Welcome!
Join experts from American Ancestors for a series of lectures, one-on-one consultations, and assisted research at the Midwest Genealogy Center—one of America’s preeminent family history research centers. Access published resources that span all fifty states including published genealogies, local histories, compiled county records, and more.
Program Includes:
- Orientation and tour of the Midwest Genealogy Center
- Lectures from American Ancestors genealogists
- One, thirty-minute, pre-tour Zoom consultation with an expert genealogist to help prepare for your research
- One, thirty-minute, in-person consultation with expert genealogists during the tour
- Group meals (daily lunch, closing dinner)
- Pre-program preparatory webinar and resources
Please reach out to Kathleen Mackenzie, Education and Programming Manager, at kathleen.mackenzie@nehgs.org if you have any questions prior to the program.
Pre-Tour Preparatory Presentation
Presentation Slides
Live broadcast: Tuesday, July 9, 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Presented by Kathleen Mackenzie, Education and Programming Manager & David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist
Learn how to prepare for your time at the Midwest Genealogy Center, make the most of your one-on-one consultations, and more! This presentation will be held in a zoom meeting format. This means that during our Q&A sessions you will have the option to come on camera, unmute, and ask questions. You also have the option to remain muted with your camera off, and instead ask questions in the meeting chat.
Schedule
| Thursday, August 8 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:00 - 10:15 a.m. | Introduction, packets and nametags distributed |
| 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. | Orientation by Midwest Genealogy Center Staff |
| 11:15 - 5:00 p.m. | Consultations and personal research (research center closes at 8:00 p.m.) |
| 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (provided) |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lecture: Follow the Money: Tracing Ancestors on the Move, presented by Melanie McComb, American Ancestors Senior Genealogist |
| Friday, August 9 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:15 - 5:00 p.m. | Personal research and consultations (research center closes at 8:00 p.m.) |
| 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (provided) |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lecture: Raising the Dead: Finding Clues to Ancestors from Headstones, Family Plots, and Burial Records, presented by David Allen Lambert, American Ancestors Chief Genealogist |
| Saturday, August 10 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:15 - 5:00 p.m. | Personal research and consultations (repository closes at 8:00 p.m.) |
| 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (provided) |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Closing dinner at Drumm Farm Golf Club |
Packet Materials
To Come.
Participant Forms
Please fill out our two participant forms. Your answers on these form will assist our genealogists in preparing for your consultations!
Participant Form 1: Due July 15 (Provide your contact information, etc., and information for your pre-tour consultation)
Participant Form 2: Due August 2 (Provide information for your 30-minute on-tour consultation)
If you have any questions about filling out this form, please contact Education and Programming Manager, Kathleen Mackenzie at kathleen.mackenzie@nehgs.org.
Hotel Block
We have a courtesy room block with the Hilton Garden Inn located at 19677 E Jackson Drive, Independence, MO 64057, which is a 10-minute drive from the Midwest Genealogy Center. The available rate is $119/night, and is available for the nights of Wednesday, 08/07/2024 through Saturday, 08/10/2024. The hotel's breakfast buffet is included in this rate.
We have 10 rooms reserved as part of the block, but they can add on more if there is demand. To reserve a room as part of the block, please use this link or contact the Hilton Garden Inn at 1-877-782-9444 and ask to book through the "Tour of the Midwest Genealogy Center group block." Please reserve by July 19, 2024 to receive the group block rate.
Please contact Kathleen with any questions at kathleen.mackenzie@nehgs.org.
Library Cards
Some questions arose in our pre-tour Zoom meeting about library cards! We will be able to access all collections on-site without a library card. The Midwest Genealogy Center does offer FREE guest passes and paid library cards depending on what you are accessing. View a full breakdown below:
Physical collection: this collection is open to all without restriction—no library card or guest pass is necessary.
Use of the computers available at the center: you will need a FREE guest pass, which they can quickly print out for you.
View digital collections from home, check out items from the library while we are in Independence: you would need a library card which is $70/year for those in Missouri or Kansas. For those outside of MO and KS, a 6-month card is available for $35. Cards can only be issued in-person.
If you live in a library district that has a reciprocal agreement with the Midwest Genealogy Center, you may be able to get a free library card. You can view the districts that have reciprocal agreements and learn more about the library cards here: https://www.mymcpl.org/about/get-help/frequently-asked-questions/library-cards.
