Presque Isle District Library -  Michigan History & Genealogical Brochure

Presque Isle District Library subscribes to Ancestry Library Edition and is available only at the five branch locations. 

MyHeritage Library Edition - Family history resource including more than 6 billion historical records from the United States, Europe, Latin America, and other regions. Includes the full USA federal census (1790-1940); census of England and Wales (1841-1901); U.S. World War II Army Enlistment as well as records of Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers.  Only available for Michigan residents.

Grand Lake library

Grand Lake has a growing collection of archival materials focused on the history of the Grand Lake area and Presque Isle Township.  These records include but are not limited to lighthouse station logs, PI Parks and Recreation meeting minutes, the ownership evolution of the Rockport, Stoneport, and LaFarge Quarries;   scrapbooks, photographs, and an extensive set of records and obituaries of former Township residents. The Local History area has a brand new reading and research area with computer access to genealogical research databases, as well as books and resource materials on Michigan and the Great Lakes.

Grand Lake Archives Collection Inventory

Onaway library

The Onaway Library has useful information for researchers within our  ‘Michigan Room’ which has a diverse collection regarding the “History of Onaway” including the steering wheel factory and books about our great state of Michigan.  The Steering Wheel Booklets are interesting reads regarding the history, culture, and events of local families of the Onaway area. 

There are archived newspapers to view online that date as far back as the late 1800s.  This includes The Presque Isle County Advance, The Onaway News, The Onaway Outlook, The Millersburg Tribune, The Tower Press, Forty Mile Point Lighthouse and the PI County Democrat.  There are also record books of the Presque Isle County Cemeteries. 

The newest addition to the reference section in both Onaway and Rogers City is a digital DVD version of the Onaway Yearbooks with both Middle and High School available from 1956 through 2020.

Rogers City library

The Rogers City Library houses a digital collection of archived newspapers including The Presque Isle County Advance, The Onaway News, Presque Isle County News from 1900-1913, as well as The Onaway Outlook and several bound volumes of more recent editions of The Presque Isle County Advance. This branch also includes several genealogical resources and family histories relevant to the area.

A Michigan Collection and Great Lakes Collection, including Presque Isle County information, are available to browse in Rogers City, with material  for checkout. Yearbooks from Rogers City High School are accessible digitally. 

Digitization is an ongoing project across the district in partnership with the Presque Isle Historical Museum thanks to a grant from LSTA, which includes The Calcite Screenings, Genealogy and family histories and many more materials. 

The newest addition to the reference section in both Onaway and Rogers City is a digital DVD version of the Onaway Yearbooks with Middle and High School available from 1956 through 2020. This project is ongoing for all of our branches. 

Michigan History Magazine - A popular history magazine geared toward professionals and enthusiasts alike, Michigan History offers a wide variety of subject matter, time frames, and perspectives while inspiring, educating, and entertaining its readers.