Jackson County Historical Society

Archives & Research Library

Jackson County, Missouri, history in a nutshell:

A River Runs By It: The Story of Independence and Jackson County, Missouri

NEW! Our “wish list” of books we’d like to acquire!

SCROLL TO FIND OUT …

… who we are;

… what we have to offer you

(including personalized, historical research;

also see “Other Products and Services” below);

… why you should consider helping us;

… where we’re located; and,

… when we’re available.

Also, click here for our contact information.

WHO WE ARE:

Although local residents were meeting as “The Jackson County Historical Society” as early as 1909, the first formal organization was in 1940. The Jackson County Historical Society began actively collecting artifacts relating to Jackson County, Missouri, history, in 1958. We’re dedicated to the future of the past. That means we’re busy making sure that Jackson County’s history is saved for future generations. To do this, we collect, preserve, and make available to researchers materials that provide a broad insight into the county’s civic, social, cultural, economic, and educational development.

A more "catchy" way of saying this *might* be that the Historical Society is SAVING LIVES! Truly! We're saving historical materials that individually and collectively bring to life the stories of ordinary people who have made Kansas City and Jackson County an extraordinary place to live and work and play.

People have locked up in their attics and closets items that document wonderful and colorful stories about our past. And, if we may continue to encourage donation of selected documents and photographs, the Historical Society will see that they are properly preserved...and made available to a wide audience for future generations to come.

We rely on contributions of historical materials as well as financial donations by people who recognize the importance of saving our heritage ... and who wish to be remembered for helping keep safe those items that document our American memory.

Through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and employees, the Society has managed to save a large quantity of important materials relating to the county’s illustrious history.

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER YOU:

Our records date from 1826 when Jackson County, Missouri, was formed. These historical and contemporary documents tell true stories of the daily lives of people who witnessed the westward traffic during the early trail days ... who suffered through fierce Civil War battles ... who benefited from Tom Pendergast’s political machinery (or not) ... who cheered their fellow citizen on to become the 33^rd President of the United States ... who welcomed home their Mormon neighbors after an earlier rift ... who built towns that grew to cities that have become part of a major metropolitan area.

The original documents of pioneer families, some of which describe the journey west itself, represent the county’s earliest period. Records of clubs and fine arts organizations that our citizens have fostered reveal our community’s social and cultural evolution. Two exciting developing collections include our Women’s History and African-American Heritage series. The personal papers of local leaders and entrepreneurs help document our area’s economic growth. Equally important are corporate records that document the business activities of the extensive financial empires founded in Jackson County, Missouri.

RECENT COLLECTIONS ACQUISITIONS

ARCHIVES AND RESEARCH LIBRARY

“City, county, state historical societies and libraries are a wealth of knowledge, artifacts, and resources ready to assist in finding your roots,” asserts Barry J. Ewell in his presentation, Effectively Tapping in to Local, County, State Historical Societies and Libraries, which guides you on the ins and outs of working with historical societies and how they can extend your research success. Thank you to Mr. Ewell for allowing us to post his PowerPoint presentation in pdf format here. If you prefer the text document in pdf format, click here.

Indeed, the Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society’s Archives and Research Library offers a wide range of primary source material that attracts a variety of researchers (including: genealogists, students, authors, journalists, and scholars). Full reference services are provided to researchers visiting the facility. Our Archives and Research Library maintains these kinds of records:

Abstracts of Title (historical property abstracts)

More than 4,000 Abstracts of Title have been donated to the Jackson County Historical Society over the last 40+ years. Until recent years, the purchaser of a home ordinarily paid a title or abstract company for an Abstract of Title (abstracts from original property deed books), which included a chain of title of all property owners back to when the government sold, or “patented” the land. Our Abstracts number over 4,000, and describe the transfer of property from the four corners of Jackson County, Missouri. Abstracts are also useful to genealogists, and we are currently extracting names from these files to increase patron access. Maybe we have an abstract that comes close to the property you are seeking? Perhaps you have an Abstract of Title to donate?

Architectural Drawings & Plans

A very limited selection; the Western Historical Manuscript Collection is the best source for commercial renderings, and blue prints for highly notable Jackson County-area architects and developers.

