Abrams Collection Genealogy Highlights
Spring 2006
Volume 8, Number 2

A PDF version of Courthouse Records is also available.

Thousands of courthouses exist across the United States, and most, if not all, have some records that are valuable to genealogists searching for information on their family. Researchers may discover property records, land transfers, probates and estate records, guardianships, tax records, civil and criminal proceedings including coroner's records, naturalizations, divorces, paternity, and even information indicating if your ancestors were paupers, insane or felons.

Since official vital records did not exist in most states prior to the 20th century, researchers should consider court documents in their family history research. For example, wills and estate records typically list family members, and land title transfers can provide important clues to an ancestor's death or relocation. Civil and criminal records can reveal names and relationships of family members, while naturalization records can show when our ancestors immigrated to the United States, from where, and in some cases, the exact place of birth.

This publication is a sample of courthouse resources available at the Library of Michigan. Titles may be located by searching ANSWER, the Library's catalog, which is online at www.answercat.org. Clicking on the links in this publication will take you to the ANSWER catalog search results or the catalog record for a particular item. The easiest way to locate courthouse resources in ANSWER is with a keyword search using the term court, followed by the type of information you are looking for. Below are some additional suggestions to help maximize your search results:

• court records michigan
• eaton county probate
• michigan landowners
• michigan naturalization
• north carolina wills
• bedford county court
• new york naturalization
• illinois marriages

Adding a geographic location will allow you to narrow your search. For example, new york and monroe county will retrieve genealogical resources that focus on Monroe County, New York. When searching by keyword, it is not necessary to capitalize proper nouns.

General Resources

Franklin, Charles M. Keys to the Courthouse. 3 vols. Indianapolis: Heritage House, 1985-1986.
Genealogy CS 49 .F73 1985

Rose, Christine. Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures. San Jose, CA: CR Publications, 2004.
Genealogy CS 49 .R66 2004

United States. National Archives and Records Administration. Federal Court Records: A Select Catalog of National Microfilm Publications. Washington, D.C.: National Archives Trust Fund Board, National Archives and Records Administration, 1987.
Genealogy KF 4 .U556 1987

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Michigan Counties

Michigan. Court of Chancery (Allegan County District). Chancery Calendar, Allegan County. 2 reels. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society, 1983.
Genealogy Microfilm F 572 .A3 M5 1983

Michigan Territorial Court. Records of the Territorial Court of Michigan, 1815-1836. 9 reels. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1980.
Genealogy Microfilm KFM 4245 .A35 1980
The records consist of case files and a bound volume written in the style of a journal.

Serrell, Alice D., comp. Abstracts of Probate Files in the Probate Court, Oakland County, Michigan. Pontiac: General Richardson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1996.
Michigan F 572 .O2 S47 1996

Stevens, Carol A. Bowen. Indexes to Naturalizations, Lenawee County, Michigan. Tipton: C.A. Stevens, 1999.
Michigan F 572 .L5 S74 1999

Szucs, Loretto D. Naturalizations, Declarations of Intent and Final Oaths: Circuit Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Detroit. Midlothian, IL: L.D. Szucs, 1977.
Michigan F 574 .D4 U6 1977

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Other States

Austin, Jeannette Holland. Georgia Intestate Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1986.
Genealogy F 285 .A8895 1986

Brown, Virginia Alleman. Abstracts of Partitions and Divisions of Morris County Estates Filed at Morristown, New Jersey, 1785-1900. Baltimore: Clearfield Co., 1992.
Genealogy F 142 .M8 B76 1992

Craft, Kenneth Fischer, Jr. Ohio County (WV) Index: Index to County Court Order Books, 1777-1881. 4 vols. Bowie, MD.: Heritage Books, 1997-1999.
Genealogy F 240 .C73 1997

Dexter, Darrel, comp. Union County Illinois Probate Records, 1818-1855. Carterville, IL: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, 1996.
Genealogy F 547 .U5 D4966 1996
Another volume covers 1856 to 1868.

Graver, William H. Index to Selected Hamilton County, Ohio, Recorder's Books, 1801-1820. Milford, OH: Little Miami Publishing Company, 2000.
Genealogy F 497 .H2 G66 2000 Index

Grove, Helen E. Clinton County, Indiana, First Guardianship Book: 1836-1866, Books 1 & 2. Kokomo, IN: Selby Pub., 1995.
Genealogy F 532 .C65 G764 1995

Hester, Gwendolyn Lynette. Sumter County, Alabama, Wills: 1828-1872; Mortality Schedules: 1850-1880. Dallas: Southern Roots, 1998.
Genealogy F 277 .S8 H47 1998

Mackey, Howard, and Marlene A. Groves, eds. Northampton County Virginia Record Book: Orders, Deeds, Wills &c. 6 vols. Rockport, ME: Picton Press, 1999-2003.
Genealogy F 232 .N85 M32 1999

Parker, Mattie E., ed. North Carolina Higher-Court Records. 5 vols. Raleigh, NC: State Department of Archives and History, 1968.
Genealogy KFN 7919 .A4 A7 1670

Sanders, Carol L. First Order Book, Court Orders of Russell County, Kentucky. Blue Ash, OH: C.L. Sanders, 1991.
Genealogy F 457 .R8 S34 1991

Sherman, Ruth Ann Wilder. An Index to Plymouth County, Massachusetts Warnings Out from the Plymouth Court Records, 1686-1859. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2003.
Genealogy F 72 .P7 S54 2003

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Internet Resources

Archives of Michigan
www.michigan.gov/archivesofmi
The Archives houses many records from Michigan county courthouses, including naturalization records and indexes.

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints Family History Centers
www.familysearch.org
Microfilmed courthouse records can be requested from the Family History Library through your local Family History Centers.

United States GenWeb Project
usgenweb.org/
This Web site has links to courthouse records.

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Updated 05/06/2009