The reading room
Genealogy & local history
The Della Lang Local History and Genealogy Room, at the Northwest Branch in High Ridge, keeps Jefferson County’s own record: oral histories recorded across the 1980s, the Murder and Mayhem podcast’s 27 true-crime case files, local-history books and articles, and the genealogy databases researchers use to trace a family or a place.
The Genealogy Department has built this collection for public use since the library was young, indexed and searchable alongside the county’s own documents, photographs, and family histories.
“In June, 1991, two branches, Northwest in High Ridge and Fox-Arnold in Arnold, were opened in rented quarters, in a storefront in High Ridge Plaza and in the lower level of the Arnold City Hall.”
From the district’s history
The Della Lang Interviews
Local historian Della Lang recorded interviews with Jefferson County residents across the 1980s, most with family connections to northwest Jefferson County. She let each conversation warm up before starting the tape, so several interviews below begin mid-subject: a choice preserved in the recordings as she made them.
Della Lang of High Ridge was one of five citizens the Jefferson County Commission appointed to the library’s first Board of Trustees on November 23, 1981, four years before the earliest interview below, recorded in 1985.
Index of interview subjects (PDF) · Browse the recordings on Google Drive
-
Ada (Brackman) Moore oral history interview
Ada (Brackman) Moore, daughter of George Brackman and Cassie Sullens, interviewed by Della Lang on January 7, 1986.
-
Harold Weber oral history interview
Harold Weber, son of James T. Weber and Laura Nollman, interviewed by Della Lang across four recorded parts in 1985.
-
Violet (Curtis) Werner oral history interview
Violet (Curtis) Werner, wife of Arnold Werner of High Ridge, interviewed by Della Lang in July 1986.
-
Virginia, Juliana, and Marie Weber oral history interview
Virginia, Juliana, and Marie Weber, daughters of Albert Weber and Elizabeth Nahlik of House Springs, interviewed by Della Lang in 1986.
-
Alice (Alt) Erb oral history interview
Alice (Alt) Erb, daughter of Charles Alt and Charlotte Hagermeister, interviewed by Della Lang in June 1986.
-
Goldie (Lony) Eisenhauer oral history interview
Goldie (Lony) Eisenhauer (1908-1993), daughter of Edward Lony and Emma Meier and wife of George Eisenhauer, interviewed by Della Lang on March 21, 1986.
-
Stella (McClain) Lawrence and Lawrence Delbruegge oral history interview
Stella (McClain) Lawrence (1891-1992), wife of Charles Lawrence of Fenton, interviewed by Della Lang and Jackie McClain on June 5, 1985; the same recording's second side interviews Lawrence Delbruegge (1905-1993), son of Peter Delbrugge and Elizabeth Schwebel.
-
Amandus Wallach oral history interview
Amandus Wallach (1909-1993), son of Frank Wallach and Mary Scheel, interviewed by Della Lang on October 23, 1985.
-
Bob Crean oral history interview
Bob Crean (1924-2009), son of Eugene Crean and Ida Johnson of Byrnesville, interviewed by Della Lang in 1985.
The podcast
Murder and Mayhem case files
Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County is the library’s own true-crime podcast: 27 case files across two seasons, each drawn from the county’s own history and archives. Episodes are available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1926
Murder and Mayhem: The Great Festus Bank Heist
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Great Festus Bank Heist (1926). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1926
Murder and Mayhem: The Mistaken Identity Murder: Virgil Romine
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Mistaken Identity Murder: Virgil Romine (1926). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1784-1858
Murder and Mayhem: The Witch of Victoria, MO: The Story of Prudence Bevis (Queen Beavers)
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Witch of Victoria, MO: The Story of Prudence Bevis (Queen Beavers) (1784-1858). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1872-1951
Murder and Mayhem: Florence Nightingale Murders: The Bertha Gifford Story, Part One
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Florence Nightingale Murders: The Bertha Gifford Story, Part One (1872-1951). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1872-1951
Murder and Mayhem: Florence Nightingale Murders: The Bertha Gifford Story, Part Two
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Florence Nightingale Murders: The Bertha Gifford Story, Part Two (1872-1951). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1943
Murder and Mayhem: The Labor Czar Murder: Joseph "Buck" Newell
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Labor Czar Murder: Joseph "Buck" Newell (1943). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1901
Murder and Mayhem: The Jaded Love Murder: Meloy and Greenhill-Uren
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Jaded Love Murder: Meloy and Greenhill-Uren (1901). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1921
Murder and Mayhem: The Bootlegger Murder: Andrew Deck
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Bootlegger Murder: Andrew Deck (1921). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1929-1979
Murder and Mayhem: Moonshine and Mobsters: The Biltmore Club
