Library History

Current status (September 21, 2026): Open by appointment

1974 - Beginnings of a library

Donations from members started coming in almost immediately to form the basis of a future library. Donated materials were kept at the Muncy home at first and could be used on site by interested persons by appointment.

Collection highlights: Published genealogies; recent issues of New England Historical & Genealogical Register (1960 to date); Magazine of the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research (1964 to date)

1978 June 21 - Shared space at Washtenaw Community College Library

The library is located on the third floor of the Learning Resources Center Building in the WCC Library. Our collection is kept in a small locked reading room also housing the Professional Collection. The society retains ownership of all our books and materials, which may be used by the society, WCC students, and the general public.

Location: Third floor, Learning Resources Center Building, WCC Library
Where in building: Small locked reading room (also housing the Professional Collection)
Use: Materials may be used by the society, WCC students, and the general public
Ownership: The society retains ownership of all books and materials

1978 July 21 - Surname index cards project begins

In the June 1978 newsletter, members were reminded

Take a little time this summer to make out some of your surname index cards . . . Put your information on the 4" x 6" cards for the Society file. It will be transferred to 3" x 5" library cards which will be maintained in the combined file of all of the societies at the State Library.

1983 January 21 - Volunteer aides begin

Volunteer aides: Fridays, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Left of the Circulation Desk, second floor, Washtenaw Community College
Hours:
- Mon–Thu: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Fri: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Sat: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Sun: Closed

1984 October 1 - Shared space at LDS Library on Hill Street in Ann Arbor

Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ann Arbor University Ward, 914 Hill Street
Where in building: Basement, along with the LDS Branch Genealogical Library
Hours:
- Tue & Sat: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Wed: 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
- Thu: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Temporary move to Huron Towers

2002 February 1 to Huron Towers

Reason: Temporary move while an elevator was added at Hill Street
Location: Huron Towers Building B (across from the VA Hospital)
Address: Huron Towers, Suite 4-B, 2200 Fuller Court, Ann Arbor
Expected duration: Six months

2002 September 17 back to Hill Street

Moved back: Hill Street location reopened (following the temporary move to Huron Towers)

2004 June 1 - The move to Saline

The GSWC Library moved to the Ann Arbor Family History Center, 525 East Woodland Drive, Saline, Michigan in June 2004.

Dave Curtis (left) and Rob Steward (right) pack materials at Hill Street in 2004 as the library moved to Saline.

2020 March 12 - Covid pandemic closure

Closure context: Widespread shutdowns in Michigan
Meetings: March 22 cancelled; April and May held as webinars
Library status: GSWC library and the Family History Center in Saline closed until further notice

2022 January 4 - Donated books project

Context: 18 boxes of books from the estate of Nancy Krohn, who died in 2019, have been stored at the home of Rob and Cyndy Steward until such time they can be
- added to our library,
- donated to other organizations or
- offered for purchase.
Length of project: During the next few months the work of cataloging and sorting the books (over 300 titles), then shelving them in our library (65 books were added) or selling or donating them was completed.

2022 July 20 - The move into storage

Moved to: Temporary storage facility in Ann Arbor (not open to the public)
Access: Research Committee has access and can help with Washtenaw County research
Note: The library had reopened in April 2022 after pandemic closure

2025 January 14 - Visits by appointment begins

Status: The library is open to the public for in-person visits by appointment.