Archives & Manuscripts: Diaries, Letters, & Journals

Diaries, correspondence and unpublished research reflecting the lives and activities of individual Jackson County residents are found in our manuscript collections. The type and scope of these holdings is endless, and is currently accessed via finding aids and a card catalog.

Books

Nearly 2,000 volumes document the history of Jackson County and metropolitan Kansas City area. The bookshelves include many rare titles, and reflect the rich history found throughout the communities of Jackson County. These books do not circulate, and must be used in the Research Library. Consider adding to our Research Library by checking out our current “wish list” of desired books. Whether you have a book to donate, or would like to provide us with the funds to purchase a desired book, there’s an opportunity for us to improve what we have to offer to the public.

Business Ledgers & Records

Ledgers of selected area business and industries, describing the daily activities of many early Jackson County businesses date back to mid-1850s.

Census

Enumeration indexes of Jackson County in U.S. Census, 1830-1870; and, statistical data for Jackson County, Missouri, and her municipalities.

City Directories

A fairly complete collection of city directories that list businesses and individuals residing in Kansas City and surrounding communities starting in 1859. Other information in these directories includes business and home addresses, occupations, spouses’ names, cross index to street names, classified advertisers, and sometimes death dates of individuals. City directories complement telephone directories (see below).

County and City Records

Selected record series no longer retained by Jackson County and Independence, Missouri. County records include but are not limited to: election records; early Jackson County Circuit Court records [in process of being organized and indexed; therefore, limited access presently]; and, Jackson County Probate Records. City of Independence records include, but are not limited to: tax records; community development records; and property assessment records.

Genealogical Indexes to Vital Statistics

We have access to Jackson County, Missouri, genealogical-related indexes including: marriages, 1827-present; African-American marriages, 1865-present; early pioneer cemetery tombstone inscriptions; births, 1883-1895; deaths, 1874-1895, and 1910-1956; wills and administrations, 1860-1870; and land deeds, 1827-1836.

Plats, Printed Maps and Atlases & Jackson County Highway Maps

A variety of printed maps and atlases, as well as Jackson County Assessment Department plat maps detail property in Jackson County, Missouri. Some maps include landowners’ names, and others also reveal the location and shape of buildings on a property. We may be able to help you determine the legal description of a parcel of land you are researching, which is necessary when looking into land records. (We also offer for sale a booklet on how to research the history of your house in Jackson County.)

Newspapers

A variety of newspapers are available, including a nearly complete run of the Independence Examiner, and its predecessor, the Jackson Examiner. Newspapers are not usually indexed, and if the date of an event is not known, you must resort to searching day-by-day. One alternative is to research our Subject Files (described below).

Periodicals

Complementing the book collection is the Library’s core collection of serials, including several periodicals, journals, and newsletters devoted to local history, including the Historical Society’s JOURNAL. If you are affiliated with a Jackson County, Missouri, business or non-profit organization that produces a newsletter or regular publication, consider adding the Jackson County Historical Society to your distribution list so that copies may be preserved and made available to researchers into the future.

Photographic and Audio/Visual Collections

The photograph and slide collection contains roughly 10,000 images, dating primarily from the 1850s to 1960s, that depict a variety of local scenic views, portraits, events, and structures. Another 10,000 images comprise a set of glass plate negatives from the illustrious Strauss-Peyton Photo Studio (dating from 1900-1950s), which captured the likenesses of prominent and not-so-prominent Kansas City residents . . . even early motion picture stars and entertainers who visited Kansas City in the 1920s. Our audio/visual collection consists of more than 1,075 oral history interviews of local veterans and civilians who participated in wartime, as part of the Veterans History Project, promulgated by the Library of Congress.

Post Cards

A fine collection of post cards depicting views from Jackson County, Missouri, sites, structures, and tourist destinations. The Jackson County Historical Society is always interested in acquiring views of local scenes, so please consider the Society as a repository for postcards you may have, and want to make available to a wider audience for viewing, research, and education.

