Genealogy and History

Some of the sites below require a Kansas Library eCard, which is available for free. Call Reference at 913-682-5666 ext. 2100 to request an eCard or apply online.

* = Home access requires a Kansas Library e-Card

Ancestry – Library Edition – access available only within the library

Search records for free to discover your family’s history. Access on library computers.

Digital Kansas Sanborn Maps

Ranging from 1883-1949 for Leavenworth, the Sanborn fire insurance maps are valuable historical and genealogical tools. This service is provided by the University of Kansas Libraries.

Family Tree Magazine free resources

Free resources from the premiere publication about genealogy.

Fold3*

Premier collections of original military records including stories, photos, and personal documents from the U.S. National archives, The National Archives of the U.K. and other international records.

Freedmen’s Bureau Project

Searchable records and images of nearly 1.8 million emancipated slaves during the years 1865 to 1878, including marriages, military records, complaints and requests for various types of assistance.

Gale Genealogy Connect*

Collection of nearly 600 genealogy research and reference publications in searchable PDF format.

HeritageQuest Online*

Collection of research materials for tracing family history and American culture.

History Reference Center*

Full text from 1,620 reference books, encyclopedias and non-fiction books,150 leading history periodicals, nearly 57,000 historical documents, 78,000 biographies, 113,000 historical photos and maps, and 80 hours of historical video.

Kansas Digital Newspapers

The Kansas Digital Newspapers (KDN) program seeks to digitize and make available on the Internet digital editions of historic Kansas newspapers. Note: Digitized ‘Leavenworth Times’ from 1868 to 1922.

Kansas Government Information (KGI) Online Library

Kansas government publications, resources and information available from the State Library of Kansas.

Kansas Historical Society

Collects, preserves and interprets material and information pertaining to state government and Kansas history.

Kansas History, 1854-1865

Kansas history from the territorial years through the Civil war.

Midwest Genealogy Center

The largest free-standing public genealogy library in the United States boasts 52,000 square feet of resources for family history researchers.

National Archives and Records Administration

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government. Local and regional information is available through the National Archives at Kansas City.

National Park Service

A collection of the history of each branch of the military, including wars, battles, letters and interviews of service members.