Montcalm County, Michigan Genealogy

Guide to Montcalm County, Michigan ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. 

Description
The County was named for Louis-Joseph de Montcalm. The County has Stanton as its seat and the County was created 1738. The County is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
County Clerk has birth and death records from 1867, marriage records from 1858, divorce and court records from 1865. Probate Court has probate records. Register of Deeds has land records.

Parent County
1831--Montcalm County was created 2 March 1831 from Mackinac County. It was attached to Ionia County prior to organization 20 March 1850. County seat: Stanton

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Michigan county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Michigan County Boundary Maps" (1790-1897) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
1905 The courthouse was destroyed by fire on 16 February; however, county records were saved.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties
Clinton •  Gratiot  •  Ionia  •  Isabella  •  Kent  •  Mecosta  •  Newaygo

Cemeteries
Reynolds Township Cemetery

Census
 State Census
 * 1894 - at FamilySearch — index

Church

 * 1819-1991 - at FamilySearch — index

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1929 - 1966 at FamilySearch — index and images

Local Histories
Portrait and biographical album of Ionia and Montcalm counties, Michigan.

Maps

 * Maps of Michigan (1790-1897)

Civil War

 * at FamilySearch — index
 * 1876-1945 - at FamilySearch — index

World War I

 * 1917-1919 - at FamilySearch — index

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1837-1993 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Obituaries

 * 1820-2006 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Probate
Online Probate Records


 * 1784 – 1980 Michigan Wills and Probate Records 1784-1980 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1797 – 1973 at FamilySearch — images

Vital Records

 * How to order Michigan Vital Records

Birth

 * 1867-1917 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1867-1902 - Michigan Birth Registrations, 1867-1902-- Free name indexes and images at FamilySearch. Records include such information as name of child, birthdate and place, if still-born, illegitimate or twin, gender, race and record number.

Marriage

 * 1585-1945 - Michigan, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1820-1937 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1820-1940 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1868-1925 - Michigan Marriage Registrations, 1868-1925 -- Free name indexes at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

Death

 * 1850-1880 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1867-1897 - Michigan Death Registrations, 1867-1897 -- Free name indexes and images at FamilySearch.   Records include such information as name of deceased, date and place of death, gender, color, marital status, age in years, months and days, disease or apparent cause of death, birthplace, names and occupations of parents, and the date the record was made.

Societies and Libraries

 * Flat River Genealogical Society of Greenville 506 W. Grant Street Greenville, MI 48838
 * Belding Area Historical Society  108 Hanover Belding, MI 48809 Phone: 616-794-2210
 * Oakfield Pioneer Heritage Society and Museum 11009 Podunk Road Greenville, MI 48838 Phone: 616-754-1970
 * Ionia County Historical Society Blanchard House 251 E. Main Ionia, MI 48846 Phone: 616-527-6281
 * Ionia County Genealogical Society PO Box 516 Lake Odessa, MI 48849-0516 Phone: 616-374-8455

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers


 * Greenville Michigan Family History Center 10770 W M-57, Greenville, MI 488348 United States

Websites

 * Michigan Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Michigan Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
 * Montcalm County MI Genealogy (Michigan Genealogy)
 * Montcalm County MI Genealogy (Michigan Genealogy)