Research the history of your family with online access to historical records provided by Ancestry.com. Discover where and when your ancestors lived. Read actual historical documents that refer to members of your family. Perfect for building family trees and other genealogical research.
Research
The Library has many resources, such as subscription databases, that can help you to research a variety of topics. Some databases have more than articles - they have practice tests for occupations, practical guides for entrepreneurs, and consumer guides for fixing cars.
Please ask a librarian for help exploring the Library's books, films, and databases.
Popular databases
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Library access only
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Library card required from home
Read entire articles from the Kansas City Star newspaper. All issues since 1991 are available.
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Read narrated children's books online, complete with sound and moving images. TumbleBooks features an optimized site for mobile and tablet users.
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Library card required from home
Listing of over 12 million businesses and 120 million residences in the United States. Businesses can be searched by name, line of business, geographic area and a number of other parameters. Both the Business database and the Residence database can be searched by entering a specific phone number or street address.
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Library card required from home
Browse historical maps for cities and towns in Missouri and Kansas.
New databases
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Library card required from home
Produce comprehensive business and residential lists as well as detailed demographic reports. Assess business viability, perform market and site location analysis, create sales leads and/or marketing mailing lists, find potential sponsors and donors to grow a non-profit, prepare a small business plan and much more.
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Library card required from home
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Library card required from home
Content and commentary commissioned by Editor in Chief, John L. Esposito, and developed by renowned scholars in areas such as global Islamic history, concepts, people, practices, politics, and culture.
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Library card required from home
Freegal Music is a downloadable music service that gives patrons access to about 3 million songs in MP3 format, including Sony Music’s catalog of artists. In total the collection is comprised of music from over 10,000 labels with music that originates in over 60 countries.
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Library card required from home
JobNow provides live help combined with online resources to guide you through the necessary tasks to get a job, including acing the interview, building a resume, and personality & career assessments.
Genealogy
Would you like to learn more about your family history? Start with the resources below or visit the Missouri Valley Room at the Central Library, 14. W. 10th Street, or more assistance.
- Books and other Library materials on African Americans in the Kansas City area.
- Family history resources at the Library.
- Local history resources
Genealogy Resources for Beginners
- Ask a MVSC librarian for a Genealogy Starter Kit
- Check out a how-to-book like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Genealogy (929.1 R79C 2005) or Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide to Family History & Genealogy (929.1 W69AN)
- Search these online tutorials:
How to Start Your Family History
RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees
Beginners' Guide to Genealogy Research on the Internet
