Burton Collection
Detroit Public Library
The New York Times Reference Book lists the Burton Collection as one of the top five places to do genealogical research in the United States. I think it is one of the best kept secrets of the hobby. For a while I was able to access it once a month or so. (Believe it or not, I go on a randomly determined basis, i.e., if work calls for me to travel by the library, and there is a parking place on the street, it's lunch time! I can seldom contain my excitement for more than an hour anyway, I'm too eager to share what I've learned to sit still and look for more!)
I was at the Burton Collection and, as so often happens among fellow genealogists, I was helped by another researcher. She explained that if I found a listing for a surname in the catalogue, I could list the last name and write RRF for the book title and the librarians would retrieve an envelope containing pictures or newspaper clippings. So I promptly requested the Swarthout and Swartwout files, the two listed in the card files. I was rewarded with two envelopes, Swarthout with a variety of clippings and Swartwout with a single article. I have legible, digital pictures of the clippings that were there.
If you contact me I will send you a digital copy of the appropriate clipping.
Mrs. Arthur H. Swarthout - Obituary - Aug 29, 1892
Jay D. Swartwout - Obituary - Navy Flier - March 18, 1928
Mrs. C. A. Swartout - Obituary - March 17, 1943
Thomas J. Swartout - Obituary - April 12, 1944
Fern Work Swartout - Funeral announcement with picture, date questionable.
Carrie Swarthout - Obituary - Sept 20, 1947
Mary Lu Swarthout - Marriage to Junior Perrien - Aug 16, 1949
Elvin Swarthout - Grand Rapids Mayor - Announcement of death, year unknown.
Dora Swarthout - Pioneer of Pickney - Historical article with several picts - Aug 3, 1966
Russell Swarthout - Cleared of Charges - Jan 27, 1970
Jess Aaron Swarthout - Death notice - October 24, 1971
Kenneth Swarthout - Obituary - d. May 19, 1973
Back to the Swarthout Genealogy Page
Copyright Mark W. Swarthout, 2001
Updated 6/12/2001