Finding Your Washtenaw County Ancestors

  • The boundaries of Washtenaw County were established on 10 September 1822 from the parent counties of Wayne and Oakland. The first settlements were established in 1823-1824. Townships were created starting in 1827.
  • Ann Arbor was founded in 1824, incorporated as a village in 1833, and chartered as a city in 1851.
  • Washtenaw County, Territory of Michigan, was attached to Wayne County for governmental purposes until it completed the legal process of organization on 31 December 1826. The county was established on 1 January 1827 with the county seat in Ann Arbor. Some record-keeping began in 1827.
  • Michigan became the 26th state on 26 January 1837.

Archives and Libraries

  • Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) [catalog]
    • "AADL Archives," AADL (local history)
    • FamilySearch Affiliate Library
  • Chelsea District Library [catalog]
    • Stories of Chelsea. This robust local history collection includes videos, documentaries, historic photos and newspapers, Around Town with Linda episodes, obituaries, and birth and death records.
    • ​Archives in the library basement are closed to the public, but an excellent description of its holdings is available at the second-floor reference desk. Ask for the binder called "Local History Finding Aid." Library staff will retrieve desired items and bring them up to one of the study rooms. A portable micofilm reader can be brought up by staff to the second floor, if needed. A guide to sources for researching house histories is available separately.
    • Archival collections include history of Chelsea and nearby townships, Chelsea Schools, Chelsea District Library, Woman's Club of Chelsea (1931-2007), McManus Photographs (1880-1981), Vern Otto Photographs (1976), 125th Anniversary (1959), Automotive History (1903-1956), and Veterans and Wars (1881-2016).
    • An online research request form may be filled out and submitted in advance of the visit.
  • Dexter District Library [catalog]
    • ​FamilySearch Affiliate Library
    • A binder kept at the reference desk lists the library’s local history holdings--books, atlases, gazetteers, and unpublished material stored in a long, closed cabinet with shelves and drawers and books on open shelving.
    • The complete run of newspapers The Dexter Leader and Washtenaw Now have been digitized. The images are accessible and word-searchable from library computers. Scans can be saved and emailed for offsite access.
    • The library is equipped with a printer, portable scanners that can be used at library computers, a slide/negative scanner that can be used in-house, and an Epson FastFoto scanner that can be used in-house.
    • Open seven days a week, M-F 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-5pm, and Sun 1pm-5pm.
  • Manchester District Library [catalog] [Facebook]
    • ​FamilySearch Affiliate Library 
    • Claire Reck Local History Room is accessible from the reading room of the library via elevator or stairs. Formerly on the second floor of the library, the room is now located one floor down from the city offices. The city and library share the building. 
    • The room is staffed on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm by a dedicated volunteer. Calling ahead for an appointment so that materials may be prepared for you is recommended, but not required. The library staff will escort you down to the room if the volunteer has the room open and is present. Depending on her availability, the volunteer may be able to come in on other days of the week. 
    • For appointments, call 734.428.8045 or email localhistory@manchesterlibrary.info. 
    • Holdings include cemetery readings, books, historic documents, photographs, maps, atlases, genealogies, and vertical files relating to Manchester and the surrounding townships of Bridgewater, Freedom, Manchester, and Sharon.
    • Unique items include the Manchester Enterprise archives (hardcover books and CDs 1867-2002); Jenter Funeral Home records (1905-1915), indexed; Gumper Hospital records (birth and death certificates 1936-1963); Sarah Lovejoy Scrapbook of clippings (birth, death and marriage notices 1890-1920), indexed; Manchester Area Historical Society Calendars 1984-2002. Hardcopy of Landsmen of Washtenaw County, by Paul Peck (1986).
    • The room is equipped with a computer station with Internet access, a printer, and a large table. The Konica Minolta MS6000 MKII microfilm reader awaits repair.
  • Milan Public Library [catalog]
    • Local History and Genealogy Resources - The Phillips Room is a multipurpose room for genealogy, public meetings, and staff space. *Appointment required.* Table space is limited.
    • Aid to Genealogists. Seventeen numbered volumes of obituaries mounted scrapbook style, about 150 pages per volume, three to six obituary clippings per page. Dates, but newspaper not identified. Index, three volumes. Scanning project underway.  
    • Death Records of Milan Area 1885-1904, by Lillian Eggert Brown. 1982. Records containing 948 names were found in an old book believed to have been recorded by Charles E. Wilson, who at one time might have been coroner of the Milan area. The death records begin with May 6, 1885 through May 16, 1904. Includes cemetery burials. 
    • Master Index to Milan Village Death Records and Milan Viilage Birth Records, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties, by Millard F. Phillips. 1995. Death records 12 Dec 1902 to 20 Aug 1966. Birth records 4 Sep 1905 to 10 Oct 1964. 
    • Index to vital records York Township, Washtenaw County, 1907-1949
    • York Township History: First Schools, Early Settlers, Mooreville, compiled by Martha Churchill, April 17, 2015.
    • Compiled genealogies of Milan area families; Bible transcriptions; Milan News-Leader 1976-2018 (not digitized); Milan High School annuals and index; atlases and plat maps
    • The library is equipped with a scanner. Scans may be emailed for free. OK to bring a portable scanner. 
    • Open Mon/Wed/Fri 10am - 6pm; Tues/Thurs 1pm - 8pm; and Sat 10am - 4pm.
  • Saline District Library [catalog]
  • Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) [catalog]
  • Ypsilanti Historical Society Museum & Archives [catalog]

