Whether it’s researching family history or learning about how St. Joseph got started, the St. Joseph Public Library offers multiple research tools.

Local History Librarian Jennifer Sanders-Tutt said whether you are just starting out with your research or need some new ideas, they can help.

“We’re here all the time for people to stop in and get help with genealogy, and not just genealogy, if they have a question about local history, St. Joseph, or the area, we’re here to answer all of those questions… we love research, that’s why we’re librarians,” Sanders-Tutt said. “But I don’t know how many people know that that’s something that we’re here for all the time, so I thought maybe setting a specific time and date would maybe help get that out there.”

Sanders-Tutt said 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Downtown Library is set aside for a Genealogy Drop-In for anyone wanting to come in for help with their research. The library features census information, local history and record books from the 1880s and earlier.

“One of my favorite items in the collection are some of the “who’s who” in St. Joseph or Men (Who) Make St. Joseph “The City Worth While,”” Sanders-Tutt said. “Those are really interesting because they’re biographical information. They compiled books and books of biographical information on business owners and important business people in general so you can go in and you can find information about their family going way back, which is really exciting. There’s usually also some sort of image, photograph or drawing of them in there too which is really cool to find that far back.”

Sanders-Tutt said, twice a year, the library offers a genealogy workshop called “Where Do We Begin.” That will be held sometime in April and is for all levels of people into genealogy research.

For more information, contact the Downtown Library Reference Department at (816) 232-8151 or click here.