Michigan Directories

Online Resources

 * Michigan Business Directory, 1863, index
 * Michigan Directories Distant Cousin
 * Michigan Online Historical Directories - listed by county

History
Directories of heads of households have been published for major cities in Michigan.

Libraries and Archives
The best collection of directories is at the Library of Michigan. A description of their availability and use is in the Summer 1975 issue of Family Trails (see the "Periodicals" page.

Directories Online
Fold3.com ($) has Detroit City Directories 1861-1923 available online.

Ancestry.com ($) has Michigan directories available online in its U.S. City Directories collection.

The Family History Library
The Family History Library has city directories for various years from throughout the state of Michigan including:

Detroit

1856-1935 on 72 Family History Library films; 46 microfiche

1957, 1964, 1970 etc. Family History Library book 977.433 E4pe

1956, 1965, 1970 etc. Family History Library book 977.434 E4pw

Detroit directories from 1887 through 1915 may list the name and death date of individuals who died during the preceding year.

Grand Rapids

1856-1936 on 36 Family History Library films; 4 microfiche

1917, etc. Family History Library book 977.455 E4g

To find directories, consult the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:


 * MICHIGAN, [COUNTY] — DIRECTORIES
 * MICHIGAN, [COUNTY], [TOWN] — DIRECTORIES

Websites

 * Michigan Directories Distant Cousin
 * US City Directories This web site identifies printed, microfilmed, and online directories and their repositories.
 * City Directories in Genealogical Research