Newspapers and Indexes
Tools to find the information you needInformation Files
Biography and Portrait Files
Hundreds of files on West Michigan people.
Subject Files
A wealth of information on hundreds of local subjects.
Grand Rapids Homes and Architects
Index to articles and ephemera from over 2,800 houses and buildings
Carl Bajema Subject Index
Newspaper articles covering various topics from the 19th and 20th centuries, compiled by Carl Bajema.
Photograph Indexes*
Photograph index – people
A name index to photographs.
Photograph index – subjects
A subject index to photographs.
Robinson Studio Herald photos
Index to Robinson photos taken for the Grand Rapids Herald.
*Additional photographs can be located through our finding aids.
Map Indexes
City Plat Map Index
An index to the plat maps in Collection 240.
Master Map Index
Maps held in the archives, including Collection 240.
Digitized Newspapers
Grand Rapids Herald digitized (1894-1916)
Full microfilm copies of the publication are also available for viewing.
Grand Rapids Labor Newspaper Collection (1955-2015)
Search or browse our digitized collection of local labor newspapers.
The Morning Press (September 1890- December 1892)
Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Only available at the Main Library.
The Semi-Weekly Press (September 1858 – May 1859)
Available courtesy of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Only available at the Main Library
Indexes to Grand Rapids Newspapers and Magazines
| Name | Date Range | Description |
| African American Bajema clippings | 1830-1935 | Newspaper clippings relating to African Americans in West Michigan |
| Women’s history Bajema clippings | 1840s-1930s | Newspaper clippings relating to women in West Michigan |
| Grand Rapids Enquirer index | 1841-1844 | Weekly newspaper beginning May 1841; became The Daily Enquirer in 1855 |
| Civil War Index | 1858-1943 | Index to Civil War-related articles in local newspapers |
| Furniture and Business Periodical index | 1883-1949 | Indexes the Michigan Tradesman, Furniture Manufacturer/Artisan, Grand Rapids Furniture Record and Michigan Artisan |
| Lyden’s File Index | 1880s-1956 | Selected articles from local newspapers, mostly the Grand Rapids Press. |
| Arab American/Syrian clipping index | 1905-1951 | Articles relating to the Arab American/Syrian community in Grand Rapids |
| Grandville Avenue Record | 1911-1918 | Neighborhood newspaper |
| Peninsular Club Magazine index | 1934-1971 | Monthly magazine for members of the Peninsular Club |
| Urban Renewal index | 1946-1975 | Articles relating to development in downtown Grand Rapids |
| Grand Rapids Magazine index | 1964-1996 | Articles center on newsworthy events in the Greater Grand Rapids area |
| Grand Rapids Press index | 1982-2005 | Select indexing of keywords, topics, and names |
Web Resources
The Detroit News Index
Offered through the Archives of Michigan.
Digital Public Library of America
Search primary resources from across the country
Grand Rapids Press Index (1893-2000s)
An historical archive available through NewsBank (subscription required for full access)
Lowell Ledger
Browse or search KDL’s digital archive of The Lowell Ledger from 1870–2013.
The Michigan Tradesman
A weekly newspaper covering business news in Grand Rapids and beyond from 1883–1906 (provided by the Michigan State University Libraries).
Michigan Digital Newspaper Portal
Links to digitized newspapers from across Michigan.
Michigan Business Entity Search
Search for records of companies registered to do business in the State of Michigan.
Michigan County Histories and Atlases
Search over 400 digitized volumes, all published before 1923.
WMGS Databases
Thousands of local records including obituaries, marriages, funeral records, and more.