IN the 1913 time frame, if a woman living on the Illinois side gave birth in St. Louis, where would the birth record be listed. In Illinois county of residence or St. Louis, Mo? Pat

Births are usually filed in the county or independent city of birth. Please note that St. Louis city and St. Louis county have had a difference of opinion as to government reporting lines throughout history. At one time St. Louis city was part of the county. Then they decided that they didn't want to report directly to the county but to the state. So they split their relationship. Then the city decided it had made a wrong move so it went back under the county control. Then again the city leaders decided they wanted to be separated from the county and the split was made once more which is still true today. Therefore, St. Louis city is not in St. Louis county. St. Louis city is an independent city which reports directly to the State of Missouri. A lot of researchers will record the following which is an error - St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri I put in my personal records when recording the city - St. Louis, City, Missouri This way I know the difference. St. Louis city records are at the vital records office on Grand Avenue, about a block from Powell Symphony Hall and Fox Theatre. St. Louis county records are at the health department in Clayton in a building away from the main government buildings in downtown Clayton. Debbi Geer __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games http://sports.yahoo.com