Genealogy
Missouri Valley Room Genealogical Resources
The Kansas City Public Library has been a hub for genealogy research since the early 1900s. The collection greatly expanded in 1933 with the donation of lumber baron John Barber White’s genealogy library. Today, the collection has grown to include family histories, city directories, nineteenth century histories of counties in the Midwest, and genealogical periodicals beginning in the late 1800s. Patrons also have access to ancestory.com, a primary source used in the Missouri Valley Room.
To better prepare for your visit, see Services and Plan a Visit pages.
Missouri Valley Room Genealogical Resources
The Kansas City Public Library has been a hub for genealogy research since the early 1900s. The collection greatly expanded in 1933 with the donation of lumber baron John Barber White’s genealogy library. Today, the collection has grown to include family histories, city directories, nineteenth century histories of counties in the Midwest, and genealogical periodicals beginning in the late 1800s. Patrons also have access to ancestory.com, a primary source used in the Missouri Valley Room.
To better prepare for your visit, see Services and Plan a Visit pages.
Types of Research
Below is a list of guides created with the beginner in mind. Click on the subject heading to access the guide.
For specific titles, search the Library’s online catalog.
Images
For photographs, postcards, advertising cards, maps, and more, search our Digital Collections. For specific information about numerous Kansas City topics, search the Local History Index which includes citations to magazines, newspaper articles, and other materials.
Types of Research
Below is a list of guides created with the beginner in mind. Click on the subject heading to access the guide.
For specific titles, search the Library’s online catalog.
Images
For photographs, postcards, advertising cards, maps, and more, search our Digital Collections. For specific information about numerous Kansas City topics, search the Local History Index which includes citations to magazines, newspaper articles, and other materials.
Genealogy Resources
Ancestry.com
Find historical records tied to family histories on ancestry.com. Primary sources include marriage certificates, death records, city directories, and federal census records. To access this site, patrons will need to visit the Missouri Valley Room or one of our library locations.
HeritageQuest Online
Patrons with a Kansas City Public Library card have access to HeritageQuest, a sister site to ancestry.com. Primary documents include city directories and U.S. census records. Login to your kclibrary.org account to access the website.
Family Search
The FamilySearch database offers free access to 13.16 billion family records and over 500,000 publications. Since 2024, Missouri Valley Special Collections has been working with FamilySearch to digitize our out-of-print books. To view these materials online, users will need to create a free account on FamilySearch’s website. This how-to-guide can help get you started.
Family Tree Magazine
Current copies of Family Tree Magazine, a genealogist publication, can be found in the Missouri Valley Room. Beginner guides and free resources for all skill levels are available on their website.
Local Newspapers
Thanks to the advent of technology, some newspaper publications have become available online. Researchers with a Kansas City Public Library card have free access to the following databases through kclibrary.org:
View a list of Newspapers on Microfilm in the Missouri Valley Room.
Yearbooks & School Newspapers
Our collection of Kansas City, Missouri high school yearbooks have been digitized and can be viewed on their own page of this site. Physical copies of elementary, middle & junior high schools, college & trade school yearbooks can be viewed by visiting the Missouri Valley Room on the 5th floor of the Central Library. View a list of all available yearbook volumes.
Check out a how-to-book:
21st Century Family Historian (929.1072 L47T 2014)
Finding Your Roots: Easy-to-do Genealogy and Family History (929.1 S38F 2013)
A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors (929 S64G 2008)
A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Female Ancestors (929.1 C28GF)
Genealogy Resources
Ancestry.com
Find historical records tied to family histories on ancestry.com. Primary sources include marriage certificates, death records, city directories, and federal census records. To access this site, patrons will need to visit the Missouri Valley Room or one of our library locations.
HeritageQuest Online
Patrons with a Kansas City Public Library card have access to HeritageQuest, a sister site to ancestry.com. Primary documents include city directories and U.S. census records. Login to your kclibrary.org account to access the website.
Family Search
The FamilySearch database offers free access to 13.16 billion family records and over 500,000 publications. Since 2024, Missouri Valley Special Collections has been working with FamilySearch to digitize our out-of-print books. To view these materials online, users will need to create a free account on FamilySearch’s website. This how-to-guide can help get you started.
Family Tree Magazine
Current copies of Family Tree Magazine, a genealogist publication, can be found in the Missouri Valley Room. Beginner guides and free resources for all skill levels are available on their website.
Local Newspapers
Thanks to the advent of technology, some newspaper publications have become available online. Researchers with a Kansas City Public Library card have free access to the following databases through kclibrary.org:
View a list of Newspapers on Microfilm in the Missouri Valley Room.
Yearbooks & School Newspapers
Our collection of Kansas City, Missouri high school yearbooks have been digitized and can be viewed on their own page of this site. Physical copies of elementary, middle & junior high schools, college & trade school yearbooks can be viewed by visiting the Missouri Valley Room on the 5th floor of the Central Library. View a list of all available yearbook volumes.
Check out a how-to-book:
21st Century Family Historian (929.1072 L47T 2014)
Finding Your Roots: Easy-to-do Genealogy and Family History (929.1 S38F 2013)
A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors (929 S64G 2008)
A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Female Ancestors (929.1 C28GF)