Finding Your Washtenaw County Ancestors
- The boundaries of Washtenaw County were established on 10 September 1822 from the parent counties of Wayne and Oakland. The first settlements were established in 1823-1824.
- Washtenaw County was officially organized on January 1, 1827, when some record-keeping began. The county seat is in Ann Arbor.
Archives and Libraries
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Atlases and Maps
- U.S. Census Data Map of Washtenaw County, undated, Wikimedia CC0
- 1812: "Upper and Lower Canada and United States Contiguous 1812 Map," Pierre Francois Tardieu and Thomas Kensett, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
- 1856 and 1864 Washtenaw County Plat Maps (find in a library)
- 1856: "Map of Washtenaw County, Michigan: from actual surveys," Gustavus R. Bechler, Library of Congress
- 1864: "Map of the Counties of Washtenaw and Lenawee, Michigan," Gustavus R. Bechler, Library of Congress
- 1873: "Map of Washtenaw County, Michigan," H. F. Walling, MIGenWeb
- c1895: "Outline Map of Washtenaw County," Geo. A. Ogle, Library of Congress
- 1896: "Township and Sectional Pocket Map of Washtenaw County, Michigan," M. M. Dickson & Co., Library of Congress
- Bird's-Eye-View Maps
- Birds Eye View of Saline, 1872, "Michigan Bird's-Eye-View Maps (1866-1889)," Michiganology
- Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Michigan, 1880, "Panoramic Maps," Library of Congress
- Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Michigan, 1868, "Panoramic Maps," Library of Congress
- Family Maps of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Gregory A. Boyd (Arphax Publishing) (Bookfinder) (find in a library)
- Landsmen of Washtenaw County, Paul R. Peck (find in a library)
- "History: Maps," US Census Bureau (Notable Maps, How We Map, Statistical Atlases)
- "Michigan County Histories and Atlases," University of Michigan Library
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Washtenaw County, Library of Congress
- "Standard Atlas of Washtenaw County, Michigan: Including a Plat Book of the Villages, Cities, and Townships of the County, Map of the State, United States, and World, Farmers Directory, Reference Business Directory...," Geo. A. Ogle, 1895, Library of Congress
- "Washtenaw County MI Map Records," LDS Genealogy
- Atlases of Washtenaw County, WorldCat (find in a library)
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Bible Records
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Cemetery Records
- "Washtenaw County MI Cemetery Records," LDS Genealogy
- Cemetery records listed at major websites by location: Ancestry, Archive Grid, Billion Graves, Family History Library, Find a Grave, Genealogy Trails, Interment.net, JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry (JOWBR), MyHeritage, National Cemery Administration, USGenWeb Archives, WorldCat
- FamilySearch: Washtenaw County Cemeteries in the FamilySearch Catalog
- Billion Graves: Washtenaw County cemeteries with over 20 images (FamilySearch index)
- Find A Grave: Washtenaw County cemetery memorials (FamilySearch index)
- Interment.net: Washtenaw County cemetery transcriptions
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Census Records
- "Michigan Census Records Research Guide," Library of Michigan
- Michigan Territorial Census: included in 1800-1830 U.S. Federal Census but was lost for 1800, 1810.
- "State Censuses of Michigan: A Tragedy of Lost Treasures." LeRoy Barnett. Family Trails 6:1 (Summer/Fall, 1978): 1-20.
- "Michigan State Census Records, 1827-1894," Michiganology
- 1827: Washtenaw (Territorial Census)
- 1834: Washtenaw (Territorial Census)
- 1845: Eaton, Lenawee, St. Joseph, Washtenaw
- 1854: Branch, Eaton
- 1864: Clinton, Eaton, Houghton, Sanilac
- 1874: Branch, Eaton, Houghton, Kalamazoo
- 1884: Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Jackson, Kalamazo, Kent, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Lenawee, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, Washtenaw, Wayne (includes mortality schedule, month/place of marriages in the year)
- 1888: Civil War Veteran Census, manuscript at Archives of Michigan
- 1894: Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Iosco, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Leeleau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Menominee, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa, St. Clair, Sanilac, Washtenaw (includes mortality schedule)
- Michiganology has 26 counties; FamilySearch has 16; Ancestry has 10. Statistical Returns (Ancestry, $)
- "Michigan State Census, 1894," FamilySearch (index)
- "Michigan, U.S., State Census, 1894," Ancestry (index, $)
- "Index of 1894 State Census for Washtenaw County, Michigan," Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter, NSDAR [L/M F572.W3 I5 1984]
- 1904: Statistical Returns (Ancestry, $)
- "State Archives Circular No. 9, State Census Records in the State Archives," Archives of Michigan (not online)
- "Michigan State Census: 1827, 1834, 1845, 1850, and 1870 State Censuses, Washtenaw County, 1827-1870." [L/M Microfilm: F572.W3 M53 1827 r.4]
- "Michigan, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1827-1870," Ancestry (index, $)
- Incorporates 1827 Territorial Census, 1837 Kalamazoo County, 1840 Pensioners List, 1845 State Census, Michigan portion of 1840-1870 U.S. Census, Early Census Index
- "1830 U.S. Census of Michigan Territory: Washtenaw County," transcription, MIGenWeb
- "Washtenaw County MI Census Records," LDS Genealogy
- United States Census Bureau
- CENSUS FACTS
- Washtenaw in Michigan State Census, 1884-1894, GSWC.
