The Midwest Genealogy Center

One of the participants in the FamilySearch Family History Archives , is the Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center. This important library is located in Independence, Missouri, just north of I70. To quote their Website, "Since the initial donation of a $14.64 book by the DAR in 1927, the collection has grown to over 10,000 circulating titles, 60,000 reference titles, a vast number of periodicals and newspapers, as well as microforms, maps, and online databases."

The 10,000 circulating titles are readily available at your local library through Inter-library Loan. At my local library, the Mesa Public Library, Inter-library loan articles are available for check-out for up to two weeks.

The reference book collection of the Midwest Genealogy Center includes the following:

• 60,000 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 - present
• Independence Examiner newspaper obituary and marriage index 1919 - 1947
• Census Indexes

In addition, the Library has extensive Microfilm and Microfiche records. The Mid-Continent Public Library has an on-line catalog that includes the genealogy collection. A search on my own surname turned up 32 books and microforms, many of which appeared interesting and relevant.