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French


In the 1700s, French settlers migrated up the Mississippi north from New Orleans and south along the rivers from Quebec and Detroit, often settling on Kaskaskia Island. Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau, along with other French settlers,decided to establish a village on the west bank of the Mississippi River. They were the first citizens of St. Louis.

Other French settlers migrated to St. Louis from Kaskaskia Island, New Orleans, and Detroit expanding the population of the newly formed community. Another French village, St. Ferdinand, was formed along the Missouri River just miles beyond the confluence of the Missouri River and the Mississippi River.

The French citizens continued to influence growth of St. Louis until after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. After that event, westward expansion of American citizens from Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia overwhelmed the St. Louis area.

The St. Louis County Library Special Collections offers a special finding aid outlining the French and French-Canadian resources available at the library. Click on St. Louis County Library Finding Aids for further information.

The St. Louis Genealogical Society sponsors a French Special Interest Group that meets four times a year. If you have French or French-Canadian ancestors, this group may be helpful with your research.

Bibliography


Beckwith, Paul. Creoles of St. Louis. St. Louis: Nixon-Jones Printing, 1893.

Peterson, Charles E. Colonial St. Louis: Building A Creole Capital. Tucson, Arizona: Patrice Press, 1993.