The Local History and Genealogy Collection
at the Northville District Library
The Northville Genealogical Society has donated many books and research documents to the Library. These and other research materials are available for circulation and reference in the Local History Room. Reference books may not be checked out of the library. Below is a little tour of what you will find there:
Databases on Local History Computers
These Local Databases are also online and may be accessed from home.
- The Northville Record - Search and view issues from 1869 - 2013.
- Northville Record Index - Search by name or subject for articles published from 1869 to 1924.
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Master Index to Local History Documents - Search more than 100 printed sources for information.
- The Detroit Free Press - Search and view issues from 1831 - 1922.
- Search Northville High School's Yearbook, The Palladium - 1921 to present.
- Voices of Northville - Read or listen to interviews of more than 100 long-time residents from the 1980s.
The Northville Record on Microfilm
The entire run of The Northville Record from its first publication in 1869 to the present is available on microfilm. Indexes have been compiled up to 1924.
The most recent microfilm is usually about three months prior to the current issue. For the latest issues,
see the print copies which the library keeps, for the last six months, on the main level.
GENEALOGY RESOURCES
Ancestry Plus via the internet
This online database contains a huge array of resources and records, including U.S. Census information from 1790 through 1940 and Passenger Immigration Lists to name a few. It is accessible on the computers in the Local History Room and elsewhere in the library.
Heritage Quest via the internet
This database is located in Online Resources A to Z and is available remotely from your home using your library card.
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ProQuest's Genealogy & Local History Collection has 25,000+ family and local history books, every word searchable.
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Complete U.S. Federal Census, 1790-1940
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City Directories
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1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules
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U. S. Indian Census Rolls
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Mortality Schedules
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Agricultural and Industrial Schedules
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1890 Veterans' Census
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PERSI™ - The PERiodical Source Index is a comprehensive subject index covering more than 6,500 genealogy and local history periodicals written in English and French (Canada) since 1800.
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Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.
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Freedman's Bank Records. At the close of the Civil War, the Freedman's Savings & Trust Company was the primary bank for America's freed slaves and others from 1865-1874. This HeritageQuest collection documents more than 70,000 bank depositors and nearly 480,000 of their dependants and heirs.
It is considered one of the most important resources for African-American genealogical research.
Genealogy Directories, Dictionaries, and Guides
The Local History Room contains a collection of print resources.
Check out a video guide to learn how to make a family tree. These can be checked out for seven days, and renewed if necessary.
Copies
A copier is located near the elevator on the lower level. Copies are 10 cents per page.
The Local History Room is supported by gifts from Dr. Herbert Weston and family, Friends of the Northville District Library, and Northville Genealogical Society.