Primary sources are defined as contemporary and/or government records created at the time of the event by the parties involved. These records are deemed acceptable sources to prove relationships from one generation to another.

--Birth records --Marriage records --Death records	Michigan official records began in 1867. Available from: a) County clerk of the county where the event occurred. b) Michigan Department of Community Health, P.O. Box 30035, Lansing, MI 48909.
Census records for Michigan	a) Territorial Census (federal) is available for 1820 and 1830. b) Federal Census is available for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Note: Census indexes are available for 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870. Indexes are located in major Michigan libraries. Soundex indexes are available for 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920. c) State censuses were taken in 1834, 1845, 1854, 1864, 1874, 1884, 1894 and 1904. Note: Only fragments of these remain. For more information, read Genealogy Research with Michigan State Census Records.
Probate records	Wills/estates (testate—with will; intestate—without will), guardianships, lists of heirs and relationships, name changes and sometimes transfers of real estate. Records begin with the formation of the county and are found in the probate court where the event occurred.
Land records and plats	Purchase and sale of property often shows residency and marital relationship. Available from the county where the land was located. Records may be maintained by the Register of Deeds.
Tax records	Property taxes were paid yearly. Records are available from the time of a county's formation. Records may be located in the Register of Deeds and/or the Treasurer's office in the county where the land was located.
Military records	Records include muster-in and muster-out, pay vouchers, pension papers, and military bounty land warrants (before 1856) for World War I (1914-1918), Spanish-American War (1898-1899), Civil War (1861-1865), Indian & Other Wars (1816-1898), Mexican War (1845-1849), War of 1812 (1812-1815), and Revolutionary War (1775-1783). Records are available from the National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; or the Archives of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing MI 48909-8240. Indexes of Michigan Civil War soldiers are available at most major Michigan libraries.
Church records	Church records often contain birth, death, marriage and funeral information for their membership.
Cemetery records	Records of church, city or township sextons. The Library of Michigan has published the Michigan Cemetery Atlas and the Michigan Cemetery Source Book. Additional information is available in the Library of Michigan's Michigan Cemetery Sources database.
Mortuary records	Records of funeral homes may include death date, burial date, location of interment, obituaries and miscellany.
Burial and transport permits	Found in village, city and township halls, or county health departments. Information varies from death date to personal comments.
Court records	Civil, criminal and divorce records begin with the formation of a county and may be located in the circuit court or superior court where the event occurred.
Naturalization records	Records that indicate when individuals emigrated to Michigan may be located at the National Archives and Records Administration, the Archives of Michigan, any court of record or from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are any sources in print that do not come from a contemporary or government record. These records may not be acceptable as proof.

Bible records	Dated and/or undated. Include a photocopy of the page showing the publisher, date of publication, and the actual pages showing names, dates and events. Identify current owners of the Bible when known.
Obituaries	Date and identify by the name of the newspaper and its location. Most libraries have copies of local newspapers. The Library of Michigan has extensive holdings of microfilmed Michigan newspapers, which are available through interlibrary loan to Michigan libraries.
Newspaper clippings	Date and identify by the name of the newspaper and its location. Most libraries have copies of local newspapers. Clippings may include anniversary announcements, biographical sketches, awards, marriage notices, reminiscences, etc.
Family histories/ genealogies	Copy the title page and pages showing direct ancestral descent or other information, and record the location of the book. The Library of Michigan has a large collection, with information from around that state. Local libraries may have some local genealogies.
County histories/ portrait and biographical histories	Almost every county in Michigan has at least one county history with biographical sketches. The Michigan Genealogical Council published the Guide to Michigan Genealogical and Historical Collections at the Library of Michigan and State Archives of Michigan, 1996. Some local libraries may have county histories for the local and surrounding counties.
City/county directories	The Library of Michigan has an extensive collection of Michigan city directories and has out-of-state directories prior to 1860 on microfiche and from 1861-1960 on microfilm.
Personal papers/ manuscripts	Unpublished written data include letters, diaries, journals, reunion records and manuscripts. The Library of Michigan has microfilmed more than 400 boxes of unpublished genealogical materials.
Tombstone inscriptions	Photographs or transcriptions of the stones. Locations of Michigan cemeteries are shown in the Michigan Cemetery Atlas and companion volume, the Michigan Cemetery Source Book, published by the Library of Michigan. Additional information is available in the Library of Michigan's Michigan Cemetery Sources database.
Atlas/ landowners	The Library of Michigan has an extensive collection of landowner plat books from around the state. Local libraries may have local plat books.

Updated 02/21/2008