back to list of topics

Atlases and Maps

back to list of topics

Bible Records

back to list of topics

Cemetery Records

  • "Washtenaw County MI Cemetery Records," LDS Genealogy
    • Links to cemetery records listed at major websites by location: Ancestry, Archive Grid, Billion Graves, Family History Library, Find a Grave, Genealogy Trails, Interment.net, JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry (JOWBR), MyHeritage, National Cemetery Administration, USGenWeb Archives, WorldCat
  • FamilySearch: Washtenaw County Cemeteries in the FamilySearch Catalog
  • Billion Graves: Washtenaw County cemeteries with over 20 images (FamilySearch index)
  • Find A Grave: Washtenaw County cemetery memorials (FamilySearch index)
  • Interment.net: Washtenaw County cemetery transcriptions

back to list of topics

Census Records

  • "Michigan Census Records Research Guide," Library of Michigan
    • Michigan Territorial Census: included in 1800-1830 U.S. Federal Census but was lost for 1800, 1810.
  • "State Censuses of Michigan: A Tragedy of Lost Treasures." Barnett. Family Trails 6:1 (Summer/Fall, 1978): 1-20.
  • "Michigan State Census" (1827-1894), database, Michiganology
    • 1827: Washtenaw (Territorial Census)
    • 1834: Washtenaw (Territorial Census)
    • 1845: Eaton, Lenawee, St. Joseph, Washtenaw
    • 1854: Branch, Eaton
    • 1864: Clinton, Eaton, Houghton, Sanilac
    • 1874: Branch, Eaton, Houghton, Kalamazoo
    • 1884: Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Jackson, Kalamazo, Kent, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Lenawee, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, Washtenaw, Wayne (includes mortality schedule, month/place of marriages in the year)
    • 1888: Civil War Veteran Census, manuscript at Archives of Michigan
    • 1894: Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Iosco, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Leeleau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Menominee, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa, St. Clair, Sanilac, Washtenaw (includes mortality schedule)
    • 1904: Statistical Returns (Ancestry, $)
  • "State Archives Circular No. 9, State Census Records in the State Archives," Archives of Michigan (not online)
  • "Michigan State Census: 1827, 1834, 1845, 1850, and 1870 State Censuses, Washtenaw County, 1827-1870." [L/M Microfilm: F572.W3 M53 1827 r.4]
  • "Michigan, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1827-1870," Ancestry (index, $)
    • Incorporates 1827 Territorial Census, 1837 Kalamazoo County, 1840 Pensioners List, 1845 State Census, Michigan portion of 1840-1870 U.S. Census, Early Census Index
  • "1830 U.S. Census of Michigan Territory: Washtenaw County," transcription, MIGenWeb
  • "Washtenaw County MI Census Records" (1840-1950), LDS Genealogy
  • United States Census Bureau
    • Agency History, Census Records & Family History, Historical Censuses & Surveys, Galleries & Archives

back to list of topics

Church Records

back to list of topics

City and County Directories

  • "City and County Directories" (1868-2001) for Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw Co. (varies by year); online and in the public domain, Ann Arbor District Library
  • "Washtenaw County, Michigan, Online Historical Directories" (1860s-1940s), Miriam J. Robbins, Online Historical Directories
  • Washtenaw County Directories: 1965/66-1973, 1975-1989/90, 1991/92, 1993/94. [L/M JS3.M52 W3z]
    • Ann Arbor city and Washtenaw County directory for 1886-7: containing an alphabetically arranged list of business firms, farmers and private citizens, a classified list of all trades, professions and pursuits, a miscellaneous directory of city and county officers, public and private schools, banks, churches, incorporated institutions, secret and benevolent societies, etc.,  1886. [L/M MICROFICHE LH5296]
  • "Washtenaw County MI City Directories" (1868-1960), LDS Genealogy

back to list of topics

Courthouse Records

  • Wills and estates beginning in 1827 (1837 per FamilySearch Wiki) are at the Probate Court office. See sections on Land Records. and Vital Records below.

