Michigan Death Certificates - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index to death records from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics in Lansing for the years 1921 to 1952. These records are also available on the Seeking Michigan website.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Death date and place
 * Birth date and place
 * Age
 * Marital status
 * Names of parents
 * Name of spouse
 * Race
 * Gender
 * Residence
 * Name and relationship of informant

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor.
 * The date of death.
 * The place of death.
 * The names of family members and their relationships.

Search the Index
Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.

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. Be aware that search returns may include a GS Film Number. This is not a searchable Family History Library microfilm number and will not lead you to images for your ancestor. The full record can be obtained from Michigan Department of Community Health.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the names and relationships as a basis for compiling family groups
 * Use the names, date, and residence or place to locate the individual or family in the census
 * Use the names and places to locate additional records about the individual or family such as church and land records
 * Look for burial and probate records in the same location
 * The informant is often a close relative
 * If no birth date is given, use age listed to determine an approximate birth date
 * If the deceased is a child, look for records of the parents
 * Be aware that search returns may include a GS Film Number. This is not a searchable Family History Library microfilm number and will not lead you to images for your ancestor. The full record can be obtained from Michigan Department of Community Health

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor
 * There is also the possibility that a family was missed in the census

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.

"Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Department of Community Health. Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing.
 * Collection Citation:

Top of Page