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JCHS Archives and Research Library

Research Requests

The Jackson County Historical Society (JCHS), located in Independence, MO, has a vast array of photographs, collections and documents available for inspection.

JCHS is unable to accommodate walk-in researchers. Appointments are required to ensure materials are available for your visit. Please email archivist@jchs.org to request an appointment.

When you request an appointment, please be as specific as you can in your request as this helps to ensure that our researchers find the information you are looking for.

If you are performing genealogy research, please contact the Midwest Genealogy Center located at 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Rd. in Independence, Mo.

Please note that material may not be available for what you are researching unless it was donated to the Jackson County Historical Society. Other area depositories may be able to assist you. We are happy to provide you contact information for other locations.

Appointment requests should be made at least one week in advance. Appointments made are on a first come, first served basis.

There is no charge for in-person research.

*Please note that we are located in Missouri. 

Copying and Scanning

The archival staff is happy to make copies at the researcher’s request. Records that are too fragile, large, or have special copyright restrictions, cannot be copied or scanned. 

  • Copying- $0.25 per page

  • Digital Copies - $1.00 per page

  • Photographing by the researcher on site (no flash)- No charge

Researchers may request private use scans of any materials from JCHS.

JCHS will not charge for a request of 4 scans or less. These scans cannot be for any public use: published (print or online), displayed, or used in broadcast. Please ask the Archivist if you have any questions about public and private use. All researchers requesting scans or digital images of any kind will be asked to fill out a Public and Private Use form. A receipt for your purchase of scans is available upon request. 

JCHS does not print images at this time. 

For the public use fee schedule of JCHS materials and other archival policies, read our Archival Policies. 

Fee Breakdown

Due to the high demand for research requests and the increase in goods, research requests will have fees attached to them. Below is the breakdown of those fees.

  • FREE - The Archivist/Researcher will search JCHS databases to locate information to help you in your research.

  • $25 PER HOUR - The Archivist/Researcher will do a thorough search beyond JCHS databases to see what information we can provide for you.

  • FREE - In-Person Researcher Appointment - Make an appointment to view material personally.

  • THE PERKS OF MEMBERSHIP:

    • Sponsor Membership

      • 1 FREE hour of research

      • 1 FREE digital photo image

    • Benefactor Membership:

      • 2 FREE hours of Archivist research

      • First 15 pages of scans are FREE

      • 2 FREE digital photo images

    • Corporate Membership:

      • 2 FREE hours of Archivist research per year

      • First 25 pages of scans are FREE

      • 5 FREE digital photo images

    • Lifetime Membership:

      • 5 FREE hours of Archivist research per year

      • First 50 pages of scans are FREE

      • 10 FREE digital photo images