Government records are generated at multiple levels. Most are produced at the federal, state, and local government level. Every ten years the federal government collects census information; however, in the past, many state and local governments recorded census data.

The St. Louis Genealogical Society has compiled this information for you. Society volunteers will continue to search for more data. Please support our efforts with your membership.

Federal Records

Federal records include census, Works Project Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, early postal records, land grants, post 1906 naturalizations, immigration, and military indexes.

State Records

State records include birth, census, courts, deaths, and military indexes.

Local Records

Coroner

The coroner’s office investigates all unnatural deaths, homicides, suicides, and accidents. There was a coroner’s office in St. Louis from 1845 to 1876, with all unnatural deaths processed at this location. Those records are available at the office of the St. Louis medical examiner at 1300 Clark Street. The Missouri Digital Heritage Coroners’ Inquest Database is an index of coroners’ records from several Missouri counties, including the City of St. Louis.

After 1876, when St. Louis County split from the city, there were two coroners’ offices. To expedite your search, you need to determine the place of death, either the city or county. Coroners’ records are public. However, today, both St. Louis city and county have medical examiners, and their records are considered private and available only to next of kin.

Today, both St. Louis city and county have medical examiners, and their records are considered private and available only to next of kin. The St. Louis City coroners’ microfilmed records start in 1846 and continue to 1900. Photocopies of records after 1900 are available from the office.

From 1845 to 1876, all city and county records are in one location. After 1876, they include only the city records. St. Louis County records starting in 1877 are not on the internet or microfilmed. Contact the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office, 6059 North Hanley Road, to obtain a copy of these records.

Courts

The court system in St. Louis began well before statehood and consisted of many courts that no longer exist. For a comprehensive list of the courts and the dates during which they functioned, see the “Courts of St. Louis” page.

 

Local records include census, coroner, court, fire and police, land, pre-1906 naturalization, probate, taxation, and voter registration indexes.

Click here for contact information for government agencies with genealogical information.

Last modified: 31-May-2025 10:56