Research Requests & Lookups by GSWC

Research Requests

About Research Requests

• The submitted names must have a possible Washtenaw County connection.
• GSWC volunteers conduct limited research at the GSWC library using the sources available there. 
• Four unique resources are
  • Indexed files of query/research correspondence
  • Family vertical files
  • GSWC Member Ancestor Surname index
  • An (earlier) pioneer file
• The Society may be able to supply names of others who can check additional sources.
• Research requests are written up in Family History Capers as a Query if the requester agrees.

What to Include

• Your name, address, and email address 
• Your specific request
  • Name of the individual and family members
  • Specific information you seek
  • Approximate time period when the person was in Washtenaw County
  • Place in the county, if known
  • Information you already know, including family group sheets, pedigree charts, census data

How to Submit

Submitting by Mail

Please send your research request to:   

The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Inc
P.O. Box 7155
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-7155

If you have no email address, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope 

Submitting by Email

Email template --> opens an email with the subject heading Research Request 

Do you have any attachments?

Support the Library

A contribution of ten dollars is suggested. Donations are used to purchase research materials for our library.

How to contribute:

• Open Donation Form
  • Select the campaign Support GSWC in the dropdown menu 
  • Follow instructions on the form to pay by credit card or check
• If paying by personal check:
  • Make check payable to GSWC

Lookups

• The Research Committee will do a lookup for you in a non-Washtenaw County book owned by the library, but will not be able to do follow-up research.

See also Research Help & Lookups.

mmcc 1/6/2023; 1/22/23 SLB; 3/19/24 JT; 10/29/24 JT; 1/22/2025 JT; 2/13/2025 JT; 2/18/2025 JT; 2/8/2026 JT