Missouri State Genealogical Association-mosga

09/12/2026

MoSGA Members received the electronic version of the MoSGA Journal No. 1 for 2026 this week via email! We are grateful for all who have contributed towards this issue.

Special gratitude is extended to long-time Journal Editor, Linda McCarty, and Interim Journal Editor, Belinda Luke. We are thankful for Linda’s years of service and dedication to MoSGA and the preservation of family history. Belinda, who is the Journal Editor for the Genealogical Society of Boone County and Central Missouri, has put together an informative issue with articles from: Preston Washington, Bill Eddleman, Maxine Tate, Beth Talken, and Nancy W. Thomas.

As Journal No. 2 is currently being edited, we want to encourage you to submit an article for future issues. If you have previously submitted articles that have not been published please re-send them to ensure we have them.

(Note: If you paid to have a print copy of the Journal it should arrive in the next few weeks.)

08/21/2026

Congratulations to the Stone County Historical/Genealogical Society (SCHGS - Museum) on receiving a grant award through the MoSGA 21st Century Fund Grant Program in the amount of $400 to support the implementation of a structured archival system using PastPerfect 5.0 desktop software to catalog and index genealogical materials. The physical collection will also be preserved and organized by replacing the existing binder system with end-tab file folders and labeled vertical filing systems.

Photo feature: Stone County Historical/Genealogical Society & Museum is located on historic Main Street in the “Neatest Little Town”, Crane, Missouri. Beyond housing local artifacts, photo-ops, photographs, and genealogical records, the museum operates as a National Park Service "Trail of Tears" interpretive center, providing maps, videos, and information on certified trail routes.

We look forward to visiting and following the progress of your 21st Century Fund project. MoSGA sends a special thanks to all volunteers who make it possible to preserve the past for the future!

08/21/2026

Congratulations to the Des Peres Historical Society (DPHS) for receiving a grant through the MoSGA 21st Century Fund Grant Program in the amount of $600 to support the purchase of archival-quality storage supplies needed to preserve and organize historically significant documents and photographs. Many of the documents were received by DPHS in fragile condition. These records provide invaluable insight into the city's civic, educational, business, and cultural history. The grant will enable DPHS to properly preserve these resources, prevent further deterioration, and ensure their long-term availability for genealogical research.

Photo feature: Des Peres City Hall was originally built in 1936 as a rebuild of the German Lutheran Orphans Home. (The site's orphanage history dates back further to 1868 after the Civil War.) After the orphanage closed in 1966, the city purchased the property in 1973 for a municipal complex and park. In August 2025, DPHS moved into office space rented in the Des Peres City Hall.

We look forward to visiting and celebrating the milestones of your 21st Century Fund project. MoSGA sends a special thanks to all volunteers who make it possible to preserve the past for the future!

08/19/2026

Congratulations to KC Cemetery Man, Kurt Jordan, on receiving the Award of Merit at the 2026 MoSGA Annual Conference for his outstanding contributions to Missouri cemetery preservation.

"Kurt Jordan cleans and repairs gravestones for the pleasure of giving back to the community and recognizing those who have gone before us. Seven years ago, Kurt helped his father clean and repair a family stone in Greenwick Cemetery in Andrew County, Missouri. Over the next few years, Kurt not only repaired all of the headstones in that cemetery, he partnered with local genealogists and the cemetery board to tell the stories of the families buried there. QR codes next to each headstone lead to a website giving names, families, and stories of that person.
Kurt received training on best practices of stone cleaning, and has gone on to lead community classes on how to clean gravestones, providing the materials free of charge. In fact, Kurt has never charged a fee or taken any donation for his work. He always says that he has been blessed in his life and this is one way he gives back. Kurt Jordan is good people." - Cheryl Lang

You can follow Kurt's journey on FB and instagram at KCcemeteryman.

Greenwick Cemetery can be found in Amazonia, Andrew County, Missouri. "Sarah Catherine (Wheeler) Lang (1853-1886) is the only known member of her family to be buried in Greenwick Cemetery. Born and raised in Iowa, she was married in Polk County, Iowa at the age of 16, with the permission of her father, Archibald Wheeler, to William Lang (1849-1915). Sarah had previously been married at the age of 15 (also in Polk County, Iowa) to Patrick Rady. Sarah and William Lang had eight children, all of whom lived to adulthood." - Find a Grave Memorial ID: 214304080

We are grateful for the good people who help preserve and tell the stories of those who have gone before us. Thank you, Kurt!

08/14/2026

08/10/2026

1 of 2 ~ See what's up for our hybrid/zoom September 1-15 classes and programs! All are free for anyone! You can go ahead and sign up for them now if you want. Just be sure to put them on your calendar...
Register at: https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/programs

08/10/2026