Bay 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

Bay County, Michigan Facts

When was Bay County, MI Created?
Bay County was created on April 20 1857 from Midland County, Saginaw County and Arenac County.

What is the County Seat of Bay County, MI?
The County Seat is located in Bay City also, the county government website is www.baycounty-mi.gov/.

What counties are adjacent to Bay County, MI?
Bordering Counties are Arenac County, Gladwin County, Tuscola County, Midland County, Saginaw County.

Bay County, MI Vital Records

Where can find Bay County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Bay 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 Bay 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.

Bay County, MI Census Records

What Bay County, MI census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Bay County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Bay Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Bay Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Bay 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

Bay County, MI Courthouse and Government Records

Bay County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Bay County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Bay 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 Bay 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.

Bay County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 515 Center Avenue Bay City MI 48708-5122
Bay County Clerk
- Phone: 989-895-4280
- Births & Deaths: 1867
- Marriage Records: 1867
Bay County Register of Deeds
- Phone: (989) 895-4228
- Land Records: 1835
Bay County Clerk of the Probate Court
- Address: 1230 Washington Ave. Bay City MI 48708
- Phone: (989) 895-4205
- Probate Records: 1857
Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Address: 1230 Washington Ave. Bay City MI 48708
- Phone: (989) 895-4265
- Court Records: 1883
Michigan Land Records
Michigan Probate Records 1797-1973
BLM Land Records

Bay County, MI Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Bay County, MI?
A list of Bay County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Michigan Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Bay County Genealogical Society PO Box 1366 Bay City MI 48706-0366
Bay County Historical Society – Museum 321 Washington Avenue Bay City Michigan 48708; (517) 893-5733
Saginaw River Marine Historical Society Dept. W Box 2051 Bay City MI 48707-2051
Bay Journal (bay-journal.com)
Saginaw River Marine Historical Society Dept. W Box 2051 Bay City MI 48707-2051
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 Bay County, MI Researchers through message boards and forums?

Michigan Genealogy Network Community (plus.google.com)

State of Michigan Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
Bay County Michigan Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Bay County
Bay County, Michigan Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)

What other genealogical resources are available in Bay County, MI?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Bay 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.

Bay 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 Bay County genealogists, researchers, historians plus much more.