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Valley descendant traces family history and local landmarks in Ste. Genevieve City talk
Summary
A Valley descendant gave a Ste. Genevieve City presentation tracing the family's genealogy, local sites named for them, cemetery burials and estate records, and highlighted 19th-century donations that helped fund the local church and Valley Schools.
A presenter who identified themself as a descendant of the Valley family delivered a community talk in Ste. Genevieve City tracing the family’s genealogy, local landmarks that bear the Valley name and archival records that document the family’s economic and civic presence.
The presenter opened with a brief tribute to the foundation’s late president, Bill Hart, who "unexpectedly passed away December 28th," and moved into a survey of Valley-related sites in town, saying the family name appears on properties and institutions including the Jean Baptiste Valley House (National Park Service), Valley Schools, Valley Spring and Valley Spring Cemetery and Park.
Why it matters: the presentation drew from church and archival records to show how one family’s multi-century presence left place names, donations and estate records that are still visible in the town’s built environment and institutional memory.
Cemetery records and family burials. Citing church records, the presenter said there are 24 Valley burials recorded in Memorial Cemetery and about 30 tombstones associated with the name; he also cited a figure of 204 total burials related to the family and said 143 of that 204 were recorded as formerly enslaved people connected to Valley households. "Per church records, we have 24 Valley burials in Memorial Cemetery," the presenter said, noting those figures as evidence of the family’s local influence.
Genealogy and early arrivals. The presenter traced the family name from French origins (Vale/La Valle) through early arrivals in the 18th century, noting manuscript references to a Lewis Lavali in 1737 and describing France (Francois) Valley’s activity in the 1740s as a trader and partner to Joseph Liberville. He summarized archival entries that record partnerships, wills and trade agreements from the mid-1700s.
Local roles and philanthropy. Using estate inventories and wills, the presenter described how family members’ roles evolved over time—from traders and voyers to militia captains and local officials—and highlighted donations that shaped local institutions. He said the main body of the local Catholic church was completed in 1880 at a reported cost of $24,000 and that O—Dil/Odal (referred to in local records with variant spellings) Pratt Valley gave $18,000 toward the effort; the presenter said the Valley Schools carry the family name in recognition of that support.
Material culture and estate inventories. The presenter read from an estate inventory for Marie Louise (a Valley descendant) that recorded a large volume of household goods—described in the talk as "about 1,400 arm-lengths of material"—and noted 26 outstanding bills owed to her, which he used to illustrate household commerce and seamstressing activity in the late 18th century.
Audience exchange and closure. Attendees interjected at times to confirm site details (an attendee identified his house as the Jean Baptiste Valley House) and to say Valley history appears in local school materials, though alumni recalled only "bits and pieces." The presenter closed by inviting questions and directing inquiries to Jim for specific follow-ups.
The presenter repeatedly attributed facts to church manuscripts and archival records; where numbers were read aloud, he identified the source as church or manuscript records. The talk concluded with thanks to the audience and an offer to answer questions.
