Travelers who've caught the genealogy bug may want to make plans for a trip to Independence, Mo. The new $8 million Midwest Genealogy Center opens May 11 and houses microfilm and microfiche with Civil War histories, American Indian records, black family history records, passenger lists, plantation records and more.

Classes will be offered, as will consultation with foreign-language experts. And if you're really wrapped up in research, there's a break room, lockers and "limited" food service. More: www.midwestgenealogycenter.org

Other resources in Independence include the Jackson County Genealogical Society Research Library, the Merrill J. Mattes Research Library at the National Frontier Trails Museum, and a Family History Center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Independence was the home of President Harry S. Truman and has several Truman sites.

More: www.visitindependence.com