Genealogy Research Guide

Image: Cartoon character at a messy desk unrolling a genealogy chart

Welcome to the Genealogy Research Guide. Here you will find links to great websites that provide free access to information about your ancestors. Local resources and area genealogy libraries are also listed in this guide. Take a look at the links below to help you get started.

Note about Census records:

According to the "72-Year Rule," the National Archives releases census records to the general public 72 years after Census Day. The 1960 census will be released in April 2032.

For details on information available in census forms by year of census click on Census Data: 1790-1950 (mymcpl.org)

Do you have photos, slides, movies, or documents that you would like to digitize but you don't know how, or you don't have the necessary equipment? The Do-It-Yourself Memory Lab located in the Johnson County Central Resource Library is available for public use. This resource is free and available to use with a current Johnson County Public Library card. Appointments are limited to 3 hours and are made online at jcgsks.org.

Free One-on-One Genealogy Help is Available! Johnson County Genealogy Society volunteers are available Monday - Saturday from 9-4 at the Genealogy Desk in the Johnson County Central Resource Library. Go to jcgska.org to set up an appointment.

Try using Summon to find historical information on a time period such as "Kansas history" or "Civil War" . You can find valuable information in books and articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals with Summon

1. Organize what you know about close relatives first.

2. Research from known ancestors back to unknown ancestors.

3. Geographic borders are different today compared to when your ancestors were alive.

4. Spellings of names and dates may be slightly off in the U.S. Census.

5. Talk to relatives, they may know a lot about specific ancestors. You can verify later by your research.