We are only open two days per week at the historical/genealogical society. With the COVID-19 stuff going on, we are only open 2 hours on those days. Normally we are open from 10 AM to 4 PM, but the hours are now 10 AM – Noon. I was able to verify the death of someone who died in 1995 and let the person know the individual had passed on.
I went on Tuesday for the first time in a while as it’s far enough away to make getting there a challenge. I have a friend who gives me a ride there and back, but I know it was taking him a lot of gas to do that. I am hopeful we will soon be able to be open longer. Masks are required and I don’t mind wearing mine. It’s a three story building with a basement. Most of the Kansas records are on the first floor. Some of the local marriage records and applications and early death certificates are in the basement.
We do have records and books from all over the United States, but our largest collection is Kansas, specifically, Sedgwick County and Wichita. We do have most other Kansas counties as people donate from other counties and we get newsletters from other genealogy and history societies in the state as well as from other parts of the country.
Many of the records at the society are only available by visiting us when we are open. For some things, like obits, marriage license applications and records, you can submit a request along with a fee and have copies e-mailed or mailed to you. It can be fun to learn about local history. Like today, I saw an obit where Jackie Cooper’s father had an obit in the local newspaper. He’s buried locally and is buried next to his second wife.
Ups Downs Family History 