Michigan Births - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
These records cover births from 1867 to 1902.

Record History
Clerks of each County Court recorded births that were reported by parents, doctors and midwives beginning in 1867. This information was then sent to the secretary of the state. From 1867 to 1879, about 15% to 20% of the births were recorded; from 1880-1902, coverage increased to about 60% to 70%.

Why This Record Was Created
The state required counties to begin recording births to document the occurrence of a birth and to track public health issues.

Record Reliability
Information on birth records is generally reliable, though there is always the chance of misinformation.

Record Description
County birth records were entered into register books with multiple entries to a page. Pages are preprinted and the entries are handwritten.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in Michigan birth records are:


 * Name of the child
 * Birth date and place
 * If still-born, illegitimate, or twin
 * Sex
 * Color or race
 * Record Number

How To Use The Record
Birth records are the best source after 1867 of birth information. Use the family residence at time of birth to find other records about the family. Use the parents' names to search for information about them and earlier generations.

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles
Michigan Vital Records

Sources of This Collection
"Michigan Births, 1867-1902," database, FamilySearch; from Michigan Secretary of State. "Birth records, 1867-1902." Michigan Department of Vital Records, Lansing, Michigan. FHL microfilm, 137 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

A full bibliographic record is available in the Family History Library Catalog.

How To Cite Your Sources
An example of citing these records is: Department of Vital Records, Lansing, Michigan. Birth record. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. James N. Cox, b. 18, Oct. 1867, Penn, Cass, Michigan, page 273, record number 175.

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections