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Hastings Public Library

Genealogy and History Research

Overview

Go to the Michigan Room page for general information about the room. See below for resources.

Barry County History Portal

This is where all local history focused digital content is made available to the general public. Content includes digital copies of the Hastings Banner, Nashville News,Plat maps, and other local history material.

Barry County History Portal Logo

Genealogy

Ancestry Library Edition was discontinued at HPL effective July 1, 2023. MyHeritage is still offered and can be accessed remotely.

myHeritage Logo

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.

Family Search Logo

FamilySearch.org is a non-profit service sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here anyone can get assistance in finding their ancestors and preserving their family histories. For over 100 years the Church has been actively gathering and preserving genealogical records worldwide thus making it possible to provide this service today.

Genealogy.org Logo

Genealogy Search Online. Free Family Tree Searches. 26,000 Genealogy Databases. Discover Your Family History and Build Your Family Tree.

Genealogy Research Request

To get assistance with local genealogy research, please fill out the Genealogy Research Request.

Local History

The Michigan Room houses many resources for local history research including:

  • Cemetery Records
  • Plat Books
  • High School Yearbooks
  • Newspapers (physical and microfilm back to the mid-1800s)
  • Historical documents and records

All materials must stay in the library but patrons are free to make photocopies or save images to portable USB drives when possible.

To submit a Local History Research Request, please fill out the Local History Research Request Form.

Newspapers

HPL has a large collection of local newspapers dating back to the mid-1800s. Papers are available as PDF or hardcopy as indicated below. Microfilm is no longer publicly available now that PDF files exist.

The newspaper collection currently contains:

  Online Hard Copy
Hastings Banner 1856-2022
Hastings Herald Journal 1896, 1904-1905, 1913
Lakewood News 1997-present
Maple Valley News 1967-1969 1976-1980; 1985-present
Middleville Sun & News 1981 - 2022
Nashville News 1873-1966
Penasee Globe 1989-2009
The Reminder 1981-present

In early 2022 the Library kicked off a project to digitize all Hastings Banners and several other local newspapers. Stay tuned for progress updates and availability.

Online Resources

Barry County

Hastings

Michigan

Civil War

General Genealogy

General United States

Filed under: local history, genealogy
Window Project Updates

Latest News:

3/4/24: The windows are done! Final details are being wrapped up, including interior building cleaning.

Location & Hours

Main Branch
Hastings Public Library
227 E. State St., Hastings, MI 49058

Library image
Phone: 269-945-4263
Fax: 269-948-3874

Library & Drive-thru Hours:

  • Monday - Thursday: 9am - 8pm
  • Friday: 9am - 6pm
  • Saturday: 9am - 3pm

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