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Special Collections

Burton Historical Collection



About the Collection

The Burton Historical Collection (BHC) of the Detroit Public Library began as the private library of Clarence Monroe Burton, a prominent attorney and Detroit historiographer. Mr. Burton’s original intention was to assemble a collection on the history of Detroit. Realizing that Detroit’s history was inextricably connected to that of Michigan and the Old Northwest, Canada and New France, he assembled a collection that is one of the most important private historical collections in the country.

Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday

No Appointment Needed: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

By Appointment Only: 12 p.m., 6 p.m.

Wednesday

No Appointment Needed: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

By Appointment Only: 12 p.m., 6 p.m.

Thursday

No Appointment Needed: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

By Appointment Only: 10 a.m., 12 p.m.

Friday

No Appointment Needed 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

By Appointment Only: 10 a.m., 12 p.m.

Saturday

No Appointment Needed: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

By Appointment Only: 10 a.m., 12 p.m.

Sunday

No Appointment Needed: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (October - May)

Discover the past

Explore Detroit history and your family roots at the Burton Historical Collection.

Our holdings include:

  • Books
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • Newspapers
  • Photographs
  • Family histories
  • Church records
  • Military records
  • Obituaries
  • Land records

Digital Collections

Looking for an image? Search the Digital Collections.

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Conducting Research

Burton Historical Collection

Resources

Databases

Ancestry Library Edition

U.S. genealogical database that includes Census Records, Birth, Marriage and Death Records, City Directories, and Military Records. This version of Ancestry Library Edition is free to the public inside any of our Detroit Public Library locations.

Only accessible from computers at Detroit Public Library locations. Access Now

Detroit Free Press (1831-1999)

Historical newspapers from the Detroit Free Press. *Library card required for remote access.*

Access Now

Digital Sanborn Maps

More than 660,000 digital maps charting the growth and development of over 12,000 American towns and cities, from 1867-1970.

Only accessible from computers at Detroit Public Library locations. Access Now

Michigan Chronicle (1936-2010)

The Chronicle is a weekly African American newspaper based in Detroit, Michigan. *Library card required for remote access.*

Only accessible from computers at Detroit Public Library locations. Access Now

Michigan Chronicle (2006-Present)

*Library card required for remote access.*

Only accessible from computers at Detroit Public Library locations. Access Now

MyHeritage Library Edition

Database to discover your family history, made available through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL).

Access Now

Read Michigan BiblioBoard

Free-to-read eBooks focused on Michigan and the Great Lakes region, most from Michigan's University Presses.

Access Now

Local Genealogical Societies