Michigan, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains church records from various denominations in Michigan for the years 1819 to 1991. The record content and time period varies by denomination and locality. Some of the churches represented include:
 * St. John Evangelical Lutheran (Detroit)
 * North Woodward Avenue Congregational Church (Detroit)
 * St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Jackson)
 * Holton Evangelical Lutheran Church (Holton)
 * Immanuel Lutheran Church (Ida)
 * Trinity Episcopal Church (Monroe)
 * Bethany Lutheran Church (Ishpeming)
 * Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Whiteford Center)
 * First Congregational Church (Wyandotte)

What Can these Records Tell Me?
Church records may include:
 * The names of individuals
 * Dates of birth, christening, marriage, and death
 * Names of witnesses to events
 * The officiator
 * Names of parents or other relatives

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date and or location of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Search for county and state vital records such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records

I Can’t Find The Person I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Michigan.
 * Michigan Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing this Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.