back to list of topics

Families of Washtenaw County

  • "Chelsea District Library Family History Index Online," Chelsea District Library
    • Formerly known as the Obituary File, an index card file started in the 1950s by Harold A. Jones
    • Over 15,500 records of Chelsea residents from its founding in 1834 to the present.
    • Records include name information about the decedent, parents, spouses, and children, as well as dates of birth and death, places of birth and death, cemetery, funeral home, date of obituary, and an image of the complete obituary where available.
  • Genealogy Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan from Germany, Terry Stollsteimer
    • ​475 families (5/9/2025)

back to list of topics

Genealogical and Historical Societies

back to list of topics

Land Records

  • Washtenaw County deeds and mortgages begin in 1827 (1835 per FamilySearch Wiki) and are at the Register of Deeds office. The GSWC Library has microfilm copies of the grantor/grantee indexes, 1827-1905.

back to list of topics

Local History

  1. ​​Online and Onsite Collections
  2. “General Photograph Collection, ca. 1860-1990”
  3. "State Government Records" (Select in drop-down.)
  4. "Local Government Records" (Select in drop-down.)​
​INDEXES: PUBLIC ACCESS
​INDEXES: MEMBER-ONLY ACCESS
*After logon, members see these indexes in the navigation menu
  • Under Washtenaw Research
  • Under Members > Member Only Downloads
  • 1894 Census Index (*) - Index, 1894 State Census for Washtenaw County, Michigan, Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter, D.A.R.
  • 19th C. Plat Map Indexes (*) - Indexes to 1856 and 1864 Plat Maps of Washtenaw County
    • Introduction to the 1856 (and 1864) Name Index
    • Name Index to the 1856 Plat Maps, Nancy H. Krohn and Mary L. Liskow, compilers, GSWC
    • Name Index to the 1864 Plat Maps, Nancy H. Krohn and Mary L. Liskow, compilers, GSWC
  • Christman's Index (*) - Index: Ann Arbor: The Changing Scene by Adam Christman, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
  • Mann's Ypsilanti Index (*) - Index: Ypsilanti: A History in Pictures by James Thomas Mann, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
  • Shackman's Index (*) - Index: Ann Arbor in the 19th Century: A Photographic History, by Grace Shackman, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
  • Stephenson's Index (*) - Index: Ann Arbor: The First Hundred Years by O. W. Stephenson, Ellen Stamelos, compiler, GSWC
  • Trout Vital Record Index (*) - Index: Vital Records of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Mary Jane Trout, compiler, Ypsilanti Chapter, D.A.R.

