Published References

While the Archives and Records Office contains largely original and unique materials, various secondary reference materials shed light on the Catholic experience in the St. Louis area. A sample of these materials is located in the reading room. A few of the most frequently consulted materials are listed below.

  • Official Catholic Directory from 1822 to the present This directory provides the ecclesiastical statistics of the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Agana, Caroline and Marshall Islands and Foreign Missionary Activities. Information is derived from reports submitted to the publishers by individual dioceses.
  • Archdiocesan Yearbooks from 1947-1990 in paperback; 1992/93,1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002/03, and 2004 in loose-leaf format. This yearbook is a ready handbook of factual information on the people, parishes, agencies and associated organizations of the diocese. It was published solely online in 2005. The name changed to Archdiocesan Directory in 2006 and continues to be published solely online.
  • History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, 2 v. / by Rev. John Rothensteiner, c1928. This invaluable resource is the first comprehensive history of the diocese of St. Louis through 1928. It tells the story of the Catholic Church in this area interweaving facts, figures, names and places.
  • Archdiocese of St. Louis: Three centuries of Catholicism 1700-2000. By Reverend Monsignor Timothy Dolan et al. Strasbourg, France Editions du Signe, c2001. Published on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of St. Louis in 1826, this is an historical sketch of some of the people and events that have made St. Louis a uniquely Catholic region. It includes inspired leaders, milestone organizations and historic moments. It does not include parishes that were closed at the time of publication.
  • St. Louis Catholic Historical Review v.1-5 1918-1923 published by the Catholic Historical Society of St. Louis. Published original articles on subjects on the ecclesiastical history of the Mississippi Valley and documents from the archives of the Society.
  • Catholic Baptisms. St. Louis, Missouri. 1765-1840. St. Louis Genealogical Society, 2d printing, 1998. Index of records from St. Louis, King of France (the Old Cathedral) in the city, St. Ferdinand de Florissant to the north and St. Mary and Joseph in Carondelet to the south.
  • Index to St. Louis, Missouri, Marriages: Book 1 (1804-1859) & Book 2 (1860-1876) / compiled by Edward F. Mochel. 2v. St. Louis, Mo: St. Louis Genealogical Society, c1999. This index to the marriage records at city hall gives both male and female surnames in alphabetical order and given names in alphabetical order within the surname grouping. It distinguishes whether the bride was a maiden, widow or even a widow twice over. Symbols designate a person identified as a slave, free person of color or person of color.
  • Guide to St. Louis Catholic Archdiocesan Parish Records. St. Louis, Friends of St. Louis County Library, c.2001. This is an alphabetical listing by parish of the sacramental records of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Archdiocese worked with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints to have these records microfilmed in a project ranging from 1990-1993. Copies of this film were provided to the St. Louis County Library with the understanding that the Archdiocese restricts records to the general public after 1930 for privacy considerations.
  • Catholic Ancestry of St. Louis. By Reverend William Barnaby Faherty, S.J. St. Louis, Archdiocese of St. Louis, 1965. Short history of the progression of Catholic ethnic communities immigrating to St. Louis: the French, Irish, Germans, Italians, Belgians, Blacks, Bohemians, Slavic and Polish.
  • Dream by the River: Two Centuries of Catholicism 1766-1967. By Reverend William Barnaby Faherty. St. Louis, MO: Piraeus Publishers, Archdiocese of St. Louis, c1973. From the arrival of the first settlers in St. Louis to the death of Cardinal Ritter, this work looks at the various immigrant groups who contributed to the distinct spirit of St. Louis Catholicism. Although many facts rely heavily on the earlier work of Monsignor John Rothensteiner, this work looks at diocesan wide trends and moves the history forward.