Irish immigration to St. Louis, Missouri, began in the early 1800s and grew significantly during the economic expansion of the 1830s. The Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) and the failed Irish uprising of 1848 further motivated many to seek new opportunities in America, with St. Louis emerging as a key destination.

An emergency plan is more than knowing the nearest exit—it’s your external brain during a crisis, helping you make quick, informed decisions. It should include team contacts, essential equipment, recovery resources, and an emergency budget. Most importantly, always put human health and safety first.

The 1870 census, the first after the Civil War, listed African Americans by name for the first time — a stark contrast to previous censuses, where enslaved individuals were recorded only as statistics. For many, it was the first official record of their surname.

Understanding which items in your collection are the highest priority can be just as crucial as identifying potential threats, especially when deciding what to rescue first in a disaster.

For those tracing family roots in Central Illinois, Abraham Lincoln’s early years in New Salem provide an unexpected trove of historical records. His roles as postmaster, surveyor, and lawyer generated documents that, alongside land surveys and legal cases, offer unique insights into the lives of early settlers in the region.

A small neighborhood archive, overwhelmed by an unruly collection, faced a common dilemma: what to keep and what to discard? The key is a clear collection policy. Without it, institutions risk becoming storage spaces for unrelated donations—like 2,000 salt and pepper shakers. A well-defined policy ensures each item aligns with the mission, storage capacity, and research value, transforming clutter into a meaningful collection.

If you're familiar with Friday Finds, you know 20th-century obituaries can be incredibly detailed. Captain Robert Bruce Ferry’s is a prime example:

Death? "Died Sunday morning, after 24 days of illness."
Bio? "Family traced back to 1090 Normandy royalty."
Accomplishments? "Served in many Civil War battles, including Gettysburg."
Deer count? "Killed 1,029 deer between 1851 and 1910."

A real-life war hero with a serious hunting record!

Pop Quiz: What Threats Endanger Archival Materials?

Pests or mold? Correct—they spread fast and demand urgent action. What about non-spreading threats? Mechanical wear, fading, or foxing are great examples!

Prioritize by focusing on spreading threats first, but don’t neglect stable ones. And don’t worry—an emergency plan (coming soon!) will help you stay prepared.

Father Cesare Spigardi, a missionary from Mantua, Italy, became a pillar of St. Louis’ Italian community in the early 1900s. He founded churches like Our Lady Help of Christians and St. Charles Borromeo, bridging linguistic and cultural divides among immigrants. Beyond his pastoral role, he mediated disputes, supported the poor, and established St. Domenico’s Italian Orphan Home.

His work left a lasting impact, with parish records on FamilySearch.org offering valuable insights for genealogists exploring Italian ancestry in St. Louis.

Feuding with in-laws may be a sitcom staple, but in 1909, Mr. M.J. Murphy took his dispute to a higher authority: the church. After his son-in-law reneged on a 20-year-old promise to raise his children Catholic, Mr. Murphy sought documentation to bolster his case. The church’s swift reply? No record of dispensation.

Floods, leaks, and sprinkler malfunctions can devastate collections, especially when water reaches 100%. Recovery depends on the materials affected—plastic on metal shelves fares differently than parchment on wood. While comprehensive solutions vary, preparation is key: monitor environments, create an emergency plan, and always store items at least half a foot off the ground.

Genealogy isn’t just about uncovering family secrets or distant noble ties—it’s about the joy of discovery. Take the Roche family, for example: tracing their roots back to 17th-century Cork County, Ireland, revealed baptismal records from a village called Castletownroche. Even more exciting, Blackwater Castle, the heart of Castletownroche, still stands today, connecting the past to the present in a tangible way. How far back have you traced your family tree?

Prevention is key when it comes to mold in archives. Keeping humidity and temperature in check is crucial, as mold thrives in conditions between 65-70% humidity and 75°F-85°F. If an outbreak does occur, prioritize personal protective equipment (PPE) and, at the first sign of health issues, contact a conservator.

Searching for an ancestor's headstone is a classic genealogical activity for good reason! Beyond death certificates and obituaries, cemetery records like plot maps and burial registers can reveal hidden family connections.

Mold is every archivist's nightmare, thriving in humidity and mild temperatures, feeding on our precious collections. Like a B-Movie monster, it lurks until the right conditions activate it, causing irreversible damage unless fully removed.

December 3rd marks the birthdays of Robert, Leonard, and Edward Thornhill—not triplets, but brothers born years apart on the same day in New Jersey. A remarkable coincidence for genealogical records!

Uninvited guests in archives, like bookworms (not actual worms!), can cause significant damage to collections. To prevent infestations, maintain stable temperature and humidity levels, and avoid crumbs, especially during the holidays!

Census records aren’t always straightforward—like when 7-year-old Osca Bischoff was listed as an “inmate.” In 1870, this term referred broadly to residents of places like hotels, orphanages, or asylums!

Foxing, the brownish-red discoloration on paper, is often debated as being caused by mold, oxidation, or other factors. While repairing it should be left to professionals, you can preserve the document by digitizing it and storing it in proper, buffered housing at low humidity.

Passports weren’t consistently required for U.S. travel until WWII, but Edward Gut’s 19th-century application highlights their utility. Instead of a photo, it included a written description—like having a “mouth, proportional”!