Search Detroit Genealogy Records
Detroit holds some of the most extensive genealogy records in all of Michigan. The city's long history and diverse population created a rich archive of birth, death, marriage, immigration, and church records that researchers can access through the Wayne County Clerk, the Detroit Health Department, and the world-class Burton Historical Collection at Detroit Public Library. Whether you are tracing roots back to the 1700s or looking for records from last century, Detroit has resources to help you find what you need.
Detroit Overview
Detroit Vital Records
Detroit vital records are split between two offices. The Wayne County Clerk holds county-wide records. The Detroit Health Department keeps city-specific birth and death records. This dual system matters when you search. If your ancestor lived in Detroit city limits, start with the Health Department. If they lived in a smaller Wayne County community, start with the county clerk.
The Wayne County Clerk is at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. Their phone is 313-224-0270. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. They hold birth records from 1867, death records from 1867, and marriage records from 1833. Birth records are restricted under MCL 333.2882, which limits access to the individual, their parents, or those with a legal interest. Death and marriage records are more open to the public.
The Detroit Health Department is the place to go for city-specific records. Their office is at 1151 Taylor Street, Room 104B, Detroit, MI 48202. Phone: 313-876-4133 or 313-876-4927. They hold Detroit birth records from 1893 and death records from 1897. These records cover births and deaths that happened within Detroit city limits. If your ancestor was born or died in the city before those dates, check the Burton Historical Collection or the Wayne County Clerk for earlier materials.
| Record Type | Dates | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Birth (Detroit city) | 1893-present | Detroit Health Department |
| Death (Detroit city) | 1897-present | Detroit Health Department |
| Birth (Wayne County) | 1867-present | Wayne County Clerk |
| Marriage | 1833-present | Wayne County Clerk |
| Probate | 1797-present | Wayne County Probate Court |
Note: Under MCL 333.2882 and MCL 333.2884, Michigan birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Death records are generally public. Certified copies cost $15 per record at both offices.
Burton Historical Collection
The Burton Historical Collection at Detroit Public Library is the single best genealogy resource in the state. It holds records going back to the 1700s. Few collections anywhere in Michigan match its depth for Wayne County and Detroit research. If you are serious about tracing Detroit ancestry, this is where you go.
The Burton is at 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. Phone: 313-481-1401. Email: bhc@detroitpubliclibrary.org. Access is by appointment only, so contact them before you visit. The collection covers vital records, cemetery records, church registers, immigration documents, city directories, and newspapers stretching back centuries. It is a rare archive by any measure.
The Burton genealogical resources page lists specific holdings and how to search them. Key holdings include Wayne County birth records 1867-1870, Wayne County marriage records 1832-1869, Detroit death index 1920 to current on microfiche, Wayne County coroner files 1865-1906, and burial transit permits 1941-1953. The Burton also has early vital records that predate formal state registration.
The Burton Historical Collection is open by appointment. Contact bhc@detroitpubliclibrary.org to schedule your visit and discuss your research needs.
The selected genealogical resources page at the Burton covers the full range of records available, including immigration, church, and cemetery collections not found elsewhere in Michigan.
Detroit Cemetery and Church Records
Cemetery and church records fill many gaps left by incomplete vital records registration. Detroit has one of the richest collections of both in the state. Ste. Anne Church, founded in 1701, is the oldest parish in Michigan. Its registers from 1704 to 1848 are held at the Burton Collection and cover baptisms, marriages, and burials from the earliest French colonial period. If your family came to Detroit before the 1800s, Ste. Anne records may be your starting point.
Major Detroit cemeteries documented in the Burton's holdings include Elmwood Cemetery (records 1853-1992), Mt. Elliott Cemetery (1845-1997), Woodmere Cemetery (1868-1888), and Detroit City Cemetery (1854-1861). The Burton holds these on microfilm and in manuscript form. Elmwood Cemetery is one of the oldest in the state and contains the graves of many prominent Detroit families and public figures. These burial records often include age, place of birth, and names of family members, making them valuable supplements to formal death certificates.
Protestant and Catholic church records round out the picture. The Burton holds records from First Presbyterian Church (1833-1963), Central Methodist Church (1820-1970), Christ Church (1846-1906), Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (1911-1969), and more. For researchers tracing African American ancestry in Detroit, Bethel AME records and the resources of the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society are especially useful.
Detroit Immigration and Ethnic Genealogy Records
Detroit was a major entry point for immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Port of Detroit records are a key source. The Burton Collection holds card manifests of entries through the Port of Detroit from 1906 to 1954. Naturalization records from Detroit Recorders Court cover 1854 to 1906. Declarations of intent from the same court run from 1860 to 1906. These documents name the immigrant, their country of origin, arrival date, and sometimes their home address in Detroit.
Detroit's many ethnic genealogical societies are a major resource. The Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society focuses on African American ancestry and is based at the Burton Collection. The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan (c/o Burton Collection) maintains Polish-specific indexes and records. The Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan meets at the Gaelic League/Irish American Club at 2068 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216. The French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan (P.O. Box 1900, Royal Oak, MI 48068) is especially useful given how many early Detroit families came from Quebec. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Michigan (P.O. Box 251693, West Bloomfield, MI 48325) and the Michigan Italian Genealogy Society (miitaliangs@gmail.com) serve those communities. Each society offers research help, databases, and access to specialized records.
The Detroit Historical Society at 5401 Woodward Ave. holds photographs, manuscripts, and city history materials that supplement formal genealogy records and help place ancestors in their historical context.
Online Detroit Genealogy Resources
Several free online tools can help you start or extend your Detroit genealogy research before visiting in person. Michiganology is the Archives of Michigan's free database covering death certificates from 1897 to 1952. It is the easiest way to find early Detroit death records without a trip to any office. Search by name, county, or year.
The FamilySearch Wiki for Wayne County lists what records exist, where they are held, and which are available online. FamilySearch also has digitized microfilm from the Burton Collection, including some vital records and church registers. The Wayne County MIGenWeb site has transcriptions, indexes, and research tips contributed by local volunteers. Wayne State University Archives (5401 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, phone 313-577-4024) holds labor history, urban affairs, and ethnic community records that can be useful for 20th century family research.
Detroit city directories from 1837 to 1941 are a major finding tool at the Burton. These list residents by name and address and can help track a family's movements across the city. One important research note: Detroit renumbered its streets on January 1, 1921. An address before that date may look completely different from the same house after 1921. Always check both numbering systems when using directories from around that period.
Note: Michigan birth record access is governed by MCL 333.2885. Records less than 100 years old require proof of direct interest to access.
Nearby Cities
Other Wayne County cities near Detroit also maintain genealogy records through the county clerk. Researchers working across the metro area may find records in more than one city.
Wayne County Genealogy Records
Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County. All vital records for the county run through the Wayne County Clerk, and probate records go back to 1797. The county page has full details on offices, fees, online access, and available record types across the whole county.