Printed Publications
RCGS has nearly 7,000 print resources and continues to grow. RCGS members may check out non‑Kansas books for a two‑week loan period. The Society does not participate in interlibrary loan services, and we do not ship library materials.
Books and Periodicals
The Kansas collection of 1,667 items includes books for all 105 counties in the state. The rest of the library's holdings span every state except Hawaii, as well as foreign countries, broader geographical regions, and specialized subjects such as passenger lists and immigration/emigration records.
Family Histories
RCGS has over 1,363 published genealogies, with a special focus on those with connections to Kansas and Riley County. It's a rich collection for anyone tracing local roots or exploring regional family histories.
Court Records
The RCGS holdings includes both print and microfilm records of Riley County probate records, wills, naturalizations, marriages and vital records, from 1856 through 1939. All of these materials have been indexed, making it easy to search them by name.
Local Histories and Cemeteries
RCGS has documented all Riley County cemeteries. Churches, schools, and towns for Riley and adjacent counties are represented with local histories. Our newspaper abstracts provide birth, death, marriage information both on-line and in print form.
Censuses
Print and microfilm records exist for Riley County censuses from 1855 Territory through 1930.
Digital Resources
Your next family history breakthrough might be just a click away. The Riley County Genealogical Society Library offers a growing suite of digital resources designed to make research faster, deeper, and more rewarding—whether you’re tracing ancestors across continents or uncovering stories close to home. Computers are available for use in the library, giving you immediate access to all of our digital tools.
Through expanded FamilySearch access, a subscription to American Ancestors, and our own RCGS Index Database of more than one million local records, you can explore generations of history from one convenient hub. These tools connect you to global archives, regional collections, and the unique records that define our community’s past.
Each resource opens a different door into discovery—one global, one regional, one uniquely local. Together, they form a powerful network for genealogists, historians, and anyone curious about the people who came before us.
FamilySearch: Expanded Access Through RCGS
As a recognized Family Search Affiliate Library, RCGS offers on-site access to millions of additional digitized records that are normally restricted to on‑site viewing at FamilySearch Centers. This includes images of original documents—probate files, land records, vital records, court proceedings, and more—that are essential for breaking through research barriers. Whether you’re verifying a family line or exploring new branches, these expanded resources bring global archives directly to your workstation at the library.
American Ancestors: A Gateway to New England and Beyond
Through our paid access to American Ancestors, you can explore one of the nation’s premier collections of genealogical and historical materials. Maintained by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, this resource opens the door to early American records, curated databases, scholarly publications, and powerful research tools. It’s especially valuable for anyone with roots in New England, New York, or early colonial America—but its reach extends far beyond the Northeast.
RCGS Searchable Records: Over One Million Local Records
Previously known as Surname search, our RCGS Searchable Records are the heart of local research, offering more than one million indexed records drawn from Riley County and surrounding areas. This unique resource includes cemetery listings, newspaper abstracts, marriage records, obituaries, local histories, and other materials you won’t find anywhere else online. Whether you’re tracing a pioneer family or documenting a modern lineage, this database provides a direct connection to the people who shaped our community.
