Pre-Tour Presentation
Live broadcast: February 26, 2026, 2:00–3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Link to Join Pre-Tour Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96054761551
Presented by Katheen Mackenzie, Education & Programming Manager, & Melanie McComb, Senior Genealogist
Learn how to prepare for your time at the Midwest Genealogy Center, make the most of your one-on-one consultations, and more! This presentation will be held in a zoom meeting format. This means that during our Q&A sessions you will have the option to come on camera, unmute, and ask questions. You also have the option to remain muted with your camera off, and instead ask questions in the meeting chat. Can't make the live session? Don't worry! This session will be recorded and posted on this page once it's finished. All tour participants will be notified via email when the recording is available.
Participant Forms
Participant Form for Pre-Tour Consultation - Due March 8
The first part of this online form asks you to submit your emergency contact information, dietary restrictions, and more. The second part of the form allows you to submit the details for your pre-tour consultation, which will take place over Zoom in the weeks ahead of the tour! Once you submit the form, Kathleen (the tour organizer) will be in touch to schedule your pre-tour consultation.
Please fill out this Participant Form by March 8. If we receive your form after that date, we cannot guarantee availability for a pre-tour consultation.
Would you like more guidance on what information to include on the form for your pre-tour consultation? You can view a sample participant form submission here. Questions? Contact Kathleen at Kathleen.Mackenzie@americanancestors.org.
Submission Form for On-Tour Consultation - Due March 25
While on the tour you will receive a 30-minute consultation with a genealogist. You have the option to submit a different topic, or to continue discussing the same topic you discussed during your pre-tour consultation. Either way, please submit this form by March 25.
Schedule
| Thursday, April 2 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Introduction, packets and nametags distributed |
| 11:00 -12:00 p.m. | Orientation by Midwest Genealogy Center Staff |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (provided, delivered from Panera). Orders will be taken by Kathleen in advance. |
| 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors genealogists |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lecture presented by American Ancestors Genealogist |
| 8:00 p.m. | Midwest Genealogy Center closes |
| Friday, April 3 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Personal research and consultations |
| 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (provided, delivered from Panera). Orders will be taken by Kathleen in advance. |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lecture presented by American Ancestors genealogist |
| 8:00 p.m. | Midwest Genealogy Center closes |
| Saturday, April 4 | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Meet at Midwest Genealogy Center |
| 10:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Personal research and consultations |
| 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (provided, delivered from Panera). Orders will be taken by Kathleen in advance. |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Closing dinner at Drumm Farm Golf Club |
Midwest Genealogy Center Information
Library Cards
We will be able to access all collections on-site without a library card. The Midwest Genealogy Center does offer FREE guest passes and paid library cards depending on what you are accessing. View a full breakdown below:
Physical collection: this collection is open to all without restriction—no library card or guest pass is necessary.
Use of the computers available at the center: you will need a FREE guest pass, which they can quickly print out for you.
View digital collections from home, check out items from the library while we are in Independence: you would need a library card which is $70/year for those in Missouri or Kansas. For those outside of MO and KS, a 6-month card is available for $35. Cards can only be issued in-person.
If you live in a library district that has a reciprocal agreement with the Midwest Genealogy Center, you may be able to get a free library card. You can view the districts that have reciprocal agreements and learn more about the library cards here: https://www.mymcpl.org/about/get-help/frequently-asked-questions/library-cards.
Helpful Links
Browse MGS's Research Databases (Please note that these are available on-site with a free guest pass. To search them from home during and after our trip, you would need to purchase a library card--see details above.)
Search MGC's Online Archives (Along the top of this page you will find menu items--"Browse Items," "Archival Collections," "Oral Histories," and "Finding Aids & Indexes."
Hotel Block and Other Accommodations
There are many hotels within a short driving distance of the Midwest Genealogy Center--you can explore the many hotel options here.
We have a courtesy room block with the Hilton Garden Inn located at 19677 E Jackson Drive, Independence, MO 64057, which is a 10-minute drive from the Midwest Genealogy Center. The available rate is $169/night, and is available for the nights within the window of Wednesday, 04/01/2026 through Sunday, 04/05/2026.
We have 10 rooms reserved as part of the block, but they can add on more if there is demand. To reserve a room as part of the block, please use this link or contact the Hilton Garden Inn at 1-877-782-9444 and ask to book through the "Tour of the Midwest Genealogy Center group block." Please reserve by March 2, 2026 to receive the group block rate.
Please contact Kathleen with any questions at kathleen.mackenzie@americanancestors.org.
