Michigan Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

This wiki article describes a collection that is available for free online at FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. To access the collection, see Michigan Marriages 1868-1925



Collection Time Period
This collection covers marriages for the year 1868 through 1925.

Collection History
An 1805 law required registration of marriages with the clerk of the local district court. In 1867 an additional law required the counties to send copies of the records to the Office of the State Registrar. A very high percentage of marriages that took place in Michigan were recorded by civil authorities.

Why This Collection Was Created
Counties in Michigan recorded marriages to safeguard the interests of the wife and other legal heirs.

Collection Reliability
The date is very reliable. Other information depends upon the knowledge and reliability of the informants (usually the bride and groom). Only a few deliberately provided false information.

Collection Description
Marriage records were handwritten on preprinted pages with multiple entries to a page.

Collection Content
Key genealogical facts found in Michigan marriage records are: • Name of bride and groom • Date of marriage license • Age of bride and groom • Race of bride and groom • Residence of bride and groom • Birthplace of bride and groom • Name of bride and groom’s father • Occupation of bride and groom

Later records also include the following: • Maiden name of bride and groom’s mother • Number of times previously married • Date of marriage • Place of marriage • Name of person performing the marriage • Witnesses to the marriage • Residence of witnesses

How To Use The Collection
Marriage records are the best source for validating the date and place of marriage. They are also one of the best sources of individual information. The age listed can be used to determine birth dates. The place of residence and occupation lead you to other records that may have information on parents and siblings.

Related Article
Michigan Vital Records