History: Regional & Local Subject Guide
Regional Photographs
The Ward Morgan Collection includes photographs depicting life and culture in a Midwestern community through the mid-twentieth century. The 26,000 images include streetscapes, images of commerce, as well as studio views of products and people. See a selection of the photography collection.
http://digitalcollections-wmich.cdmhost.com/
Databases and Indexes
RHistory
RHistory is the finding aid for the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections. These materials are located at the Archives and Regional History Collections, 111 East Hall. Use RHistory to identify regional history manuscripts. RHistory includes information about diaries, letters, business records, oral histories, and governmental records from southwestern Michigan. More detailed finding aids exist for many of these collections. Consult the Archives and Regional History Collections web page for additional information.
Kalamazoo Gazette Index Only local news is indexed. The Kalamazoo Public Library has an online index for the Gazette as a part of its catalog. Indexed by subjects and personal names since 1972. A few things have been indexed from older issues. You may need to pull the drop-down menu to Local Indexes and Community Information before searching.
Michigan County Histories
The Michigan County Histories collection is a collaborative effort of Michigan's Council of Library Directors. The collection is projected to provide access to 192 histories dating from 1866 to 1926. There are 195 volumes in 164 titles currently online.
Sanborn Maps 1867-1970 Maps of 300 Michigan towns and cities drawn at a scale of 50 feet to the inch, including street blocks and building numbers. Microfilms from all 50 states are available through Interlibrary Loan from Center for Research Libraries.
Land Patent Research
Land patents document the transfer of land ownership from the federal government to individuals. Patents may be searched by name or property description. This database is free.
General Land Office Platts for Michigan
General Land Office (GLO) plat maps are derived from original surveyor notes of the State of Michigan. The survey was conducted in the early to mid 1800's. All documents pertaining to the original survey of Michigan can be found in the State Archives of Michigan.
Library of Congress Panoramic Map Collection
The panoramic map was a popular cartographic form used to depict U.S. and Canadian cities and towns during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Known also as bird's-eye views, perspective maps, and aero views, panoramic maps are nonphotographic representations of cities portrayed as if viewed from above at an oblique angle. Although not generally drawn to scale, they show street patterns, individual buildings, and major landscape features in perspective. This collection may be searched by city name.
Historical Census Browser The data presented here describe the population and economy of U.S. states and counties from 1790 to 1960. The available data differ somewhat from decade to decade, according to what was collected in the census and the items chosen for transcription to electronic form.
Michigan-Related Sites
History of the Campus This history of the Western Michigan University campus presents information and pictures of the growth and development of the physical campus. This includes a building timeline from 1903, campus maps from 1924 to the present, historical master plans, enrollment changes, facts, trivia, and more.
Michigan in the Civil War Provides information on the role of Michigan in the U.S. Civil War, compiled by Donald L. Harvey. Discusses Michigan's regiments, offers regimental rosters, photographs of soldiers, battle flags, and links to other Civil War Web sites.
Organizations
Michigan Oral History Association
Association for State and Local History
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association
Historical Society of Michigan
Michigan Archival Association
Site contains information about Michigan's premier archival organization.
Minority and Ethnic Groups
Museum of African American History Found in Detroit, Michigan, this museum is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of African and African American history and culture.
Women's Studies
Michigan Women's Historical Center
Sites for K-12 Educator
Social Studies History Themes Project The History Themes Project is an effort to create for Michigan teachers and students a reasonable and valid selection of important events, people, and ideas for United States History.
Ask A Librarian
Sharon Carlson
sharon.carlson@wmich.edu
269-387-8496
Last updated: August 2008