Auntie Jen's Family Trees

12/12/2025

Back in December 2016, I mentioned my ancestor, the Elusive Nicholas Buer, in a blog post. Then I updated it in 2021. Read more about him and what I finally located here: https://auntiejenstrees.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-elusive-nicholas-buer-update.html

12/11/2025

Telephone directories have been so helpful with my research. It fills in the gaps between censuses and other records.

Telephone directories can provide a genealogist with a great deal of information. Modern phone books contain information such as telephone numbers, addresses and advertisements. Have you ever thought of using one to locate a long lost relative? You will be amazed at what you can find just by looking at your local library’s collection. The following is a listing of possible information which can be found in old directories.

Advertisements for local and regional businesses

Biographies of businessmen

Cemetery locations

Date of death if the person died within the time period just before the book was published

Detailed histories of some businesses

Histories of the area

Information on the size of the household

Maps of the area

Names and addresses of people who lived in the area for which the book was printed

Occupation of the head of the household

Photographs or drawings of significant buildings in the area

Some directories list the name of the wife and children

Statistics about the area

Train schedules

The next time you are at your local library, take a moment or two to look into this source. You might just find that missing piece of the puzzle you had in mind.

12/10/2025

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My 2nd Great-Grandma Pauline Ilg married her second husband, John Jacob Baumgartner. They weren't married for very long, but were not officially divorced.
This record is from the church where they were married, St. Boniface Church in Carondelet, St. Louis, Missouri. This record actually gives the parents' names. Even if you find a marriage license, also look for church records. They could provide information you may not have and take you back another generation. Happy Hunting!

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

The parade is Friday!

12/09/2025

Missouri History

12/08/2025

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for family stories! What stories have been passed down to you through the years? Have you documented them? Now is the time to ask questions and have family share their memories. Do it now before it's too late! Let's go back to Episode 2 of Auntie Jen's Two Cents when I talk about this very subject. Happy Holidays!

Auntie Jen returns with a great idea for when you get together with family this holiday season. Instead of trying to take notes about basic facts, preserve f...

12/08/2025

Re: inquires about our 11/24/2025 post with the big family tree poster: it was designed and printed by our own MCPL marketing team for Candice Millard’s special visit, but the Missouri State Archives has a similar fillable poster online: https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives
On this webpage click on "Fillable Six-Generation Family Tree Poster." After filling it out you could take it to a print shop with large paper printing capabilities.

12/08/2025

The year I was born

12/07/2025

Today is Nation Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Did you have an ancestor who fought at Pearl Harbor?

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12/06/2025

We got to see Five Nights at Freddy's 2. In a word... AWESOME! Can't wait for the next chapter.