Notification #1

Main Library and branches will be closed Monday, September 6th to observe Labor Day.

Notification #2

Main Library will re-open to the public with limited service on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021
Search Menu
Special Collections

Burton Historical Collection

*Due to flooding and the required clean-up, this service along with other Main Library services will be temporarily unavailable until after Labor Day.*

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 Temporarily Closed
WednesdayTemporarily Closed
ThursdayTemporarily Closed
FridayTemporarily Closed
SaturdayTemporarily Closed
SundayClosed

Contact Us

Burton Historical Collection
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
bhc@detroitpubliclibrary.org

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.

Go

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. Remote access has been extended to December 31, 2021. 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

Ancestry Library Edition (Remote Access)

U.S. genealogical database that includes Census Records, Birth, Marriage and Death Records, City Directories and Military Records. Remote access has been extended to December 31, 2021

Library Card required.
Access Now

Detroit Free Press (1831-1999)

Historical newspapers from the Detroit Free Press

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

MyHeritage Library Edition

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

Access Now

Michigan Chronicle (1936-2010)

The Chronicle is a weekly African American newspaper based in Detroit, Michigan.

Access Now

Detroit News (1873-1999)

The Library of Michigan is making its Detroit News (1873-1999) database available to all Michigan residents with a Library of Michigan library card.

Access Now

Local Genealogical Societies

Stay Connected

Sign up for email updates from DPL

Close Search
Where would you like to search?

Search the Catalog for “”

Press ENTER to Search or ESC to close.

Try searching for things like...

Books & Media

  • Chasing Light
  • Wonder Woman
  • Doc McStuffins
  • Wes Anderson
  • Leon Bridges

Authors & Artists

  • G. K. Chesterton
  • Harper Lee
  • J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Thelonious Monk
  • Bon Iver
Close Navigation