Hawley Research Center

• Research Center Policy

We are the official repository for archived Osage County records. Let the experienced staff of Osage County Historical Society & Research Center help you find your family’s history. Our resources include:

Indexes to Osage County birth, marriage, divorce, death and probate records before 1911. (Not all years available for all records. Some available after 1911.)

• Complete paper records of civil and criminal court cases, 1861 – 1954.
• Federal and state census records for Osage County from 1860 to 1930.
• Osage County newspapers on microfilm, 1863 – 1960. Some indexed for significant events. (Some years not available.)
• Indexed miscellaneous obituaries, 1885 – 1989. Nearly complete collection, 1990 to present. We have over 35,000 names in our obituary files.
• Osage County cemetery records as well as those of the adjacent counties of Franklin, Shawnee and Wabaunsee.
• Osage County land ownership atlases 1879, 1899 and 1918, all indexed.
• Family histories, stories, pictures and pedigree charts. Large vertical file collection of families researched.
• Osage County town and school histories with pictures and lists of area high school graduates.
• Andreas’ & Cutler’s histories of Kansas with bio sketches, pictures, histories, etc.
• Forgotten Settlers of Kansas – pedigree charts. (26 volumes)
• Osage County Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Records-4 reels of microfilm

Because we are located across the street from the Osage County Courthouse, we are happy to obtain photocopies of original records.

For more information on our resources, please:

• e-mail research@kanza.net
• call 785-828-3477, 785-828-3223 or 785-235-5845
• write to The Osage County Historical Society, PO Box 361, Lyndon, KS 66451

Research Policy

Our standard research fee is $10.00 for the first hour, $5.00 each additional hour plus 25 cents for each copied page. Our practice is to research all available and/or applicable records including original records at the courthouse.

When the search is complete, we provide the patron with a list of what has been found along with a cost estimate. The patron is then able to remove from the list any items he/she might already have.

After final determination of items to be sent and costs, the patron sends a check or money order for the agreed upon amount made payable to Osage County Historical Society. Upon receipt of the check or money order, the packet is mailed to the patron.

The standard research fee may be negotiated if the request is very simple or very complex.

For adjacent area research see these websites:

• Topeka Genealogical Society, www.tgstopeka.org
• Kansas State Historical Society, www.kshs.org