Michigan Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The state of Michigan required registration of deaths beginning in 1867. This collection covers deaths registered through 1897.

Record Description
Two page ledger form provided by the Michigan Secretary of State. The registration ledgers are bound in volumes by year. The counties are listed alphabetically within each volume.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in the Michigan death records are:




 * Name of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Sex and color
 * Marital status
 * Age in years, months, and days
 * Disease or apparent cause of death
 * Birthplace of deceased
 * Names and occupations of parents
 * Date the record was made

How to Use the Record
Use death registers to obtain death information. You may also find burial information. The registers normally provide clues for further research, such as names of parents, birth date, birthplace, and place of residence.

Record History
From 1867 to 1897, the township supervisor or city assessor or supervisor annually canvassed their area and recorded the deaths that took place the year preceding the first Monday in April. The supervisor or assessor returned the results to the county clerk within 30 days of completing the canvass. Each year the county clerk forwarded the records to Secretary of State. The Secretary of State had the records bound in books, one for each year, and made an annual report to the Governor. Registration was initially very incomplete. Some counties did not report any deaths during the first three years of this statute. This law remained in effect until 1897, when the state required a death certificate be issued. It is believed that approximately half of the deaths were missed in the time period from 1867 until 1897.

Why the Record Was Created
Deaths were recorded to serve public health needs. They are also used to probate wills and administer the deceased person’s estate.

Record Reliability
Death information was collected during the year following the death of the individual. The assessor or supervisor could obtain the information from anyone who had knowledge of the death. Normally it would be the spouse, parent, or child, but could be another relative, neighbor, physician, or undertaker. The information would only be as reliable as the informant’s knowledge or memory.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites

 * Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897
 * Seeking Michigan
 * Collection: Death Records, 1897-1920

This Library of Michigan collection of Michigan death certificates features nearly 1 million records. This statewide collection offers researchers critical information in tracking Michigan ancestors during this time period. Information includes the decedent's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplace, cemetery name and location, and much more.

Related Wiki Articles

 * Michigan
 * Michigan Vital Records

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

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

Information about creating source citations for FamilySearch Historical Collections is listed in the wiki article Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897." database and digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 25 March 2011. entry for Howard V. Mason, died 7 April 1890; citing Death Records, FHL microfilm 2,363,828; Michigan Department of Vital Records, Lansing, Michigan.