Events | Local History Resources | Bloomfield Historical Society | Genealogy Resources
Bloomfield Township Public Library’s History Collection encompasses three areas of research: Local History, Genealogy, and the Local History Archive.
The goal of this collection is to “build, maintain, and provide access to an extensive collection of local history materials emphasizing the Bloomfield area including the Charter Township of Bloomfield and the City of Bloomfield Hills, with additional materials that pertain to surrounding communities, Oakland County and Michigan, as relevant” (from the Library’s Collection Selection & Development Guidelines).
The Library acquires materials for this collection through both purchase and donation, often in concert with the Bloomfield Historical Society, with a focus on printed or handwritten materials; objects and artifacts are not generally accepted for the collection.
The Library is actively collecting items such as yearbooks, city directories, photographs, printed ephemera (menus, advertisements, postcards) and unique local publications like newsletters. If you have an item that you’d like to donate to the History Collection, please call the Library and ask to speak with a staff member in the Adult and Teen Services Department or reach out via Contact Us.
The collection is available for research when the Library is open. Items on the shelves circulate unless they are marked Reference; Archive items may only be used in the Library under the supervision of a staff member.
Events
Local History Resources
- Archives of Michigan – Searchable records from the state’s digital collection.
- Bentley Historical Library at University of Michigan – A collection of materials about the State of Michigan and the University of Michigan. Many resources are available online. The library is also open without fee to the public.
- Birmingham Museum – Located at 556 W. Maple Rd., the museum preserves documents and artifacts that record local history. Staff are available for public inquiries and research questions; contact information is on the website.
- Burton Historical Collection at Detroit Public Library – A broad collection of books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, photos, family histories, church records, military records, obituaries, and land records recording Detroit’s and Michigan’s past.
- Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society – Online exhibits and galleries chronicle the history of the area.
- Michiganology – Traces Michigan history through articles written by historians, educators, and archivists at the Michigan History Center.
- Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds: Property & Land Records – Public records of all land situated in Oakland County.
- Oakland County Historical Society – Founded in 1874, the member-supported nonprofit maintains a historical campus in Pontiac consisting of the Governor Moses Wisner homestead, the Drayton Plains One Room School, the Pioneer Museum, and the Research Library and Archives. Images of historical maps are available on the website.
- Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University – The largest labor archives in North America. The digital archive includes documents and images. The library is open to the public without fee.
Bloomfield Historical Society
The Bloomfield Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of the Bloomfield area. Through programs, publications, and community partnerships — including collaboration with the Bloomfield Township Public Library — they help keep our local stories alive.
Genealogy Resources
Unless marked as “in-library use only,” resources may be accessed remotely using your Bloomfield Township Public Library number, on the back of your card.
- Ancestry Library Edition – Searchable database of census, immigration, birth, marriage, death, and military records. In-library use only. (Remote access is by individual paid subscription.)
- FamilySearch – Searchable database of census, immigration, birth, marriage, death, military records, and family trees. A project of the Church of Latter-day Saints, in collaboration with more than 10,000 organizations in 100+ countries. Access is free, but registration is required.
- Find a Grave – Searchable database of burial and other final disposition information. The resource is community-sourced and now includes 265 million memorials.
- Fold3 – Millions of searchable military records and collections of personal documents and photos of the men and women who served. Includes records from the U.S. National Archives, The National Archives of the U.K., and international records. In-library use only.
- MyHeritage – Billions of searchable historical documents from 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes, and additional resources that span the past five centuries. Available remotely and in 42 languages.
- Newspaper Databases – The archives of the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, Birmingham Eccentric, Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle, the Michigan Collection of community newspapers, and major national dailies like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Local Genealogy Resources
- Bloomfield Hills Michigan FamilySearch Center – Staff are available to assist with family records research. The center is located in the LDS Church, 37425 Woodward Avenue. Hours are listed on the landing page.
- Detroit Society for Genealogical Research – Founded in 1936, this nonprofit organization preserves the records of Detroit residents and their ancestors, and assists the Burton Historical Collection and Detroit Public Library. To access records, membership is required and is open to anyone interested in genealogy, history, or biography — either amateur or professional.
- Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds: Vital Records – The county clerk’s office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Oakland County, and provides qualified applicants with certified copies. The office also offers a Genealogy Research Service.