Interest: Genealogy & Local History
“Through Darkness to Light” exhibit on display Sept. 1 – Oct. 20
Published: August 29, 2024
From September 1-October 20, an exhibit featuring photography related to the Underground Railroad will be on display at YDL-Whittaker.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 25: The Parkridge Community Center and the Fight for Racial Equality
Published: August 28, 2024
Episode 25 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 24: Undertaking the Subject of Death in 19th Century Ypsilanti
Published: June 7, 2024
Episode 24 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 23: The Ypsi Farmers & Gardeners Oral History Project
Published: May 6, 2024
Episode 23 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 22: President Roosevelt visits the Willow Run Bomber Plant
Published: March 7, 2024
Episode 22 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Growing the YDL Oral History Collections
Published: December 15, 2023
Passionate and influential local food growers are recording their stories in the Ypsilanti District Library’s oral history archives.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 21: On the State of Medicine in 19th Century Ypsilanti
Published: October 20, 2023
Episode 21 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 20: Fighting for LGBTQ Rights in Ypsilanti: A Double Retrospective
Published: July 26, 2023
Episode 20 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
YDL will host a screening of Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale in July
Published: June 16, 2023
YDL is glad to announce that we’ll be hosting a screening of Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale. On Saturday, July 8 at 2pm, visit the Superior branch to watch this incredible documentary narrated by Martha Reeves.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 19: Shadow Art Fair – Ypsilanti’s Interactive Art Experience
Published: May 19, 2023
Episode 19 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Jean Winborn to be featured on “Finding Your Roots – Family Sagas of Pride and Perseverance”
Published: March 17, 2023
Join Detroit Public TV and PBS Books Wednesday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET, for a fascinating look at new techniques for unravelling the mysteries of African American genealogy, including a conversation with YDL’s very own Jean Winborn!
Post
Sign up for a One-on-One Genealogy Session with Jean Winborn
Published: January 17, 2023
Sign up for a one-on-one genealogy session with Jean Winborn, co-founder of Washtenaw County African-American Genealogy Society. These sessions will take place on February 1, 8, 16, and 22. Please only sign up for 1 session, as spots are limited. Search for information about your African American ancestors or learn more about the human side of America’s slaveholding past. Look at various records, as well as migration patterns and laws specific to race. Session 1 (Feb. 1) Session 2 (Feb. 8) Session 3 (Feb. 16) Session 4 (Feb. 22)
Post
Michigan Avenue Branch Turns 60!
Published: December 9, 2022
The library in Ypsilanti was founded over 150 years ago. For nearly half that time, the Michigan Avenue building has been part of its fabric.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 18: More Buses for Ypsilanti
Published: December 5, 2022
Episode 18 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Explore the A.P. Marshall African American History Archive
Published: July 15, 2022
Have you checked out the A.P. Marshall African American Oral History Archive?
Post
1950 U.S. Census records now available
Published: April 7, 2022
Genealogists rejoice! On April 1, the United States National Archives released the 1950 Census records, 72 years after it was conducted, as required by U.S. law. The following website has been set up with access to all the records, plus additional resources: https://1950census.archives.gov/ For those looking for a bit more assistance with navigating the new records, the National Archives has a series of presentations through May. The videos and slides are also available after the presentation date to refer back to. Find all the information here.
Post
Online Access to the Veterans History Project
Published: February 8, 2022
The Veterans History Project, part of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center, collects oral histories of American veterans, including those from Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County. Now, thanks to Eastern Michigan University, the Washtenaw County veteran interviews have been digitized and collected in an online archive. The digital archive contains interviews with veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the homefront, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Check out the archive here!
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 16: Red Lines and Racial Covenants: A Brief History of Housing Segregation in Ypsilanti and Beyond
Published: February 2, 2022
Episode 16 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 15: Tracing your Ancestral Path with the Washtenaw County African American Genealogy Society
Published: January 19, 2022
Episode 15 of Ypsi Stories.
Post
Ypsi Stories Episode 14: Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti’s 100 years
Published: December 2, 2021
Episode 14 of Ypsi Stories.
Post