Midwest Genealogy Center near Kansas City.

The Midwest Genealogy Center opened in June 2008. The largest free-standing public genealogy library in the United States boasts 52,000 square feet of resources for family history researchers. Last year, over 118,000 patrons visited this library. 

It's an easy drive, even if you're not familiar with Kansas City.  Just take I-70 through Kansas City to Exit 14 (Lee's Summit Road) and turn north. Follow Lee's Summit Road to Kiger Road. Turn left. The library is immediately to the left.

I've been there several times.  It's well laid out and very comfortable.  This center really welcomes the out-of-town researcher and day-tripping groups,  with oversize parking for buses and RVs; a patron lounge
with lockers, vending machines, and ample tables; computers, copiers and reader-printers for researchers. 

The Midwest Genealogy Center is part of the Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) system. MCPL has a long history of providing outstanding genealogy resources, and the Genealogy Center has been a major step in the growth of the system.  The MGC was built for about eight million dollars without creating an increase in library taxes. 

Amongst its many features, MGC houses a uniquely expansive circulating collection and almost completely open stacks. New technology is also a major attribute of the building. Microfilm reader-printers, a self-digitization station, and significant database access allow researchers to use today's technology to assist their investigations.

The center also sends Interlibrary Loans.  They have over 16,000 genealogy and local history books available on interlibrary loan to researchers nationwide through local libraries. You can search their online catalog to find items available.

Here are some of their features:
Microfilm Sources

•All available U.S. federal population census schedules 1790 - 1930, including Soundex/Miracode indexes

•U.S. Land Sales in Missouri 1818 - 1903

•Draper Manuscripts

•Kentucky Tax Records

•Missouri State Penitentiary Records, 1836 - 1931

•Papers of the St. Louis Fur Trade

•Indexes to Compiled Service Records of MO Union and Confederate Civil War Soldiers

•Compiled Service Records of MO Union and Confederate Civil War Soldiers

•Selected Passenger Lists, Native American Sources, and State and Local Sources

•Partial state vital records for WA, AL, OR

•Records of Antebellum Southern Plantations

•City directory collection

•Independence Examiner

•Kansas City Star and Times and approximately 50 other Missouri newspaper titles.

Microfiche Records

•American Biographical Archives

•Black Biographical Dictionaries

•Civil War Unit Histories

•Partial state vital records for AR, CA, GA, IL, IN, KY, OR, TX

•Massachusetts original town records (incomplete - ongoing purchase)

•UMI Genealogy and Local History Series

•United States Serial Set

•Executive Branch Documents

Reference Book Collection

•80,000 title collection of family genealogies, local and state histories and compiled county records for Missouri, states east of Missouri, and states bordering Missouri

•Genealogy Periodical Collection

•Kansas City Star and Times newspaper obituaries 1979 - 2008

•Independence Examiner newspaper obituary and marriage index 1919 - 1950

•Census Indexes

Genealogy Circulating Collection

•Guide to Using Genealogy from the Heartland

Their website is http://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy 
 
The Midwest Genealogy Center has been called one of nine genealogy libraries to visit before you die, and the most visited tourism site in Independence. 
 
Directions and Hours


Midwest Genealogy Center

3440 S. Lee's Summit Road

Independence, MO 64055-1923

Phone: 816-252-7228

Hours: Mon - Thurs 9-9; Fri 9-6; Sat 9-5; Sun 1-5

From I-70, exit at Lee's Summit Road (exit 14) and turn north. Follow Lee's Summit Road to Kiger Road. Turn left. The library is immediately to the left.   The MGC requests that if you are visiting the library with a group, please call ahead so that they may have adequate staff to meet your needs.