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Moonshine and Mobsters: The Biltmore Club (1929-1979). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1883
Murder and Mayhem: The Frisco Hill Murders: Marsden and Hensley
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Frisco Hill Murders: Marsden and Hensley (1883). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1872
Murder and Mayhem: The Bushwhacker Murder: Sam Hildebrand
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Bushwhacker Murder: Sam Hildebrand (1872). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1869
Murder and Mayhem: The Vigilante Murders: Bickford and Quick
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Vigilante Murders: Bickford and Quick (1869). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1862
Murder and Mayhem: The Family Affair Murders: Eoff
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Family Affair Murders: Eoff (1862). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · circa 1800
Murder and Mayhem: The Pioneer Murders: Holdebrand/House
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Pioneer Murders: Holdebrand/House (circa 1800). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1911
Murder and Mayhem: The Love Triangle Murder: Martin Hunning
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Love Triangle Murder: Martin Hunning (1911). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1884
Murder and Mayhem: Newlywed Murders: The Bonackers
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Newlywed Murders: The Bonackers (1884). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE
Murder and Mayhem: Murder in the Cornfield: The Wilson/Schulz Murders
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Murder in the Cornfield: The Wilson/Schulz Murders. Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE
Murder and Mayhem: Murder in the Morning: The Gasche Murder
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Murder in the Morning: The Gasche Murder. Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1931
Murder and Mayhem: The Blues Highway Robbery: Earl Snodgrass and Opal Stacy
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Blues Highway Robbery: Earl Snodgrass and Opal Stacy (1931). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1958
Murder and Mayhem: The Cold Case Murder: Margaret Lowery
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Cold Case Murder: Margaret Lowery (1958). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1954
Murder and Mayhem: The Hitchhiker Murder: Louis Otto
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Hitchhiker Murder: Louis Otto (1954). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1840
Murder and Mayhem: The Christmas Murder: Jacob Ringer
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Christmas Murder: Jacob Ringer (1840). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1770-1836
Murder and Mayhem: Deals and Duels: The Legend of John Smith T
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of The Legend of John Smith T (1770-1836). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1929
Murder and Mayhem: Prohibition and Patricide: William "Big Bill" Zaruba
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Prohibition and Patricide: William "Big Bill" Zaruba (1929). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1929
Murder and Mayhem: Murder in the Family: Russel Becker
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Murder in the Family: Russel Becker (1929). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1928
Murder and Mayhem: Murder of a Sweet Young Thing: Pearl Potoskey
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Murder of a Sweet Young Thing: Pearl Potoskey (1928). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
-
CASE FILE · 1872
Murder and Mayhem: Murder of the Innocent: Louis Merrill Taylor
A Murder and Mayhem in Jefferson County podcast episode covering the true local case of Murder of the Innocent: Louis Merrill Taylor (1872). Available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps under jeffcomomurderandmayhem.
Local-history articles
Nine short pieces from the archive, hosted here as searchable PDFs: county history including two of its earthquakes and the 1918 flu, plus true-crime pieces that also appear in the Murder and Mayhem case files above.
-
All Shook Up - 1917 Earthquake
PDF -
Great Earthquake of 1811-12
PDF -
Spanish Flu 1918
PDF -
Pearl Harbor
PDF -
Mastodons in Kimmswick
PDF -
Bonacker Murders
PDF -
Hunning Murder
PDF -
Legend of Queen Beavers
PDF -
Della Lang Dedication
PDF
America 250 series
Three essays the library wrote for the nation’s 250th anniversary, hosted here where a digitized copy exists.
-
The Great Experiment: 1700s in America
PDFA local-history article on the 1700s in America, part of the library's America 250 series.
-
A Nation Forged in Fire: 1800s in America
PDFA local-history article on the 1800s in America, part of the library's America 250 series.
-
Majority Rule, Minority Rights: 1900s in America
PDFA local-history article on the 1900s in America, part of the library's America 250 series.
Local-history books
Five booklets written by Della Lang herself, hosted here as searchable PDFs.
-
Pioneer Lady: The Story of Mary Catherine Horan, 1835-1893
A Della Lang booklet telling the life story of Mary Catherine Horan, an early Jefferson County settler.
