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. Michigan state law restricts the availability of death certificate images less than 75 years old.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records • 2

Sample Images
Certificate of Death 1927

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, 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

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 the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
 * Search for an obituary or cemetery record

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

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

Family History Library Holdings

 * Michigan. Department of Health. Dept. of Vital Statistics. Death certificates, 1921-1952
 * Michigan. Secretary of State. Death records, 1867-1897
 * Michigan Department of Health and Michigan Genealogical Council. Michigan death index, 1867-1874. 3 volumes. Lansing, Michigan : Michigan Dept. of Community; Lansing, Michigan : Michigan Genealogical Council,1997. FHL 977.4 V22d

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Michigan Death Index, 1971-1996
 * Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995
 * Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897
 * Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006

Related Digital Books

 * Historical Records Survey Project, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration. Vital statistics holdings by government agencies in Michigan; death records. Detroit, Michigan : Michigan Historical Records Survey Project, 1942

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.