Sunday, April 29, 2007

Preparing for A Research Trip

I've mentioned that the Summer 2007 Research Trip might be to Northwest Missouri. At the moment, the matter of such a trip is on hold for a variety of reasons; however, I thought it would be a useful exercise. My maternal Gines ancestors moved to Kansas City from Shreveport about a hundred years ago. Some might be found in Kansas. So here's what I would do.

1. Review and organize notes relevant to Northwest Missouri families (Gines, Long, Johnson, Gilbert).

2. Set research goals and priorities (e.g., find parents of Sarah Gilbert Johnson)

3. Use FHL Catalog as a guide to potential resources.

4. Identify, contact local genealogical, historical societies; document repositories, records offices.

I do this to make sure they know I coming as well. And I also use it as any opportunity to confirm hours, policies, extent of holdings.

Clay County Archives and Historical Library
Tel.: 816-781-3611
210 E Franklin, Liberty, MO 64068
Mailing Address
P. O. Box 99, Liberty, MO 64069
General Information: info@claycountyarchives.org

Platte County Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc.,
P. O. Box 103, Platte City, MO 64079-0103

Museum Address: Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum, 220 Ferrel Street, Platte City, MO 64079
Tel.: 816-431-5121
rootswebcom/~mopchgs

Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society
129 W Lexington Ave, Mezzanine
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 461-1897, Ext. 305

Jackson County Courthouse
415 E. 12th Street, 2nd floor
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
(816) 881-3242
(816) 881-3234 fax

Independence Office
200 S. Main
Independence, Missouri 64050
(816) 881-1626
(816) 881-4473 fax

Platte County Clerk's Office
415 Third St., Suite 30
Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (816) 858-2232

Kansas City Public Library
14 West 10th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105

Mid-Continent Public Library
Genealogy and Local History
317 W. 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64050-2747
Phone 816-252-7228
Mon - Thur 9-9, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5


Kansas City, Kansas Public Library,
625 Minnesota Ave.,
Kansas City, KS 66101.

Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Ave
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 272-8681


Unified Government Clerk
701 N 7th St, Suite 323
Kansas City, KS 6610
913-573-5260

5. Determine locations of potential resources. Match resources to locations.

6. Contact repositories, libraries, etc to confirm addresses, resources, hours, and policies.

7. Contact cousins and let them know travel plans

8. Check to see if there are any Random Acts.


Other than making the travel arrangements, what else should I be doing?

3 comments:

Miriam Robbins said...

One thing I can think of is to see if the state Department of Transportation has a link to possible road construction in the area...something to check right before leaving on your trip. Even if you fly to the area, you are probably going to rent a car so you can get to various research locations. It would be unpleasant to have to waste time waiting at construction sites when you could plan alternate routes.

You may also check with some of the groups you've mentioned to see if they have suggestions regarding road construction, and to get the lowdown on parking fees or best places to park when visiting.

Happy Hunting, Craig! I envy you. I'll be sticking close to home this summer.

Craig Manson said...

Miriam, This is an excellent and useful idea. One those things that we don't sometimes think of in advance. Thanks!

Miriam Robbins said...

I probably would not have even thought of it, except for my recent daily experiences: there is major construction going on around both my teens' schools. Three times a day I have to go back AND forth through a construction zone to deliver or pick the kids up...this will be in place until September 12th. (sigh - thank goodness school will be out soon!)