History

Explore Your Local History!

Historical Newspaper Articles

Delve into the past through historical newspaper articles accessible via the Kansas Digital Newspapers program, courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society. Uncover fascinating stories and insights into Sedgwick County's heritage:

Early Registers of Deeds - Discover articles and endorsements chronicling the first elected Registers in Sedgwick County.

The Way We Were - Enjoy entertaining anecdotes and news items depicting early life in Sedgwick County and the Register of Deeds Office

Women in the Register of Deeds - Explore early references to Kansas women in Registers of Deeds offices

Working Out Our Democracy - Dive into articles and items addressing local government issues of yesteryear.

The Billy the Kid Connection - Learn about Catherine McCarty, Billy the Kid's mother, through information and recorded instruments in Sedgwick County.

The Sixth Principal Meridian - Delve into the 1855 instructions to the Surveyor General of Nebraska and Kansas, marking the starting point for all Kansas land surveys.

Discover Historical Resources Around the County:

- Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum: Visit for a journey through local history. Located at 204 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202. Contact 316-265-9314 for hours and information.

- Wichita Genealogical Society: Reach out for inquiries via mail at PO Box 3705, Wichita, KS 67201, or email info@wichitagensoc.org

 - Kansas Historical Society: Explore historical collections online and access the Kansas Digital Newspaper Program, featuring over 10 million historic newspaper pages. Visit at 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, or call 785-272-8681.

- Wichita Photos: View a vast collection of historic photographs online, provided by the Wichita Public Library, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, and Wichita State University Libraries’ Department of Special Collections.

- Wichita Public Library Local History: Visit the Advanced Learning Library at 711 W 2nd, Wichita, KS 67203, for a wealth of local history resources, including photographs, books, newspapers, maps, and more.

Explore Records at the Sedgwick County Register of Deeds:

- Downtown Location: 100 N Broadway, Ste 105, Wichita, KS 67202. Contact 316-660-9400.
 
- East Location: 5620 E Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67218. Contact 316-660-9400.

Access real estate transaction records dating back to 1870, with digital records available from 1969 onwards. Researchers require a party’s name and property location for inquiries.