Genealogy and Local History

The Buchanan County Public Library celebrates our county’s rich history and our peoples’ heritage in many ways. We have a Local History Reference area in the library filled with information on local families and our region’s history, we provide free access to research databases (see the complete list below), and our staff is happy to assist with genealogy questions in person, by email or phone.

Library staff work on preservation and collection projects as time and funding allows. Some of the projects include StoryCorps interviews which are archived at the Library of Congress. Another project is our Digital History Archive with in-library and remote access to local newspapers and other items of interest. Local school annuals are being digitized and made accessible on the library’s Local History Reference computers.

From September through May, a monthly workshop features a guest speaker or a topic of historical interest is hosted at the library at no charge. Topics have included “Murder in Buchanan County” and speakers have included H.A. Street. Watch our online calendar for upcoming events.

Check out all our great genealogy and local history resources below!