- Facts in Michigan Territorial and State Census, 1827-1894, GSWC
- Facts in U.S. Census, 1790-1860, GSWC
- Facts in U.S. Census, 1870-1930, GSWC
- Facts in Canadian Census, 1851-1901, GSWC
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Church Records
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City and County Directories
- "Washtenaw County, Michigan, Online Historical Directories," Miriam J. Robbins, Online Historical Directories
- "Your Guide to Finding Ancestors in City Directories," Barbara Snow, Genealogy Research Guides
- Washtenaw County Directories: 1965/66-1973, 1975-1989/90, 1991/92, 1993/94. [L/M JS3.M52 W3z]
- Ann Arbor city and Washtenaw County directory for 1886-7: containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms, farmers and private citizens, a classified list of all trades, professions and pursuits, a miscellaneous directory of city and county officers, public and private schools, banks, churches, incorporated institutions, secret and benevolent societies, etc., 1886. [L/M MICROFICHE LH5296]
- "Washtenaw County MI City Directories," LDS Genealogy
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Courthouse Records
- Wills and estates beginning in 1827 (1837 per FamilySearch Wiki) are at the Probate Court office. See sections on Land Records. and Vital Records below.
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Families of Washtenaw County
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Genealogical and Historical Societies
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Land Records
- Washtenaw County deeds and mortgages begin in 1827 (1835 per FamilySearch Wiki) and are at the Register of Deeds office. The GSWC Library has microfilm copies of the grantor/grantee indexes, 1827-1905.
- Clerk/Register of Deeds, Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds
- How Do I... request land records and genealogy records (birth, marriage, death)
- Deeds Search, Search and Request Records
- Document Search by name, document number, legal description, etc.
- Search and preview low quality records (free).
- View, print, or download high quality images ($).
- Historical Index Search for documents recorded 1824-1968.
- [1] Grantor/Grantee Indexes, Index to Grants, Index to Misc., Index to Transcripts
- [2] Document Search by Liber/Book and Page.
- Washtenaw County Register of Deeds: Search Index (1969 to present)
- Register to use the free index search. Copies $.
- Michigan Statewide Search for Subdivision Plats
- Washtenaw County parcel maps, property data, aerial photographs, etc.
- 2021 Washtenaw County Plat Book (digital)
- Washtenaw County deeds (1827-1923) and grantor/grantee index (1827-1905), FamilySearch
- "Washtenaw County MI Land Records," LDS Genealogy
- Government Land Office (GLO) Records: Land Patents, Bureau of Land Management
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Local History
- "Washtenaw County History from A to Z" (annotated links), Jan Tripp, Washtenaw County Historical Society
- "History of Washtenaw County Government," Washtenaw County
- Archives of Michigan: Online and Onsite Collections
- Bentley Historical Library:
- "The Making of Ann Arbor (MoAA)," a collaboration of Ann Arbor District Library, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Library
- Texts, Maps, Postcards, Historic Buildings, Pictorial History of Ann Arbor: 1824-1974, Naming of Ann Arbor, Additional Resources, About MoAA.
- "Making of Ann Arbor Text Collection": How to Search and Browse, University of Michigan Library
- Search Text Collection:
- Select up to four databases: Ann Arbor Postcards, Historical Buildings of Ann Arbor, Pictorial History of Ann Arbor, UM Clark Library Maps.
- Select type of search: Basic, Boolean, Proximity, or Search History.
- Browse Text Collection
- Search Images / Browse Images
- "The Making of Modern Michigan: Digitizing Michigan's Hidden Past," Michigan State University
- "The Making of University of Michigan History: The People, Events, & Buildings that Shaped the University," Bentley Historical Library
- Manchester Calendars: Table of Contents, 1984-2004; Name Index, 1904-2002; Historical Timeline, 1701-1995, GSWC
- "Michigan Biographical Index," Theodore G. Foster
- "Michigan County Histories and Atlases," University of Michigan Library
- "Penny Postcards from [Washtenaw County,] Michigan," Joy Fisher, USGenWeb Archives & MIGenWeb
- "Saline Area Historical Photos," Saline Historical Society & Saline District Library
- Washtenaw County Annual Fair: 1926, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1939. [L/M S 555.M52 W3z]
- "Washtenaw County MI Histories and Genealogies," LDS Genealogy
- INDEXES
- Family History Capers Name Index, GSWC
- Search over 110,000 names appearing in the GSWC Capers journal from 1978 to present.
- Index to Headlight, Souvenir Edition, vol 2, no. 15, 1896, GSWC
- Headlight was a publication of the Michigan Central Railroad.
- Index to Early Ann Arbor and Its People, GSWC
- Index to Old Ann Arbor Town, 1st edition, by Hazel Proctor, GSWC
- Index to Old Ann Arbor Town, 2nd edition, by Hazel Proctor, GSWC
- Comparison of 1st and 2nd editions of Old Ann Arbor Town, GSWC
- Index to Old West Side, Ann Arbor, Michigan by Richard G. Wilson, Edward J. Vaughn, Mrs. George E. Downing for the Old West Side Association, GSWC
- Index to Old Dexter Village by Hazel Proctor, GSWC
- Index to Old Manchester Village From Original Photographs by Hazel Proctor, GSWC
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Military Records
- "The Toledo War (1835-1836)," Michigan-Ohio border dispute, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
- Bibliography of historical accounts, maps, correspondence and documents, newspapers, government documents
- "The Civil War," Michiganology
- "Records of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861-1865"
- "RG 59-14 Michigan Military Establishment Regimental Service Records, 1861-1865"
- "Civil War Photographs"
- "Civil War Battle Flags"
- James S. Schoff Civil War Collection, Clements Library, University of Michigan
- "Michigan in the Civil War: A Guide to the Resources in the Bentley Historical Library," University of Michigan
- "Washtenaw County MI Military Records," LDS Genealogy
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Newspapers and Obituaries
- A History of the Newspapers of Ann Arbor, 1829-1920, Louis W. Doll. Detroit, Wayne State University Press, 1959, 184 pgs. (download pdf)
- Digital Michigan Newspaper Portal: 66 listings for Washtenaw County, Clarke Historical Library
- Newspapers at the Library of Michigan:
- Ann Arbor News, 1937-2009
- Chelsea Standard, 1908-2013
- Dexter Leader, 1869-1970
- Manchester Enterprise, 1867-1991
- Ypsilanti Sentinel, 1844-1880
- The One Hundred-Fifty Years of History: The Ann Arbor News, 1835-1985. ed. Adaline Adams. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor News, 1985. (facimiles) [Oversize AP2.A5 A55 1985]
- "Ann Arbor Newspapers at Google News," 1855-2009, GSWC
- Newspapers at Ann Arbor District Library:
- Ann Arbor News, 11 June 2003 - 23 July 2009; 1 Jan 2016 - present
- Old News / About Old News (transcribed articles)
- Agenda, 1986-1998
- Ann Arbor Argus, 1888-1898
- Ann Arbor Argus-Democrat, 1898-1899
- Ann Arbor Courier, 1880-1888
- Ann Arbor Democrat, 1880-1898
- Ann Arbor News, 1927-2009
- Ann Arbor Register, 1880-1899
- Ann Arbor Sun, 1967-1976
- Michigan Argus, 1860-1879
- Signal of Liberty, 1841-1848, and Michigan Liberty Press, 1848
- "Community Collections: Old News Photos"
- Newspapers at Chelsea District Library:
- Search Newspapers, ...by Publication, ...by Year, Tutorial
- Chelsea Standard, 1890-1893
- The Chelsea Herald, 1873-1909
- The Chelsea Standard, 1895-2019
- The Chelsea Standard-Herald, 1906-1908
- The Chelsea Tribune, 1917-1923
- The Dexter Leader, 1988
- The Sun Times News, 2010-2019
- Washtenaw Now, 2010-2019
- "Family History Index Online" (obituaries, etc.)
- Click on the surname link to get details for that person.
- Newspapers at Milan Public Library
- Ethnic Newpapers and Periodicals in Michigan: A Checklist. Richard J. Hathaway, ed. Michigan Archival Association, 1978. [LH&G 070.03 ETHNIC]
- Milan Newspapers: Index to Microfilm and Microfiche. comp. Millard Frank Phillips. 1995. [LH&G 070.1 MILAN]
- Newspapers at Manchester District Library
- Index to the Manchester Enterprise, vol. 1-50, Oct 1867-Sept 1916, comp. Alan Frank Dyer. [REF 071.7435 DYE V.1] [REF 071.7435 DYE V.2]
- Newspapers at Northfield Township Area Library
- Celebrating Our History: 160 Years of the Ann Arbor News. Marceline, Mo.: Heritage House, 1995. [MICH 977.435 Cel] (photographs submitted readers)
- Newspapers at Saline District Library
- Newspaper Genealogical Column Directory, 4th edition. Anita Cheek Milner. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1989. [LH 929.302 Mil]
- Ann Arbor News (formerly Ann Arbor.com), twice weekly. [News AAN]
- Ann Arbor Observer. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor Observer Co. [News Obs]
- Saline Review. [LH Microfilm SRe] (digital version online)
- Washtenaw Now, 10 April 2014 - 25 June 2015, Heritage Papers, Saline, Mich., weekly. [LH 977.4 Was]. PDF files on 3 CDs, searchable. "Merger of Chelsea Standard, Dexter Leader, Manchester Enterprise, Milan News-Leader, Saline Reporter, Ypsilanti Courier." Back issues on microfilm since 1995. [News Wash]
- Newspapers at Ypsilanti District Library
- Ethnic Newpapers and Periodicals in Michigan: A Checklist. Richard J. Hathaway, ed. Michigan Archival Association, 1978. [RMC 070.172 Mic]
- Historical Perspective: A Selective Look at the Past Through Ypsilanti Newspapers, Ann Smith, 1983. [REF MICHIGAN 977.435 Yps no. 8]
- Newspapers at Chronicling America
- The Ypsilanti Daily Press, 1940-1946
- Ypsilanti Sentinel, 1843-1848
- Online Historical Newspapers: Michigan, Miriam Robbins Midkiff
- "Washtenaw County MI Newspapers and Obituaries," LDS Genealogy
- Washtenaw County Obituaries from the MIGenWeb Archives, MIGenWeb
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Queries and Lookups
- Queries in Family History Capers (members only), GSWC
- Search for "queries" in the Capers Subject Index.
- Submit a query to be published in Family History Capers.
- GSWC members can submit a query about any ancestor.
- Non-members can submit a query about Washtenaw County ancestors.
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Research Assistance and Where to Write
- Bibliography of General References, GSWC
- Michigan Genealogy Sources & Resources, 2nd edition, Carol McGinnis, 2005.
- Washtenaw County Research Addresses (Where to Write), GSWC
- Submit a Research Request to the GSWC Research Committee, GSWC
- "A Short List of Articles in Family History Capers," Nancy Krohn, GSWC
- Nancy's Favorites: interesting and educational articles to help in your research
- "Migrations To-From Canada," Marion C. Keffer, GSWC
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Vital Records
Vital Records from the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register's Office:
- Search and order marriage and death records (1959 to present)
- Order birth and death records (1867 to present)
- Order marriage licenses (1833 to present)
ABOUT VITAL RECORDS
- Clerk/Register of Deeds, Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds
- Records Search, Self Service Web - Vital Records
- Marriage Record Search (after January 1959)
- Marriage Records before January 1959, contact Vital Records (734-222-6720).
- Death Certificate Search (after January 1959)
- Death Certificates before January 1959, contact Vital Records (734-222-6720).
- Business Name Search
- How Do I... request land records and genealogy records (birth, marriage, death)
- Form: Request for Certified Copies (birth, marriage, death), Washtenaw County Clerk's Office
- Birth, marriage, and death records starting in 1867 are at the County Clerk's office.
BIRTHS
MARRIAGES
DEATHS
- Search the Washtenaw County Clerk's Death Database (1959 to present)
- "Death Certificates," Washtenaw County Clerk's Office
- "Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records," Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)
- "Genealogical Death Indexing System (GENDIS): Michigan Death Records 1867-1897," MDHHS
- Vital Records: Michigan Death Certificates, 1897-1952, Michiganology (with timeline, Harry Houdini article)
- "Washtenaw County MI Death Records," LDS Genealogy
- "Washtenaw County Death Resources," MIGenWeb
- "Chelsea Register of Births and Deaths," Chelsea District Library
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Washtenaw County Bibliography and Publications
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Washtenaw County Cities, Villages, and Townships
Michigan has cities and villages, but not towns. Whenever the word "town" is used here, such as in census records, it means "township". Townships comprise 96% of Michigan lands outside of cities. See "Townships in Michigan" with a state map from Michigan Townships Association.
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Washtenaw County Web Pages
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Updated 6/12/22 -slb
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