back to list of topics

Military Records

back to list of topics

Newspapers and Obituaries

  • A History of the Newspapers of Ann Arbor, 1829-1920, Louis W. Doll. Detroit, Wayne State University Press, 1959, 184 pp. [download pdf]
  • Digital Michigan Newspaper Portal: 66 listings for Washtenaw County, Clarke Historical Library
  • Newspapers at the Library of Michigan:
    • Ann Arbor News, 1937-2009
    • Chelsea Standard, 1908-2013
    • Dexter Leader, 1869-1970
    • Manchester Enterprise, 1867-1991
    • Ypsilanti Sentinel, 1844-1880
    • The One Hundred-Fifty Years of History: The Ann Arbor News, 1835-1985. ed. Adaline Adams. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor News, 1985. (facsimiles) [Oversize AP2.A5 A55 1985]
  • Newspapers at Ann Arbor District Library:
    • Ann Arbor News, 11 June 2003 - 23 July 2009; 1 Jan 2016 - present
    • AADL Archives : Research Tips: How to Search AADL's Archives
      • Agenda, 1986-1998
      • Ann Arbor Argus, 1888-1898
      • Ann Arbor Argus-Democrat, 1898-1899
      • Ann Arbor Courier, 1880-1888
      • Ann Arbor Democrat, 1880-1898
      • Ann Arbor News, 1927-2009
      • Ann Arbor Register, 1880-1899
      • Ann Arbor Sun, 1967-1976
      • Michigan Argus, 1860-1879
      • Signal of Liberty, 1841-1848, and Michigan Liberty Press, 1848
    • Search for: "Community Collections," 1,883 clipped articles and photos; "Photographs," 5,190 items; "Old News," 10,000 items; About Old News (transcribed articles)
  • Newspapers at Chelsea District Library:
    • Search Newspapers with links to browse by Year and by Publication; Tutorial
      • Chelsea Standard, 1890-1893
      • The Chelsea Herald, 1873-1909
      • The Chelsea Standard, 1895-2019
      • The Chelsea Standard-Herald, 1906-1908
      • The Chelsea Tribune, 1917-1923
      • The Dexter Leader, 1988
      • The Sun Times News, 2010-2019
      • Washtenaw Now, 2010-2019
    • "Family History Index Online" (obituaries, etc.)
      • Click on the surname link to get details for that person.
  • Newspapers at Milan Public Library:
    • Ethnic Newpapers and Periodicals in Michigan: A Checklist. Richard J. Hathaway, ed. Michigan Archival Association, 1978. [LH&G 070.03 ETHNIC]
    • Milan Newspapers: Index to Microfilm and Microfiche. comp. Millard Frank Phillips. 1995. [LH&G 070.1 MILAN]
  • Newspapers at Manchester District Library:
    • Index to the Manchester Enterprise, vol. 1-50, Oct 1867-Sept 1916, comp. Alan Frank Dyer. [REF 071.7435 DYE V.1] [REF 071.7435 DYE V.2]
  • Newspapers at Northfield Township Area Library:
    • Celebrating Our History: 160 Years of the Ann Arbor News. Marceline, Mo.: Heritage House, 1995. [MICH 977.435 Cel] (photographs submitted readers)
  • Newspapers at Saline District Library:
    • Newspaper Genealogical Column Directory, 4th edition. Anita Cheek Milner. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1989. [LH 929.302 Mil]
    • Ann Arbor News (formerly Ann Arbor.com), twice weekly. [News AAN]
    • Ann Arbor Observer. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor Observer Co. [News Obs]
    • Saline Review. [LH Microfilm SRe] (digital version online)
    • Washtenaw Now, 10 April 2014 - 25 June 2015, Heritage Papers, Saline, Mich., weekly. [LH 977.4 Was]. PDF files on 3 CDs, searchable. "Merger of Chelsea Standard, Dexter Leader, Manchester Enterprise, Milan News-Leader, Saline Reporter, Ypsilanti Courier." Back issues on microfilm since 1995. [News Wash]
  • Newspapers at Ypsilanti District Library:
    • Ethnic Newpapers and Periodicals in Michigan: A Checklist. Richard J. Hathaway, ed. Michigan Archival Association, 1978. [RMC 070.172 Mic]
    • Historical Perspective: A Selective Look at the Past Through Ypsilanti Newspapers, Ann Smith, 1983. [REF MICHIGAN 977.435 Yps no. 8]
  • Newspapers at Chronicling America:
  • Michigan Online Historical Newspapers (MOHN), Miriam Robbins Midkiff
    • GenealogyBank listings ($):
      • Ann Arbor Daily Argus, 1898-1907
      • Ann Arbor Daily Times, 1903-1908
      • Ann Arbor Democrat, 1878-1898
      • Ann Arbor Local News, 1857-1860
      • Ann Arbor News, 1906-1922; obituaries 2003-current; obituaries on the web 2009-current
      • Ann Arbor News Argus, 1907-1908
      • Michigan Argus, 1835-1907
      • Signal of Liberty, 1841-1847
      • True Democrat, 1845-1849
    • Other MOHN listings are similar to those in "Ann Arbor Newspapers at Google News" and "Chronicling America" above.
  • "Washtenaw County MI Newspapers and Obituaries," LDS Genealogy

back to list of topics

Queries and Lookups

back to list of topics

Research Assistance and Where to Write

back to list of topics

Vital Records

ABOUT VITAL RECORDS
 
The Clerk's Office has birth/death records starting 1867 and marriage records starting 1833.
 
[1] Records Search for Marriage/Death from County Clerk
  • Marriage Record Search (after January 1959)
  • Death Certificate Search (after January 1959)
  • For earlier birth and death records, contact Vital Records (734-222-6720).
[2] Vital Records: Certified Copies from County Clerk
  • Request a certified copy of birth or death record, 1867 to present.
  • Request a certified copy of marriage record, 1833 to present.
  • How Do I... request land records and genealogy records (birth, marriage, death)
  • Form: Request for Certified Copies (birth, marriage, death), Washtenaw County Clerk's Office
[3] Death Records: Uncertified Copies from Michiganology

back to list of topics

Washtenaw County Bibliography and Publications

back to list of topics

Washtenaw County Cities, Villages, and Townships

Michigan has cities and villages, but not towns. Whenever the word "town" is used here, such as in census records, it means "township". Townships comprise 96% of Michigan lands outside of cities. See "Townships in Michigan" with a state map from the Michigan Townships Association.

back to list of topics

Washtenaw County Web Pages

back to list of topics

Updated 6/12/22 SLB; 1/30/23 SLB; 2/16/24 SLB; 2/25/24 JHT; 9/9/24 SLB; 12/31/24 SLB