School Records

Teachers’ Reports and census and report cards for students attending various Jackson County school districts (excepting Kansas City schools) date from the early 1900s to the 1950s. There may be restrictions to access to portions on these collections.

Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks, when dated and indexed, are helpful in discovering the activities of an individual or organization. Scrapbooks present a challenge to preservationists, however, because they are usually created with very poor quality paper, and either glue or adhesive tape is used to attach items. Obtain a copy of our booklet on Practical Preservation to discover how you can better organize and preserve your personal or organizational belongings.

Subject Files

For a number of years our staff has been clipping articles from newspapers that relate to local history, and filing them by general subject headings. Other “miscellaneous” items also get filed, so you never know what you might find in the subject files.

Telephone Directories

Telephone books complement the city directories, and are helpful in locating individual and business addresses.

Yearbooks

School annuals for schools and colleges in Jackson County provide valuable visual images of students and their curricular and extracurricular activities.

BOOKSHOP

Nearly 1,000 book titles relating to local history are for sale in the Society’s bookshop. Visit the Bookshop in person, or browse all available titles online in our virtual bookshop.

OTHER SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

Personalized historical research

Researcher’s Forum (Can you provide information to help answer these unanswered research queries?)

Encapsulation (document preservation)

Special ordering of books

Photocopying and photograph reproduction

Basic preservation advice and supplies (folders, boxes, etc.)

Consulting in archives management

A Brief Timeline of Jackson County History

A lending library of materials specializing in the conservation of archival and museum collections

Researching Your House History

Speaker’s Bureau with topics on local history, and its preservation

Society members may also receive discounts on certain products and services. Ask about fees when contacting us with extensive research questions.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER HELPING US:

Most all of our holdings have come from generous donations, which is why we continually ask visitors, members, businesses, and other interested parties to consider donating to our holdings. The Jackson County Historical Society Archives and Research Library welcomes donations of historical materials that relate to the creation and development of Jackson County and its citizens.

The Society also welcomes bequests and monetary gifts, which help us vigorously pursue our mission. These bequeaths, along with annual membership dues, are our primary sources of income. All gifts, donations, and contributions to the Society are tax deductible. Contact our Executive Director, Steve Noll, personally (via e-mail snoll “@” jchs.org (see NOTE at bottom), or by calling 816.461.1897) for more information about how you may make a lasting gift.

We would not be as effective in reaching our goals and objectives if it were not for the dedication and service of the men and women who voluntarily give their time and talent each day of the week. If you are looking for volunteer or internship opportunities, consider joining us. There are a variety of exciting tasks that you may undertake, depending on your availability and interests.

WHERE WE’RE LOCATED:

The Jackson County Historical Society invites you to visit its Archives, Research Library & Bookshop located in the heart of Independence, Missouri.

Our surface mailing address:

Archives Research Library, and Bookshop

Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society

112 W Lexington Ave, Ste 103

Independence, MO 64050

Driving Directions:

From I-70, take Noland Road north 4 miles to Truman Road; the square is one block west to Main Street and south one block.

From I-435, take Truman Road east 4 miles to Main Street and south one block.

WHEN WE’RE AVAILABLE:

The collections in our Archives and Research Library are available to the public by advanced appointment, Monday through Friday.

NOTE: So that our staff and volunteers may enjoy the holidays, we will be closed and unavailable:

June 25 through July 10, 2008

November 27 and 28, 2008

December 22, 2008 through January 2, 2009

Happy holidays from your Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society!

NOTE: Our antiquated card catalog is in the process of being retrospectively converted to an electronic, online database. To facilitate research access into the card catalog while this process is taking place (from July 2007 through September 2008), we have microfilmed our card catalog for patron use. Please note that this step of using the microfilmed card catalog increases research time significantly, and precludes multiple patron access. Advanced appointments, therefore, are strongly recommended.

Patron access to collections in the Archives and Research Library is $10 per visit for each non-member.

Society members who support the mission of our nonprofit organization enjoy many benefits, including FREE admission to all sites, subscriptions to the JCHS JOURNAL and newsletters, purchase discounts, special invitations and more. Become a member of the Jackson County Historical Society NOW!!