Uncover personal stories from our community’s past
Stories written by regular people about their lives help us imagine life in Topeka’s past.
Genealogy and Local History
Learning About Epidemics & Family History Gives Us Perspective
We all have family members who survived previous epidemics and disease, and we are here as a result.
Examine a New Online Resource for Shawnee County History
The Bulletin of the Shawnee County Historical Society is now available online!
Personal Memories of Monroe School’s Excellent Teachers in the Mid 1900s
Library staffer Luella Minner discusses being a student at a segregated school in the late 1940s & early 1950s.
Using DNA to Bust Genealogy Brick Walls
Explore how you can use sex chromosome DNA to solve family mysteries.
Finding Your Identity
Genealogy can give you a broader sense of who you are and your place in the world.
See Local History in the Making
View symbols & stories of 2020 that show how COVID-19 impacted & continues to impact Topeka & Shawnee County.
Tell Your Pandemic Story
Share your images, objects and stories of 2020 for an upcoming gallery exhibit.
What Do You Know About Juneteenth?
Uncover the history of Juneteenth and find local virtual Juneteenth events.
Find Your Ancestors in the Census
Learn how old Census data can help your genealogy research.
When DNA Science Hits Home
Learn about a family secret DNA testing uncovered.
We Are Family!
Experimenting with DNA results to find family members.