Death Without Official Michigan Record
A Michigan Genealogical Council Project
DWR - MGC, P.O. Box 80953, Lansing, MI 48908-0953
PRIMARY SOURCES
|
Primary Sources are defined as contemporary and/or government records made at the time of the event by
the parties involved. These records are acceptable sources in proving relationship from one generation to another.
- Census Records: Federal Census Mortality schedules taken in 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. Prints from the
microfilm should accompany the registration form. Transcripts from films are not acceptable as proof.
- Probate Records: Wills and estates (testate with will; intestate without will); guardianship lists of
heirs and relationship; name changes; and sometimes transfer of real estate. Records begin at the formation of
the county and are found in the Probate Court where the event occurred.
- Land Records and Plats: Purchase and sale of property often shows residency and marital relationship.
Available from the county where the land was owned, records may be maintained by the Register of Deeds. Some
proofs of death may occur here.
- Tax Records: Taxes were paid on property owned on a yearly basis. Records are available from the time
of the county's formation. Records may be located in the Register of Deeds and/or Treasurer's Office in the
county where land was located or in township record repositories. Changes in ownership may determine time of
death.
- Military Records: Records include muster-in and muster-out, pay vouchers, pension papers, and military
bounty land warrants (before 1856) for: Revolutionary War (1775-1783); War of 1812 (1812-1815); Indian and
other wars (1816-1898); Mexican War (1845-1849); Civil War (1861-1865); Spanish-American War (1898-1899);
World War I (1914-1918). Records are available from the National Archives and Records Service, 8th and
Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20408 or from the Michigan History Division, 717 W. Allegan, Lansing,
MI 48918. Indexes of Michigan Civil War soldiers are available. Pension applications, granted or refused,
are acceptable as proofs.
- Church Records: Church records often contain birth, death, marriage, and funeral information on their
membership.
- Cemetery Records: Actual records of church, city, or township sextons. The Library of Michigan published
the Michigan Cemetery Atlas and the Michigan Cemetery Source Book.
- Mortuary Records: Actual records of funeral home may include death date, burial date, location of
interment, obituaries, and miscellany.
- Burial and Transport Records: Found in village, city, and township halls or county health departments.
Information varies from death date to personal comments.
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, divorce, and naturalization records begin from the formation of the
county and may be located in the Circuit Court or Superior Court where the event occurred. Some proofs of death
may be found in this group.
|
SECONDARY SOURCES
|
Secondary Sources are any sources in print that do not come from a contemporary or government source.
One of these records alone might not be acceptable as proof of a death without official Michigan record.
- Bible Records: Dated and/or undated. Include photocopies of the pages showing the publisher, date of
publication, names, dates, and events. Identify current owners of the Bible when known. This must be accompanied
by a residence location.
- Obituaries: Dated with name of the newspaper and location. Most libraries contain copies of local
newspapers. The Library of Michigan has extensive holdings of microfilmed Michigan newspapers available through
interlibrary loan to Michigan libraries. Photocopies of original articles are requested. Prints from unidentified
films or photocopies of unidentified obituaries do not serve as proof, but are accepted as supplemental material.
- Newspaper Clippings: Dated with name of newspaper or location. Clippings may include anniversaries,
biographical sketches, awards, marriage notices, reminiscences, etc. Prints from films or photocopies of actual
clippings are requested.
- Family Histories and Genealogies, Published: When submitting this type of material, include a copy of the
title page, pages showing direct ancestral descent, and state the location of the book. The Library of Michigan
has a large statewide collection. Local libraries may have some local genealogies.
- County Histories, Portraits, and Biographical Histories, Published: Almost every county in Michigan has
at least one county history with biographical sketches. The Library of Michigan published the Guide to the
Michigan Genealogical & Historical Collections at the Library of Michigan and the State Archives of
Michigan (published in 1996 by the Michigan Genealogical Council, P.O. Box 80953, Lansing, MI 48908-0953)
listing Michigan census, county histories, and vital records, transcribed and original materials.
- City and County Directories: The Library of Michigan has an extensive statewide collection of Michigan
city directories with out-of-state directories prior to 1860 on microfiche and from 1861 forward on microfilm.
- Personal Papers and Manuscripts: Unpublished written data include letters, diaries, journals, reunion
records, and manuscripts. For example, the Library of Michigan has 450 boxes of manuscripts.
- Tombstone Inscriptions: Photographs or transcriptions of the stones. Locations of Michigan cemeteries
are shown in the Michigan Cemetery Atlas and the companion volume, the Michigan Cemetery Source Book,
published by the Library of Michigan.
- Atlas and Landowners Plat Books: The Library of Michigan has an extensive statewide collection of
landowner plat books. Look also at local libraries.
|
