Tell Me a Story: MGC Oral and Written History Projects
Oral History Project
Oral history is an important part of genealogical research. It is connecting with family still living to discover stories and to flesh out the character of those who have gone before us. In September 2010, Mid-Continent Public Library brought StoryCorps to Kansas City for a month to record stories of residents of the Kansas City metro area. StoryCorps is a national initiative to record and preserve the living history of the United States. Tell Me a Story is a Mid-Continent Public Library initiative to provide the continuing ability to record and preserve the memories, stories, and living history of residents in the metro area.
Tell Me a Story is a recorded conversation between two people who know each other. During that time, a segment of one person’s life or a shared memory is recorded, archived, and shared on the Midwest Genealogy Center’s website. No cost is associated with this initiative, but donations are gladly accepted.
Click on project titles to browse and listen to individual project interviews.
Drumm Farm Alumni Reunion 2012
Some of the "Drumm Farm boys" and their stories of growing up at "The Farm" in Independence, Missouri in the 1940s-1950s.
African-American Bowlers and Segregation
Stories of those athletes of yesteryear who bowled in substandard bowling alleys, who were not allowed to compete in certain cities, and even some who had to stay in private homes because they were not allowed to lodge in motels.
Edgerton, Missouri Pioneer Days 2011
Long-time Edgerton, Missouri residents share stories of growing up in small-town Edgerton, Missouri in the 1900s.
Forty Years of Monday Night Football
A group of men get together for every Monday Night Football game and have for forty years now; Hear their stories of friendship and camaraderie through the years.
Additional "Tell Me A Story" Recordings
Short stories recorded by MGC Staff
Bi-Folkal Kits
Need some help getting the conversations started on your oral history? Need a program jump-start for your senior center, retirement community, assisted-living center, day care or nursing home facility? Check this listing of our Bi-Folkal kits which have two focuses--Remembering and Sharing. Everything you need is in the bag; multi-media, multi-sensory resources focus on one broad universal theme--decades, seasons, work, pets and more. Simply choose your kit and check it out with your Mid-Continent Public Library card.
Written History Project
Build Your Life Story is a six-week class conducted throughout the year to assist in the writing of life stories. Check the Events calendar for the next scheduled series and sign up now! Below are some of the stories, with permission granted from the authors, that have come from that class.
Life Changing Question by Charlotte McIntosh
Danny, Me and Sweet Revenge by Margie Friel
Grandma's Lead Pencil by Darleen Swails
