German Special Interest Group

StLGS German Special Interest Group (G-SIG)

Information on this year’s meetings and recorded G-SIG webinars are further down this page.

Click here to watch a short video on the G-SIG and the St. Louis Genealogical Society.

The St. Louis Genealogical Society German Special Interest Group focuses on teaching family history research, providing genealogy classes, and research opportunities. We welcome those interested in researching their German-speaking ancestors from the Second German Empire or earlier German states, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Switzerland, and any other German-speaking enclave. We host four German genealogy meetings annually. These are supplemented by several German-specific classes yearly as part of St. Louis Genealogical Society’s ongoing education program.

StLGS and the G-SIG often provide suggestions to St. Louis County Library for expansion of their large German genealogy collection. G-SIG is instrumental in StLGS’s efforts to collect, preserve, and publish genealogical and historical records.

For details or information about the German SIG, contact Carol Whitton, G-SIG coordinator, at

International German Genealogical Partnership, IGGP

The German SIG of St. Louis Genealogical Society is a member of the International German Genealogical Partnership (IGGP). Partner societies in IGGP include more than 100 individual German Genealogy Societies in the U.S., Germany, and several other countries. For more information on this organization, German Genealogical activities, and bi-annual U.S. German Genealogy Conferences visit https://iggpartner.org/

Names of Our German SIG Immigrants

To further connections between German SIG participants and relatives in the U.S. and Germany, we have encouraged participants to submit information about their German-speaking immigrant ancestors. On the Immigrant List page, you may find arrival dates, residences, and locations in Europe. Check out the page for specific information. click here.

German Research Websites

When you are ready to start researching your German ancestors, you will find many online resources. For an annotated list of some of the better websites, click here.

The Germans in St. Louis

German settlement in St. Louis began in the early 1800s and accelerated throughout the nineteenth century. For the past 150 years, Germans have played an enormous part in the history of St. Louis. For more information on their role in the St. Louis metropolitan area, click here.

G-SIG Meetings for 2025

Carol Whitton will email the G-SIG mailing list with specifics for each meeting. If you are not on the SIG mailing list, please send an email to

All German SIG meetings are free and open to the public; however it is necessary to register, if you want to join a Zoom webinar. You do NOT need to register for any of the in-person meetings, which will be held at the StLGS office, or to view the digital recordings that will be posted on this page. All meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. (Central)

Our office is located at 4 Sunnen Drive, Suite 140, Maplewood, MO 63143. It’s easy to reach from any direction. Here is a link to Google maps that should help you find your way.

For a PDF version of this year’s meeting flyer, click here.

German SIG Meetings for 2025

Next Meeting: Saturday, 21 June 2025

1:00 p.m. (Central)

Status Designation in German Church Records: A Mirror of Local Society

German church records contain detailed information about individuals’ social statuses, such as citizen, inhabitant, neighbor, and more. But what exactly do these terms mean, and why was status so significant? Let’s explore the importance of these designations and their implications for understanding historical context.

Featured Speaker: Ute Brandenburg, professional genealogist

This meeting is hybrid. You do not need to register to attend in person, but you do need to register to attend virtually. Please follow the directions below.

To attend the Zoom webinar:

• • • You will need a link and a passcode, so it is necessary to preregister.
    • Click on the Registration Button below and follow the simple instructions that appear on your screen.
    • Once you have filled in the registration form, an invitation with a link and a passcode to attend the meeting will be sent to the email you provided.

If there is a handout for this meeting, it will be here.

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Remaining Meeting for 2025:

Saturday, 20 September 2025

St. Louis Freie Gemeinde

Explore the German Freie Gemeinde, or “freethinkers” in St. Louis. Learn their history, beliefs, activities, and where to find records if you have an ancestor who may have been a member.

Featured Speaker: Robin McDonough, research librarian, St. Louis County Library

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Recorded SIG Meetings Available Online

Refreshing Your German Research–March 2025

Do you need to refocus your German research or are you just beginning? We now use more online records, but how can we make better use of these? Where should we look for additional records? Let’s remember the basics so we can move forward successfully.
Featured Speaker: Carol Whitton, StLGS Projects Director and German SIG leader

The recording of this meeting is here.

The handout for this meeting is here.

Unlocking Your German Roots: How a Professional Genealogist in Germany Can Help–January 2025

(We are sorry, but this meeting was not recorded. However, our speaker left a handout that can be accessed here.)

With many records only accessible in German archives and often written in old scripts, a local expert can provide invaluable assistance. From understanding regional history to navigating complex archival systems, working with a professional saves time, money, and effort while increasing the likelihood of uncovering family stories. Learn how to find a reputable genealogist in Germany, what to expect during the process, and the qualifications to look for in a genealogist.

Featured Speaker: Andrea Bentschneider, professional German genealogist

St. Louis German Social Organizations—June 2024

(Although this meeting was not recorded, our speaker left a handout for this meeting here, and a special “LibGuide” for German social groups on the Missouri Historical Society website. You can access the guide here.)

Many St. Louisans of German ancestry participated in social clubs and organizations. Some were fraternal/benevolent, some centered on music, athletics, literature, or specific regions in Germany. Learn more about these groups and how they offer a more well-rounded picture of our ancestors’ lives.

Featured Speaker: Emily Jaycox, research librarian, Missouri Historical Society Library & Research Center

German Genealogy: What Do You Need to Know?

This was the first meeting of 2020, which was held virtually. If you missed it, the recorded webinar can be viewed here.

The handout for this meeting is here

Ultimately, we seek the German village of origin in U.S. records, but other questions about our immigrant families need answering first. The answers to those questions will lead us toward our goal. By reviewing the basics, learning about Germany and its resources, and finding our U.S. records, we may be successful.

Featured Speaker: Carol Whitton, StLGS projects director and German SIG leader

Last modified: 13-May-2025 09:54