Carl Bajema Michigan History collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: Collection 488

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Materials in this collection include maps, photographs, and research volumes containing clippings and excerpts from various sources. Compiled by the donor, the 1571 volumes encompass a wide array of topics and form the bulk of the collection. Used throughout the volumes are abbreviations. For an abbreviations key, see the Appendix.

In December 2021, Bajema materials once stored in vertical files were put in binders and added to the end of this collection, 116 volumes total.

Dates

1830 - 2000

Biographical / Historical

The author of numerous articles and several books, Dr. Carl Bajema is a historian and retired Grand Valley State University Professor of Biology. During his more than 40 years at GVSU, Bajema spent much of his time studying the environmental history of Michigan, concentrating on the natural and cultural history of the Grand River Valley.

Utilizing microfilmed newspapers for his research, Bajema began to discover articles outside the scope of his original search, including articles on Civil War soldiers, African Americans, women, railroads, sports, and many other topics of historical significance. Arranging photocopies of these articles topically, Bajema would later donate them to Grand Rapids Public Library, with the newspaper clippings forming the Grand Rapids Public Library African American newspaper clippings collection (Coll. 290) and the Michigan soldiers reported in Civil War era newspapers (Coll. 244).

The Carl Bajema Michigan History collection is the result of over 50 years of research performed by the donor. Comprised of Bajema’s personal research copies of clippings, this collection covers a number of Midwestern topics from 1830 to 2000 related to industry, transportation, natural resources, and the environment.

Extent

390.8 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains primarily newspaper clippings compiled by Carl Bajema, a retired Professor of Biology, over the course of 53 years, with the majority being done between 1985 and 2018. Arranged by subject into binders, these clippings cover a number of topics relevant to the history of Grand Rapids, as well as the rest of Michigan and portions of neighboring states. While the subjects in the collection vary, the majority are related to natural resources, environmental history, industry, and transportation in the region between 1830 and 2000. Also included in this collection are a number of photographs and maps.