The Downriver Genealogical Society has digitized several downriver newspapers
These word-searchable newspaper pages are accessible on a dedicated research computer in the DRGS Genealogy Research Library located in the Flat Rock MI School Administration Building, 28639 Division Street, Flat Rock, Michigan.
Email: info@downrivergenealogy.org
Hours: Tuesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. & Thursday 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Copies of articles can be printed out or downloaded to your flash drive.
Phase 1: News-Herald, March 1987 – July 1990
These newspapers are the weekend editions of eight newspapers that debuted Downriver when The Mellus and the New-Herald merged on March 8, 1987. These newspapers were: the Allen Parker, Brownstown Times, Lincoln Parker, Melvindale Messenger, Southgate Sentinel, Taylor Tribune, Woodhaven Times, and the Wyandotte Independent. All issues were digitized due to their local hometown. coverage. 31,800 pages.
Phase 2: Ile Camera, May 1945-Jul 2003, & 2007-2011
This phase consists of the Ile Camera newspaper of Grosse Ile, Michigan. 71,232 pages.
Phase 3: Wyandotte Tribune 1947-1961
This newspaper covers Wyandotte, Michigan, and touches other nearby downriver communities. 15,600 pages.
Phase 4: Ecorse Advertiser/River Rouge Herald 1947-1984
Ecorse and River Rouge MI, are the main focus of these two newspapers that merged in 1972. 23,000 pages.
Phase 5: Mellus Newspapers 1945 – 1971 (April 2026 release)
The Allen Parker, Ecorse Enterprise, Lincoln Parker, Melvindale Messenger, Southgate Sentinel, Southwest Detroiter, Taylor Tribune, 74,500 pages.
We are still working from 1971 through 1986, when the Mellus Newspapers merged with the News Herald.
2306 Fourth Street
Wyandotte, Michigan 48192
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THE DOWNRIVER GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The Downriver Genealogical Society represents 18 communities in south-eastern Wayne County, Michigan. Specifically, Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, South Rockwood, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte.
In the fall of 1979, an eight-session genealogy workshop was held. The persons attending the workshop desired to keep the initiative alive and met for the first time in January 1980 with fourteen people in attendance. The Downriver Genealogical Society became a reality. Within 10 short years, our Society hosted the statewide Michigan Genealogical Council 3 day Seminar.
The Downriver Genealogical Society has built a large genealogical library that benefits members and all persons seeking their heritage. Our society has numerous publications sold at our meetings, at our library, and by mail. To see the list of publications, please refer to our publication page.
Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month (excluding July, August, and December). Check the Programs tab for topics and/or any date changes. The meetings are held at The Copeland Center, 2306 Fourth Street (between Northline and Eureka Roads), Wyandotte, Michigan 48192.
We welcome you to join and share the fun and excitement of your interest with other members of the Downriver Genealogical Society.
Society Affiliations
The Downriver Genealogical Society is a proud member of the following organizations. |  |
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