The Adair County Geneology and History Center, operated by the Adair County Public Library, offers a wealth of knowledge through books, online resources, and the expertise of staff.
A new building was constructed specifically to house the center in April 2021. The center focuses mainly on preserving and providing access to local Adair County history but also includes some surrounding counties and state records as well.
The Ancestry website is free for users on site to search for relatives and history. While this version does not allow individuals to build their family tree online, there are worksheets available to do so.
“Ancestry is the elite research for genealogy,” said Jessee. The monthly subscription for individuals to the website ranges from $24-$60 per month depending on the type of plan. “It has gotten quite expensive…we are saving you a lot of money.” Said Jessee.
Heritage Quest and Heritage Hub are also free websites that can be accessed off site with your library card that contain many resources. Heritage Quest offers access to census records, revolutionary war pension files, Freedman’s bank records and other historical documents. Heritage Hub is an obituary site that provides access to hundreds of years of death records.
The center is staffed by genealogists who are willing to help with whatever the project may be. Mike Watson is well versed in Adair County history and is well known for his local cemetery tours each month.
Ernestine Bennett is the longest genealogy employee at the center. Annita Dial is an expert in the Daughters of the Revolutionary war. Serena Corbin is the newest member of the team.
The Adair County Genealogical Society meets the first Monday night of each month at 5 p.m. at the center. During the annual Downtown Days festival in October, the society sponsors a photo contest and holds a homecoming of genealogists and historians.
The Genealogy and History Center is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - noon. For more information, contact the center at 270-380-1024.
