March 18, 2009

The Department of History Arts and Libraries (HAL) yesterday launched the Seeking Michigan Web site, and by midnight - due to vast interest in these unique historical resources -the site saw an increase in traffic of 2,600 percent, overwhelming the capacity of its servers.

Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark said that staff members are working today to transfer the materials to new servers, with plans to be up and running with a much greater capacity by the end of the week.

"The response to our announcement of the Seeking Michigan Web site was remarkable," said Clark. "We are sorry to disappoint those who are excited about the site, but confident that it will soon be able to respond to this incredible interest in Michigan's history."

The Seeking Michigan Web site (www.seekingmichigan.org) features a growing collection of unique historical information that - through digitized source documents, maps, films, images, oral histories and artifacts - creatively tells the stories of Michigan's families, homes, businesses, communities and landscapes. The project is a collaboration that has long been in the making between the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan. Site design and digitization of resources were funded through various grants.

The Archives of Michigan is part of the Michigan Historical Center. The Michigan Historical Center and the Library of Michigan are agencies within the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).

Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).