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Wayne County, Michigan
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Wayne County, Michigan Facts
When was Wayne County, MI Created?
Wayne County was created on November 21, 1815 from all lands within Michigan Territory that had been ceded by Native Americans through the 1807 Treaty of Detroit. It was an originally County.
What is the County Seat of Wayne County, MI?
The County Seat is located in Detroit also, the county government website is www.waynecounty.com/.
What counties are adjacent to Wayne County, MI?
Bordering Counties are Washtenaw County, Monroe County, Macomb County, Oakland County Essex County Ontario (east southeast).
Wayne County, MI Vital Records
Where can find Wayne County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Wayne County vital records can be found at the Michigan Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records since 1867. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Michigan for current fees and application process.
You can search online for Wayne County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Michigan Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives Michigan Marriage Project
- Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995
- Michigan Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911
- Michigan Births, 1867-1902
- Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925
- Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952
- Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1935
- Michigan Marriages to 1850
- Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995
- Michigan Marriages, 1851-1875
- Michigan Divorce Records, 1897-1952
- Michigan Deaths and Burials Index, 1867-1995
- Michigan Deaths and Burials 1800-1995
- Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996
- Michigan Death Records, 1897-1920
- Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952
- Michigan Death Index, 1971-1996
- Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897
Wayne County, MI Census Records
What Wayne County, MI census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Wayne County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Wayne Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wayne Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wayne Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Michigan Census Records Research Guide
Wayne County, MI Courthouse and Government Records
Wayne County CourthouseWhat genealogical records can I find in the Wayne County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Wayne County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Michigan courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Michigan residents.
The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Wayne County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Michigan Corthouse Records Research Guide.
- Wayne County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 201 City-County Building, Detroit, MI 48226
- Wayne County Clerk
- Phone: 313-224-6262
- Births & Deaths: 1867
- Marriage Records: 1842
- Wayne County Register of Deeds
- Address: 400 Monroe, 7th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: (313) 224-5854
- Land Records: 1703
- Wayne County Clerk of the Probate Court
- Address: 1307 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: (313) 224-5706
- Probate Records: 1797
- Wayne County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Address: 421 Madison Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: (313) 224-5261
- Court Records: 1818
- Documents relating to the erection of Wayne County and Michigan Territory
- Minutes of the meetings of the Village Council of Hamtramck
- Michigan Land Records
- Michigan Probate Records 1797-1973
- BLM Land Records
Wayne County, MI Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Wayne County, MI?
A list of Wayne County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Michigan Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Canton Historical Society P.O. Box 87362 Canton MI 48187-0362; 734-397-0088.
- Dearborn Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1112 Dearborn 48121
- Dearborn Historical Society 915 Brady Dearborn 48124
- Detroit Society for Genealogical Research Inc. c/o Burton Historical Collection Detroit Public Library 5201 Woodward Avenue Detroit MI 48202
- Detroit Historical Society 5401 Woodward Detroit 48202
- Downriver Genealogical Society P.O. Box 476 Lincoln Park 48146
- Flat Rock Historical Society P.O. Box 337 Flat Rock MI 48134; (734) 782-1269
- Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society c/o Burton Historical Collection Detroit Public Library 5201 Woodward Avenue Detroit MI 48202
- Lincoln Park Historical Society P.O. Box 476 Lincoln Park 48146
- Northville Genealogical Society P.O. Box 932 Northville MI 48167
- Plymouth Historical Society 155 S. Main St. Plymouth 48170; (734) 455-8940
- Polish Genealogical Society Of Michigan 5201 Woodward Ave. Detroit 48202-4007
- Romulus Historical Society 11121 Wayne Rd. Romulus 48174
- Redford Township Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 401175 Redford Michigan 48240-9175
- West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society 3245 Junction Street Detroit MI. 48210
- Wayne County Irish Society 31975 Cowan Westland 48185
- Western Wayne County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 530063 Livonia 48153-0063
- Wyandotte Historical Society 2624 Biddle Avenue Wyandotte Michigan 48192; 734-324-7299
- State Archives of Michigan, 702 W Kalamazoo Str, P.O. Box 30738, Lansing, MI 48909-8238; (517) 373-1408
- Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48909
- Historical Society of Michigan, 1305 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823; (517) 324-1828
Where can I connect with other Wayne County, MI Researchers through message boards and forums?
- https://www.archives.gov/research/census
- Michigan Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)
- State of Michigan Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Wayne County Michigan Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Wayne County
- Wayne County, Michigan Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Wayne County, MI?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Wayne County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a fee. This is just a list that has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.
