Kansas History & Genealogy

The Kansas Room contains a wide variety of historic, genealogical, and government materials dealing with the Leavenworth area, the state of Kansas, and the West. If you would like to pursue genealogy research online, we provide our patrons with in-house access to the Ancestry database. Patrons residing in Kansas may now access Heritage Quest online from home at this site: http://kslib.info This is one of the many databases the state of Kansas has subscribed to for its residents. Just click "Explore Our Resources" below the search bar.

The Vertical File contains a wide assortment of materials including information on famous people, such as Lewis & Clark, Buffalo Bill Cody, and George Armstrong Custer. News clippings and pamphlets have information on local events, churches, and schools.

The Map Collection consists of a selection of historical and recent maps of Leavenworth city and county, along with the state of Kansas. 

Newspapers & More on Microfilm of The Leavenworth Times is available from 1857 to the present. Click to view other types of materials available. [Request at Circulation Desk]
Genealogy Microfilm In a Kansas Room locked file: Census records, city directories, land, divorce, marriage, and naturalization records along with other historic documents are also available. [Request assistance at Reference Desk]
Microfilm does not check out and must be viewed on readers at the library.

The Photograph Collection owned by the library contains thousands of photographs of Leavenworth people, businesses, and events. The recent addition of the Johnny and Annie Johnston Collection adds several thousand more images. For more information about the collection, please contact the Kansas Room Librarian at 682-5666 ext. 206 or refdesk@leavenworth.lib.ks.us.

Research services include document or microfilm searches available to patrons who are unable to visit the library. A fee of $15.00 per hour is assessed and covers the time for the search, photocopies, and mailing charges. All checks must be received before the research is performed. When requesting information it is important to include as much detail as possible; requests may be sent to Leavenworth Public Library, attn. Reference Department, 417 Spruce, Leavenworth, KS 66048 or emailed to refdesk@leavenworth.lib.ks.us.