Genealogy Desk
Welcome to the Johnson County Library Genealogy Desk—a Library within the Library.
Hours & Location
You can find JCGS volunteers on site at the genealogy desk to offer assistance:
Mon: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tues: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Weds: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thurs: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sat: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Sun: no staff
Trace your roots and discover history. Since 1972, the Johnson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) and Johnson County Library have partnered to create a rich genealogy collection designed to support your family history research. We provide the space and JCGS volunteers staff the information desk within Central Resource Library.
The Genealogy section includes:
- Research Computers – Access online databases and digital genealogy tools.
- Reference Materials – Browse books, microfilm, microfiche, and other resources from the JCGS collection.
Special Features Include:
- Old Book Cabinet – A collection of fragile, older reference books preserved for careful browsing.
- 1977–2000 Johnson County Obituaries – A card catalog and filing cabinet with local obituaries from this 23-year span.
- Frequently Used Reference Bookcase – Includes essential titles like The Red Book, The Source, County Courthouse Book, The Handbook for Genealogists, and more.
- Free Handouts Wall – Grab helpful printouts like census forms, worksheets, checklists, and research tips.
- Genealogy Periodicals & Magazines – Stay up to date with specialized genealogy publications.
- Urban and Local Collection – Explore city directories, local yearbooks, and community histories.
- Map Collection – Featuring historic maps, some dating back to 1860.
Memory Lab:
Use the Memory Lab to digitize your memories. It's located in the Central Resource Library and is staffed by volunteers from the Library and JCGS. The Memory Lab is extremely popular, with available dates being reserved as quickly as they are made available. Currently reservations for available dates will be posted 30 days in advance.
