Welcome to the Johnson County (Kansas) Genealogical Society
Are you curious about your ancestors? Have you ever wondered where your family came from and what their lives were like? We are here to help you embark on a journey of discovery!
Here's what you'll find on our website:
- Events and Meetings: Join us for informative lectures, workshops, and social gatherings, where you can connect with other genealogists and share your research experiences while learning. For focused learning, join our Special Interest Groups.
- Membership: Become a member of our society to gain discounts on seminars, a monthly newsletter, the Zoom link for monthly meetings, and a network of experienced researchers who can assist you on your journey.
- Forms & Flyers: Explore our collection of online research forms and helpful guides to get you started on your genealogical research. We also offer a link to multiple free databases for researching genealogy offered by JoCo Library.
We invite you to delve into the fascinating world of genealogy! Together, let's unlock the stories of our ancestors and build a lasting legacy for generations to come.
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August 24th Monthly Meeting
Our next General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 24th at 10 AM in the Carmack Room at the Central Resource Library, and will feature the topic:
Toys and Miniatures: How Two Kansas City Women’s Love for “Small Things” Grew a National Museum
Presented by Madeline Rislow
In 1982, Mary Harris Francis (1927-2005) and Barbara Hall Marshall (1923-2021) combined their respective passions for historic toys and fine-scale miniature art to form a museum near Kansas City's Country Club Plaza. The idea to do so came about after the two friends returned from a trip with new purchases for their ever-expanding collections. Francis’ mother exclaimed that they’d have to start a museum if they got one more thing! Forty years later, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) houses over 90,000 objects—and growing. Each miniature is a testament to the artist's keen ability to achieve incredible detail at a seemingly impossible scale. A broad array of historic toys serves as a catalyst for conversation reflecting on the connections between past and present. Rislow will delve into what it means to "collect" and explore how we all share stories and create memories through the process of collecting. The presentation will include highlights from the T/M collection.
Dr. Madeline Rislow is an art historian currently serving as the Curator / Senior Manager of Learning and Engagement at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City. She has taught art history at the Kansas City Art Institute, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and, most recently, Missouri Western State University, where she was associate professor and director of art history. While she is a specialist in Italian Renaissance art, she has also published and presented on contemporary art, virtual reality, and popular culture through varied frameworks.
This JCGS meeting is free and open to the public.
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Memory Lab Updates
For the most current information on the Memory Lab, please click on the Memory Lab menu tab in the blue column on the left.
Need One-on-One Help?
JCGS volunteers are available Monday - Saturday from 9-5 at the Genealogy Desk at the Johnson County Central Resource Library for general questions. For those looking for a little extra help with either Basic Genealogy or DNA & Genetic Genealogy we also offer free one-on-one sessions that can be booked in advance.
If you would like to sign up for an appointment please use the appropriate button below to view the available appointment times and make a reservation. If you would prefer to not use SignUpGenius, you may also email libraryvols@jcgsks.org with your requested date and time.
Basic Genealogy sessions are available most Tuesday mornings. Sessions are in-person at the Central Resource Library unless Zoom is requested.
This is not for brick wall or advanced research help.
DNA & Genetic Genealogy sessions are available most Friday mornings.