Read the PDF · 52,450 characters, full text searchable
-
Speaking of Eliza: Her Personal Observations and Experiences During the Civil War
A Della Lang booklet presenting a Jefferson County woman's firsthand observations and experiences of the Civil War.
Read: Speaking of Eliza (PDF) · 34,058 characters, full text searchable
Read: Her Personal Observations and Experiences During the Civil War (PDF) · 34,058 characters, full text searchable
-
Witchcraft, Wickedness, and Other Wacky Happenings in Jefferson County History
A Della Lang booklet collecting unusual and colorful episodes from Jefferson County's past.
Read the PDF · 45,995 characters, full text searchable
-
Sam Hildebrand, Bandit, Badman and Bushwhacker
A Della Lang booklet on Sam Hildebrand, the Civil War-era bushwhacker whose 1872 case is also covered in the Murder and Mayhem podcast.
Read the PDF · 23,668 characters, full text searchable
-
The Legend of House Springs
A Della Lang booklet recounting the local legend and history behind House Springs, Missouri.
Read the PDF · 41,432 characters, full text searchable
Videos, databases & classes
Videos
-
Saluting Our Soldiers: Veterans Oral History
A two-part video, presented by JCL's Angela Warnick, telling the true story of a 1939 murder and sharecroppers' strike, endorsed by missouri2021.org as part of Missouri's Bicentennial.
-
Jefferson County, MO Virtual Video Tours
A set of 30-to-45-minute virtual tours of historical sites across Jefferson County, produced with local historical societies for Missouri's 2021 Bicentennial.
-
Mack Marsden Murder Mystery talk
Author Joe Johnston's July 13, 2018 talk on the death of a pioneer Jefferson County resident's son, accused of hog theft, arson, and murder, part of the Genealogy Department's Bicentennial Speaker Series.
-
Jefferson County Bicentennial History lecture
Dr. Stephen Huss's lecture on the history of Jefferson County, Missouri, presented in summer 2018 as part of the Bicentennial Speaker Series.
-
The Civil War in Jefferson County
A local genealogy series presentation with two skits, "The Arrest of Mollie Rudder" and "The Sullivan Ballou Letter," exploring how the Civil War divided Jefferson County neighbors and families.
Genealogy databases
-
Ancestry (in-library use only)
In-library onlyU.S. Census, military, court, land, probate, vital, and church records, directories, and passenger lists; available for in-library use only.
-
Fold3
A historical documents collection of military records, city directories, Native American archives, historical newspapers, and naturalization documents.
-
HeritageQuest Online
Every available U.S. federal census, plus family genealogies, local histories, and finding aids for more than 60 countries dating back to the 1700s.
-
FamilySearch
A free, nonprofit family history site; the Northwest branch is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library with access to additional restricted digital collections on-site.
-
Missouri Digital Heritage
More than 9 million records from the Missouri State Archives, Missouri State Library, and other state institutions.
-
Newspaper Index Database (NIDB)
Indexes names of Jefferson County, Missouri residents found in local historical newspapers microfilmed and housed in the Northwest Branch Special Collection, including births, deaths, marriages, probate, and divorce records.
-
Newspapers.com by Ancestry
Online access to 5,600-plus historical newspapers from nearly 60 U.S., Canadian, and other locations, including specific Jefferson County titles such as the Jefferson Republic (1898-1964) and Jefferson Democrat (1866-1940).
-
Chronicling America
Historic U.S. newspaper pages from 1789-1963, plus a U.S. Newspaper Directory covering 1690-present, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
Full details, including which databases require a library card, are on Online genealogy databases.
Classes
-
Beginning Genealogy
An introductory online class on how to start researching your family history.
-
Using the Census for Genealogy Research
An online class on how to use U.S. Census records for genealogy research.
-
Genealogy Websites: Free Resources with Remote Access
An online class covering free genealogy websites you can access from home.
-
Tracking Down the Dead: Methods of Burial Discovery
A Zoom class led by JCL genealogy staffer Ginger Brickey on methods for locating ancestors' burial locations.
Get help with your research
Personalized research help is available by appointment at the Northwest Branch. Call ahead to confirm the department is staffed the day you plan to visit.
Branch staff can search up to five names in the library’s indexed genealogy materials for a $10 non-refundable fee, payable by check to Jefferson County Library; the fee covers copies and postage. The department also welcomes donations of publications, family histories, photographs, and other items of genealogical merit.
Northwest Branch
5680 State Road PP, High Ridge, MO 63049
(636) 677-8186