Archives

Interested in researching Leelanau history or genealogy? You can begin by accessing our database through the button below named “Research Online Catalog.” Explore our other online resources below

***In-person research in the archives is by appointment only during our open hours. Request an appointment at archives@leelanauhistory.org

Leelanau Historical Society Archives

Staff and volunteers have worked for several years to record the museum’s archives and collections in a digital format. Currently, 60 years of donated objects, documents and photographs, more than 14,000 items, are entered into the PastPerfect museum database. Additions to the database and revisions will continue with uploads to the online catalog each month.

Research Online Catalog

The Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation supporting grants, the Viskochil Family and the annual Golfathon donors have made the digital database project and online research tool possible for all to enjoy.

Digital Michigan Newspaper Portal

Keyword search 11 different Leelanau County papers spanning from 1875-1997.

The Newspaper Titles & Dates:

Empire Enterprise — Empire — 27 July 1922 – 31 August 1922
Empire Journal — Empire — 13 March 1902 – 20 February 1919
Empire Leader — Empire — 26 May 1899 – 30 November 1899
Leelanau County Times — Suttons Bay — 6 March 1947 – 14 April 1949
Leelanau Enterprise — Northport, Leland — 1 January 1880 – 25 December 1997
Leelanau Leader — Empire — 21 December 1894 – 10 July 1896
Northport Leader — Northport — 2 January 1930 – 1 July 1976
Northport Tribune — Northport — 8 October 1942 – 2 March 1950
Provemont Courier — Provemont — 22 October 1915 – 10 March 1921
Suttons Bay Courier — Suttons Bay — 24 March 1921 – 24 November 1960
Grand Traverse Herald — Traverse City — 3 November 1858 – 27 October 1910

This easy to use resource is free to the public thanks to the generosity of Leelanau Historical Society members and donors who funded. This accomplishment has been the dedicated effort of the Society since 2017.

Research Digital Newspapers

***Still in the project cue is the digitization of the Grand Traverse Herald 1858-1910, a Traverse City based paper that covered many early Leelanau happenings and predated the Leelanau Enterprise.

Oral Histories

The Leelanau Voices Oral History Collection contains over 250 interviews. Thanks to an anonymous donor the collection was digitized in 2019. The interviews can be requested by calling or emailing the society, archives@leelanauhistory.org.
Click on the button above for a full inventory of digital Oral Histories.

Oral History Inventory

A few samples from the oral history collection: