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. Townships were created starting in 1827.
- Ann Arbor was founded in 1824, incorporated as a village in 1833, and chartered as a city in 1851.
- Washtenaw County, Territory of Michigan, was attached to Wayne County for governmental purposes until it completed the legal process of organization on 31 December 1826. The county was established on 1 January 1827 with the county seat in Ann Arbor. Some record-keeping began in 1827.
- Michigan became the 26th state on 26 January 1837.
Archives and Libraries
- Library of Michigan : Family History
- Get a library card... available to Michigan residents
- To borrow from Library of Michigan's circulating collection
- For access to online subscription databases (top and middle of page)
- Login required for access to the Answer Catalog (search articles, books, journals, and more)
- Online resources that do not require a library card (bottom of page)
- MeL, Library of Michigan Digital, Michigan Authors and Illustrators Database, Michigan Legislative Biography Database, ReadMichigan.org
- FamilySearch affiliate library
- University of Michigan Library [catalog]
- Bentley Historical Library [catalog] [Facebook]
- "Research Resources:" Quick Start (2 resources including Finding Aids)
- "HathiTrust Collections:" newspapers, magazines, journals, yearbooks, commencement annuals, city directories (Ann Arbor: 1860-2000, Detroit: 1837-1920), UM Student Directories, UM Faculty/Staff Directories
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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 (WorldCat: find in a library)
- Name Index to 1856 & 1864 Plat Maps (members only), GSWC
- After logon, members see this link in the left column after selecting "Washtenaw Research".
- 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
- 1874: Combination Atlas Map of Washtenaw County (map), Everts & Stewart, in "Michigan County Histories and Atlases," University of Michigan Library (page index)
- c1895: "Outline Map of Washtenaw County," Geo. A. Ogle, Library of Congress
- 1895: Standard Atlas of Washtenaw County (page index), Geo. A. Ogle, in "Michigan County Histories and Atlases," University of Michigan Library
- 1896: "Township and Sectional Pocket Map of Washtenaw County, Michigan," M. M. Dickson & Co., Library of Congress
- 1915: Standard Atlas of Washtenaw County (page index), Geo. A. Ogle, in "Michigan County Histories and Atlases," University of Michigan Library
- "Archives of Michigan Map Collection, ca. 1810-1970," database, Michiganology
- Atlases of Washtenaw County, WorldCat (WorldCat: find in a library)
- Bird's-Eye-View Maps
- Birds Eye View of Saline, 1872, "Michigan Bird's-Eye-View Maps (1866-1889)," database, 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) (WorldCat: find in a library)
- "History: Maps," US Census Bureau (Notable Maps, How We Map, Statistical Atlases)
- Landsmen of Washtenaw County, Paul R. Peck (Worldcat: find in a library)
- Michigan: "Surveyor Field Notebooks, 1815-1918" and "Surveyor Maps, 1816-1860," databases, Michiganology
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Washtenaw County (42 maps), 1884-1950, 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..." (53 images), Geo. A. Ogle, 1895, Library of Congress
- "Washtenaw County MI Map Records," LDS Genealogy
- Links for county, Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline, Ypsilanti
- Washtenaw County Section Map, by Randy Majors on Google Maps. Find Section/Township/Range in Public Land Survey System (PLSS) by address, place, or reverse find.
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Bible Records
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Cemetery Records
- "Washtenaw County MI Cemetery Records," LDS Genealogy
- Links to 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." Barnett. Family Trails 6:1 (Summer/Fall, 1978): 1-20.
- "Michigan State Census" (1827-1894), database, 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" (1840-1950), 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
- "City and County Directories" (1868-2001) for Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw Co. (varies by year); online and in the public domain, Ann Arbor District Library
- "Washtenaw County, Michigan, Online Historical Directories" (1860s-1940s), Miriam J. Robbins, Online Historical Directories
- 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" (1868-1960), 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.
- Bureau of Land Management: General Land Office Records (BLM-GLO) [land patent search]
- 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. (Click login > New Registered User.) Copies $.
- Document Search, 1824-current year / or / Historical Index Search, 1824-1968
- Michigan: "Surveyor Field Notebooks, 1815-1918" and "Surveyor Maps, 1816-1860," databases, Michiganology
- Michigan Statewide Search for Subdivision Plats (old web page), Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
- Digital images of over 66,000 plats,1821-present, "including all plats in the State of Michigan beginning with the plats created under the 1821 territorial act for recording town plats." This links to a new web page, but the new page is about licensing, not about plats.
- Washtenaw County Maps
- Washtenaw Map Gallery:
- Esek Pray Trail Tour
- German Heritage Tour.
- Greek Revival Architecture Tour
- Historic Barns Tour
- HistWeb Historic Resource Database
- Washtenaw County Local Historic Districts
- Willow Run: Arsenal of Democracy
- MapWashtenaw - interactive mapping application
- MapStore - digital data and custom maps
- Washtenaw County Plat Books - annual plat books may be viewed and downloaded at no cost
- Washtenaw County deeds (1827-1923) and grantor/grantee index (1827-1905), FamilySearch
- "Washtenaw County MI Land Records," LDS Genealogy
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Local History
- Online and Onsite Collections
- “General Photograph Collection, ca. 1860-1990”
- "State Government Records" (Select in drop-down.)
- "Local Government Records" (Select in drop-down.)
- 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
- "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
- Ypsilanti Historical Society Photo Archives, Ypsilanti Historical Society and UM
- INDEXES (public access)
- Family History Capers Name Index & Subject Index, GSWC
- Search over 110,000 names in GSWC's Capers journal, 1978 to the present.
- Index: Headlight, Souvenir Edition, vol 2, no. 15, 1896, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- Headlight was a publication of the Michigan Central Railroad.
- Index: Old Ann Arbor Town, 1st edition, by Hazel Proctor, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Old Ann Arbor Town, 2nd edition, by Hazel Proctor, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Old Dexter Village by Hazel Proctor, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Old Manchester Village From Original Photographs by Hazel Proctor, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Old West Side, Ann Arbor, Michigan by Richard G. Wilson, Edward J. Vaughn, Mrs. George E. Downing for the Old West Side Association, Sharon L. Brevoort, compiler, GSWC
- INDEXES (members only)
After logon, members see these links in the left column after selecting "Washtenaw Research".
- Indexes to 1856 and 1864 Plat Maps of Washtenaw County
- Introduction to the 1856 (and 1864) Name Index
- Name Index to the 1856 Plat Maps, Nancy H. Krohn and Mary L. Liskow, compilers, GSWC
- Name Index to the 1864 Plat Maps, Nancy H. Krohn and Mary L. Liskow, compilers, GSWC
- Index: 1894 State Census for Washtenaw County, Michigan, Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter, D.A.R.
- Index: Ann Arbor in the 19th Century: A Photographic History by Grace Shackman, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Ann Arbor: The Changing Scene by Adam Christman, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Ann Arbor: The First Hundred Years by O. W. Stephenson, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
- Index: Early Ann Arbor and Its People by V. Ryan, B. Springfield C. Jewett, and L. Hoag, compilers, GSWC
- Index: Vital Records of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Mary Jane Trout, compiler, Ypsilanti Chapter, D.A.R.
- Index: Ypsilanti: A History in Pictures by James Thomas Mann, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
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Military Records
- Archives of Michigan
- "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
- 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]
- Newspapers at Ann Arbor District Library:
- Ann Arbor News, 11 June 2003 - 23 July 2009; 1 Jan 2016 - present
- AADL Archives : Research Tips: How to Search AADL's Archives
- 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
- Search for: "Community Collections," 1,883 clipped articles and photos; "Photographs," 5,190 items; "Old News," 10,000 items; About Old News (transcribed articles)
- Newspapers at Chelsea District Library:
- Search Newspapers with links to browse by Year and by Publication; 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:
- Michigan Online Historical Newspapers (MOHN), Miriam Robbins Midkiff
- GenealogyBank listings ($):
- Ann Arbor Daily Argus, 1898-1907
- Ann Arbor Daily Times, 1903-1908
- Ann Arbor Democrat, 1878-1898
- Ann Arbor Local News, 1857-1860
- Ann Arbor News, 1906-1922; obituaries 2003-current; obituaries on the web 2009-current
- Ann Arbor News Argus, 1907-1908
- Michigan Argus, 1835-1907
- Signal of Liberty, 1841-1847
- True Democrat, 1845-1849
- Other MOHN listings are similar to those in "Ann Arbor Newspapers at Google News" and "Chronicling America" above.
- "Washtenaw County MI Newspapers and Obituaries," LDS Genealogy
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Queries and Lookups
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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
- Nancy's Favorite Capers Articles - Nancy Krohn's list of interesting and educational articles to help in your research, GSWC
- "Migrations To-From Canada," Marion C. Keffer, GSWC (members only)
- After logon, members see this link in the left column after selecting "Washtenaw Research".
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Vital Records
ABOUT VITAL RECORDS
The Clerk's Office has birth/death records starting 1867 and marriage records starting 1833.
[1] Records Search for Marriage/Death from County Clerk
- Marriage Record Search (after January 1959)
- Death Certificate Search (after January 1959)
- For earlier birth and death records, contact Vital Records (734-222-6720).
[2] Vital Records: Certified Copies from County Clerk
- Request a certified copy of birth or death record, 1867 to present.
- Request a certified copy of marriage record, 1833 to present.
- 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
- For free uncertified copies of death records, 1897-1952, search Michiganology death records. Records may be online but not visible if the record date is less than 75 years ago, e.g., 1948 in 2023, 1949 in 2024.
- BIRTHS
- MARRIAGES
- DEATHS
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Washtenaw County Bibliography and Publications
- "Periodicals," Toledo Lucas County Public Library
- "Periodicals Spreadsheet," Local History and Genealogy Department
- 1,881 lines; alphabetical list in Google Sheets; prints on 14 pages in fine print
- national, state, and local genealogical/historical magazines, journals, and newsletters
- Publications: Ypsilanti Historical Museum and Archive
- Ypsilanti Gleanings, Lost Ypsilanti, Historical Highlights of Ypsilanti, Photo Archives
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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 the Michigan Townships Association.
- Township Map of Washtenaw County
- Washtenaw Co. Michigan at a Glance (county/township formation), GSWC
- "Cities, Townships & Villages" (official links to local government websites), Washtenaw County
- Washtenaw County, Michigan: Communities (cities, villages, townships), Wikipedia
- "Washtenaw County, Michigan, Genealogy," FamilySearch Wiki
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Washtenaw County Web Pages
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Updated 6/12/22 SLB; 1/30/23 SLB; 2/16/24 SLB; 2/25/24 JHT; 9/9/24 SLB
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