Research Services
Research at the Museum
The Baraga County Historical Museum provides access to a wide range of historical records, archives, and collections for those interested in researching local history, genealogy, and community records. Research is conducted on site by appointment, with access to materials and guidance from museum volunteers.
To access the museum’s archives and collections, please contact us to schedule a research appointment.
Available Records
The museum maintains a variety of historical records and materials related to Baraga County, including:
- Indexes of births, marriages, and deaths recorded by the Baraga County Clerk from 1875 through the early 1970s
- Archival materials, photographs, and local history collections
- Early county records and documents
- Business and industry records from the region
For records prior to 1875, birth, marriage, and death information was recorded in Houghton County.
Special Collections
The museum also holds several unique collections of interest to researchers.
The Strieter scrapbook contains photographs and newspaper clippings documenting babies born at a maternity home in L’Anse. Due to its condition, this collection is not available for public handling, but museum volunteers may assist with limited lookups.
Additional materials include business ledgers from 19th century entrepreneur Captain James Bendry, early 20th century county poll books, and records from regional logging operations such as Sirard Logging.
What to Expect
Research visits take place at the museum and provide access to available records and materials. While volunteers may be present to assist with locating items, researchers should plan to conduct their own review and documentation.
Due to the nature of historical records, some gaps may exist, particularly in early birth and death records that were not consistently recorded.
Request Research Appointment
Please fill out the form below to request a Research Appointment.
Explore the Digital Archive
Looking to explore Baraga County’s history from home? Our digital photo archive is available on this website and free to browse. Discover over 500 historic images from communities across the county, organized by location and time period.