Government
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 and State Records
Census
St. Louis has census records from before statehood, and the mortality censuses from the 1850 and 1860 federal censuses help paint a picture of mid-nineteenth century life. Learn more on the “Census” page.
Immigration and Naturalization
After the Louisiana Purchase, American citizens from the east and south poured into St. Louis. Soon German immigrants joined the community. Some docked on the east coast, migrating to St. Louis via the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. However, many St. Louis immigrants sailed from the old country to New Orleans and then traveled up the Mississippi River by steamboat.
The Ernst Moritz Arndt was a ship that carried German immigrants into New Orleans on 30 November 1853. A list of passengers is here.
A year later, the Johannes arrived in New Orleans. A list of those passengers is here.
St. Louis became the Gateway to the West. Some of the immigrants stayed in St. Louis for the rest of their lives, while others continued west along the Missouri River.
Federal records include early postal records, land grants, post 1906 naturalizations, immigration, 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.
Fire and Police
St. Louis City and County have fire and police departments that go back into the nineteenth century, beginning as volunteer services and becoming important government agencies in their respective locations. Learn more about these departments on the “Fire and Police” page.
Land and Property
Deed records for St. Louis are available at the Recorder of Deeds Office in City Hall. These records, dating from 1804 to 1876, cover St. Louis before its split from St. Louis County. St. Louis City records are also available from 1877 to current day at City Hall. St. Louis County records, starting in 1877, to the current day, are available at the Recorder of Deeds office in Clayton, Missouri.
The earliest land grants in St. Louis were prior to statehood when the area was governed by the Spanish and the French.
Learn more about French and Spanish land grants on these pages:
French and Spanish Land Grants
Oscar Collett indexed early St. Louis deeds. During the French and Spanish days, prior to 1803, most citizens had the right to buy and sell property. After 1804, only adult white males were allowed to trade property. Unfortunately, Collett’s index does not include transactions by women, children, or people of color.
Click here for contact information for local government agencies with genealogical information.
Last modified: 12-Jun-2025 11:55