About Discover
Each collection features a unique aspect of Michigan’s history. Click the “About” link next to each collection to see blog entries related to the collection and featured collection items. Click the “View Collection” link to see all items in the collection.
Featured Items
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Civil War Manuscripts
The Civil War Manuscripts collection consists of letters and diaries from the Civil War period (1861-1865). The letters and diaries document Michigan soldiers' experiences while serving the Union in various units. Most of the collection consists of personal narratives with a few official records concerning the war and later pensions.
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Civil War Service Records
The records document the history of Michigan soldiers in the form of muster rolls, letters, lists of dead, monthly returns and other materials sent to the state Adjutant General during the war. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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Death Records, 1897-1920
This Library of Michigan collection of Michigan death certificates features nearly 1 million records. This statewide collection offers researchers critical information in tracking Michigan ancestors during this time period. Information includes the decedent's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplace, cemetery name and location, and much more.
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Civil War Photographs
The Archives of Michigan has close to 1,400 Civil War photographs in its collections. The majority of the images are carte de visite's of soldiers taking during their time of service during Civil War (1861-1865). Also included are reproductions of sheet music, broadsides and some group photographs all dating from the 1860s. Information includes soldier's name and description of service.
More Collections
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Early Photography
The Early Photography Collection is comprised of over 200 nineteenth century cased images. These include formats such as daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes. The collection is of both identified and unidentified individuals, including women, children, and some identified Civil War soldier images.
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Music of Michigan
The Library of Michigan’s sheet music collection contains more than 400 pieces of music written by Michigan composers and/or issued by Michigan music publishers.
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Architecture
The Architecture Collection contains the architectural drawing of the Ransom Eli Olds Mansion in Lansing, Michigan. Upcoming additions to this collection include the drawings from the Barnes Mansion (also in Lansing) and drawings of lighthouses throughout the state.
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WPA Property Inventories
Between c1936 and 1942, the Works Progress Administration collected data about land and buildings throughout rural Michigan. These documents contain information describing the land, buildings and surrounding area. Records are arranged alphabetically by name of township, then numerically by section number.
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Maps
The online map collection contains a sampling of the thousands of maps housed at the Archives of Michigan. Currently, the digital collection includes early survey maps, county maps, and railroad maps. All date from 1841-c1900 and depict various areas of Michigan.
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Lighthouses and Life-Saving Stations
Michigan has over 120 lighthouses and life-saving stations, more than any other state. This is a collection of photographs and postcards of these Great Lakes sentinels. The images date from 1852 to 1980 with the majority taken between 1910 and 1950.
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Oral Histories
The Archives of Michigan offers these recorded interviews with Michigan citizens. By sharing their memories, these individuals enlighten our understanding of the past and often bridge gaps in the written historical record.
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Main Streets
The Main Streets collection depicts street scenes from various towns and cities throughout Michigan. Images of lakes, city parks, buildings, hotels, and nature scenes are also included in the collection. The dates range from the 1850s through the 1980s.
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Governors of Michigan
A useful collection of Michigan's forty-four past governors. Subjects range from Stephens T. Mason (1835-1840), the first governor of Michigan through John Engler (1991-2002), the forty-fourth. Entries include personal information, party affiliation, residence, and location of manuscript materials.
