Offices and resource people in Rice County and its towns are happy to help you in supplying information you may find useful in your genealogical pursuits. There are a few things you should remember, however:
Rice County Clerk
101 W Commercial St
Lyons KS 67554
620-257-2232
Libraries
Geneseo Public Library
725 Main St
Geneseo KS 67649
620-824-6140
Little River Community Library
125 Main St
Little River KS 67457
620-897-6610
Lyons Public Library
217 East Avenue S
Lyons KS 67554
620-257-2961
Sterling Free Public Library
138 N Broadway
Sterling KS 67579
620-278-3191
Young Historical Library
201 Main St
Little River KS 67457
620-897-6236
Library/archives/museum
collections: local newspapers from 1886 - present, cemetery records,
genealogical material, and local history.
Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Friday, and by appointment.
Mid-Continent Public Library
Birth Records
As in the rest of Kansas, birth records after 1911 are located at the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Topeka, KS, 66620. A copy can be obtained by filling out an Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate. It is suggested you call the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 913 862-9360 to find out costs. Some birth records prior to 1911 are available from the Lyons City Clerk who has a county-wide book of births from about 1890 to 1911. Some older records from the City of Sterling are also available from the Lyons City Clerk, 217 East Ave. South, Lyons, KS, 67554, 620 257-2320.
Marriage Records
Rice County Marriage Records beginning Jan.1, 1872, are available from the Clerk of the District Court, Rice Co. Courthouse, Lyons, KS 67554 by mail request only. Marriage records are usually a single sheet and there is a charge of $1.00 per record requested. Each request should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope capable of holding the number of records requested. Please be certain postage is adequate.
Death Records
After 1911, death records were filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Topeka. However, the Rice County Registrar of Deeds has some recorded copies of death certificates filed after 1911.
Cemetery Records
Land Records
The Rice County Registrar of Deeds office in the Rice County Courthouse has cemetery plot records IF a deed was recorded, land and school records (prior to district consolidation in the 1960's) dating back to 1872. Approximately ten years of school records from the late 1800's to about 1900 are lost. They can locate these records by name and, while they do not do "research", they can do some searching. It is best to have the FULL NAME of the person for whom you are seeking records. Your requests should be as specific as possible and include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The fee is $1.00 for the first page of each instrument you have requested and .25 for each additional page.
Funeral Homes
Sillin Funeral Home
214 West Ave
Lyons KS 67554
620-257-2211
Sillin Funeral Home
203 N 7th St
Sterling KS 67579
620-278-3531
Heritage
Funeral Home
620-662-6720
Penwell-Gabel
Funeral Home & Crematory-Hutchinson Chapel
300 E 30th Ave
620-662-1201
Newpapers
Lyons
Daily News
620-257-2368
620-257-2496
Bee
The Inc.
620-662-2202
Chambers of Commerce
Lyons Chamber
of Commerce
116 East Ave S
Lyons KS 67554
620-257-2842
Sterling Chamber of Commerce
112 S Broadway
Sterling KS 67579
620-278-3360
Museums
These museums do not specifically mention that they have genealogical material but they may have access to materials of interest.
CORONADO-QUIVIRA
MUSEUM of the Rice County Historical Society
105 West Lyon
Lyons KS 67554
620-257-3941
Library/archives/museum collections: History
of Coronado, Native Americans, local trade, and Rice County.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday
1 p.m. -
5 p.m., Sunday.
Many genealogical requests can be handled through the Coronado-Quivira Musuem in Lyons, the museum of the Rice County Historical Society. Staff experienced in handling such requests are available and much work has already been done on some families and is available to other requesters. The museum has copies of many records including old marriage records, affidavits, etc.
The museum also has a list of Rice County cemeteries from 1800 to the present with a special booklet for the Sterling and Little River cemeteries as well as some county newspapers from the early 1900s and some in the late 1800s.
AT & SF Depot
PO Box 158
Alden KS 67512
620-534-2425
Library/archives/museum collections: railroad
items in a ca. 1872 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad building.
Hours: by appointment.
Geneseo City History Museum
708 10th
Route 2
Geneseo KS 67444
Museum, 907 Silver Avenue
620-824-6250
Library/archives/museum collections: local
history, book about Geneseo, and photographs.
Hours: by appointment.
Bushton Museum
218 S Main
Bushton KS 67427
620-562-3411
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