Wayne Co. MI Books, Newspapers & Publications
- Michigan Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- Michigan historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from Michigan (1837 – 1995) (genealogybank.com)
- Wayne County Michigan Books (amazon.com)
- Wayne County Michgan Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
- Search Michigan Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
Wayne Co. MI Cemeteries & Church Records
- Michigan Cemetery Research Guide
- Wayne Co. Michigan Graves (findagrave.com)
- Wayne County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Web: Michigan Find A Grave Index 1805-2011 (search.ancestry.com)
- Wayne Co. Michigan Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Topographic Cemetery List and Map for Wayne County Michigan
- Wayne Co. Michigan Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Michigan Church & Bible Research Guide
- Topographic Church List and Map for Wayne County Michigan
- Bible records Michigan (search.ancestry.com)
- Michigan Christenings 1775-1995 (familysearch.org)
- Wayne County Michigan Church Books (amazon.com)
Wayne Co. MI Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Create a Free Family Tree (ancestry.com)
- Michigan Family Group Sheet Project (fgs-project.com)
- Nichols and Related Families (nicholsgenealogy.com)
Wayne Co. MI General and History Websites
- Wayne County Michigan Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Wayne County – A Brief History (antiqueshopsinmichigan.com)
- Gentsch’s Dictionary of Detroit and its vicinity (search.ancestry.com)
- Historic Michigan land of the Great Lakes (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit and Northern Michigan Pleasure Resorts 1883 (search.ancestry.com)
- Landmarks of Wayne County and Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Landmarks of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- The history of Detroit and Michigan or The metropolis illustrated (search.ancestry.com)
- Wayne County Michigan Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Wayne Co. MI Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Wayne County Michigan (linkpendium.com) Family History & Genealogy, Census, Birth, Marriage, Death Vital Records & More
- Cyndi’s List – United States – Michigan – Counties – Wayne (cyndislist.com)
- Wayne County Michigan (genealogytrails.com)
- Wayne Co. MIGenweb (migenweb.net)
- Wayne County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Wayne Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Wayne Co. MI Immigration & Naturalization
- See Also Statewide Immigration and Naturalization Links for Michigan
- Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists 1905-1957 (search.ancestry.com)
- Michigan Eastern District Naturalizations (search.ancestry.com)
Wayne Co. MI Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of Michigan Links and Information
- Wayne Co. D.O.T. Base Maps (roads.michigan.gov)
- 1895 Wayne County Map (livgenmi.com)
Wayne Co. MI Military Records
- Michigan Military Records Research Guide
- Michigan Military Records (fold3.com) provides you with access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Michigan both males and females that served. Just the thing for Wayne County genealogists, researchers, historians plus much more.
- Michigan Military Records 1775-1836 (search.ancestry.com)
Wayne Co. MI Schools & Directories
- Detroit Michigan Directory 1890 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city [d]irectory for the year commencing August 1st 1895 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city directory for the year commencing August 1st 1894 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city directory for the year commencing August 1st 1893 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city directory for 1887 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city and Wayne County directory for 1886 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit city directory for 1879 (search.ancestry.com)
- Polk’s Dearborn (Wayne County Mich.) city directory 1948 (search.ancestry.com)
- Polk’s Dearborn (Wayne County Mich.) city directory 1946 (search.ancestry.com)
- J.W. Weeks & Co.’s annual directory of Detroit for 1876-77 (search.ancestry.com)
- J.W. Weeks & Co.’s annual directory of Detroit for 1875-76 (search.ancestry.com)
- J.W. Weeks & Co.’s annual directory of the inhabitants business firms incorporated companies etc. of Detroit for 1874-75 (search.ancestry.com)
- J.W. Weeks & Co.’s annual city directory of Detroit for 1873-4 (search.ancestry.com)
- Polk’s Dearborn (Wayne County Mich.) city directory 1943 (search.ancestry.com)
- Polk’s Dearborn (Wayne County Mich.) city directory 1941 (search.ancestry.com)
- Hubbell & Weeks’ annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms incorporated companies etc. of the city of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1870-71. (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1871-72. (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1869-70. (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1868-69. (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1867-68. (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark’s annual directory of the inhabitants incorporated companies business firms etc. in the city of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit blue book (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit blue book 1883 (search.ancestry.com)
- Johnston’s Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan (search.ancestry.com)
- Johnston’s Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan (search.ancestry.com)
- Johnson’s [sic] Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan for 1855-7 (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s Detroit blue book and ladies’ address book 1906 (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark & Co.’s annual city directory of the inhabitants business firms etc. of the city of Detroit 1866-67. (search.ancestry.com)
- Johnston’s Detroit directory and business advertiser for 1853-4 (search.ancestry.com)
- Burch & Polk’s Detroit city business directory 1872-73 (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark’s annual directory of the inhabitants incorporated companies business firms &c. of the city of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Johnston’s Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark’s annual directory of the inhabitants incorporated companies business firms etc. of the city of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Charles F. Clark’s annual directory of the inhabitants incorporated companies business firms etc. of the city of Detroit (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s Detroit blue book and ladies’ address book 1907 (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s Detroit blue book and ladies’ address book 1905 (search.ancestry.com)
- Shove’s business advertiser and Detroit directory for 1852-53 (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s blue book for Detroit and suburban towns (search.ancestry.com)
- The Blue book of Detroit and suburbs (search.ancestry.com)
- Holland’s Detroit business directory for 1869-70 (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s Detroit blue book and ladies’ address book 1908 (search.ancestry.com)
- Dau’s blue book for Detroit and suburban towns (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit blue book 1881 (search.ancestry.com)
- Detroit pocket business directory of leading firms (search.ancestry.com)
- Directory of Negro businesses professions and churches for Detroit and environs (search.ancestry.com)
- Directory Vinewood Avenue Church of Christ (search.ancestry.com)
- Directory 1947 (search.ancestry.com)
