on cousin marriages. However, they never obtained a marriage license, risking a $500 fine.

Backlog often uncovers unusual details, but Maria Eveslage’s death record takes the cake: at 69, she’s listed as dying of hemorrhoids. Couldn’t it just say “natural causes”?

In the 1920 census, Jack Sabin's mother tongue is listed as "Russian," with "OL" (Other Language) above it and "Rom" (Romania) above "Bessarabia," reflecting the region's complex linguistic and political history.

The Modern View captured the travels of its tight-knit community, from business trips to college returns, highlighting the comings and goings of local residents.

Curious if your ancestor left behind physical items from their occupation? Beyond censuses and directories, explore databases like Ancestry’s “U.S., Craftsperson Files, 1600-1995” to uncover their craft and connections!

Gotlieb Mayer’s craftsmanship as a silversmith and jeweler lives on at the Chrysler Museum of Art—explore his work here.

In 1880, St. Louis conducted the Federal Census twice, vying with Chicago for the title of the fourth-largest U.S. city. Unsatisfied with the initial results, city officials demanded a second count, rejecting the first enumeration, as shown above.

In 1885, Enoch Beakley, leader of a counterfeit money ring, was arrested after officers found molds for forging gold and silver coins in his home. Hundreds of dollars had already been circulated. Have you discovered any crimes in your family history?

Multigenerational households often include grandparents or young adults, but imagine five generations under one roof! In 1952, the Keelings of 902 West 39th Street, Kansas City, ranged from 2-year-old Stephen to their 98-year-old great-great-grandmother.

The 1940 Federal Census shows Bernice Clark earned $780 (about $17,000 today) as a uniform inspector—32% above the median income for women and more than any other member of her family, regardless of gender.

Civil War records, like pension index cards, can reveal your ancestor’s military service details, such as rank and unit. For example, George Carpenter served in Company G of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry and later the 145th Indiana Infantry, achieving the rank of Corporal. You can even request pension files from the National Archives for deeper insights!

Most draft cards list basics like height, weight, and eye color, but occasionally, the free-form section holds unique details. Our genealogists uncovered one such fascinating example above!

Genealogy isn’t just names and dates—it’s about uncovering personal details too! Draft cards, for example, provide insights like height, weight, and eye color, offering a glimpse of your ancestors beyond the family tree.

Did you know baptismal records can sometimes include a death date? While rare—especially for those who emigrated—it’s not impossible. For instance, John Meyer’s record notes, “obiit 1878 Juni 18,” providing a key detail about his life.

Missing someone in census records? They may have moved, passed away, or their name could be misspelled—like “Rigsby,” which was recorded as “Rorbgon.” Even the enumerator noted difficulty finding these names elsewhere!

On July 9, 1898, St. Louis grocer Henry Sauer left his wagon briefly while running errands at Union Station—only to return and find it gone! Curious about what happened next? Check out the full story in the picture above.

In the early 1900s, sisters Lillian and Ella Liebrecht defied their father’s disapproval by eloping—Lillian with Charles Miller in 1902 and Ella with Chas Fogerty in 1904—despite being primary caretakers for their father and brothers.

The 1900 census lists Edward Liebrecht as a widower, claiming his wife, Elizabeth, was dead. However, the 1920 census reveals Elizabeth was alive but a patient at the St. Louis Lunatic Asylum, likely misreported due to the stigma surrounding mental illness.