Westland Genealogy Records
Westland genealogy records are filed through the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit. Westland was incorporated as a city in 1966, but the land was part of Nankin Township before that, and Wayne County vital records go back to 1833 for marriages and 1867 for births and deaths. If you have family roots in Westland or the surrounding area, the Wayne County Clerk is your primary source for certified records. Local resources like the Westland Public Library can also support your family history search with local history materials and genealogy assistance.
Westland Overview
Wayne County Clerk Vital Records
Wayne County vital records are held at the County Clerk's Records Division. The address is Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. The phone number is 313-224-0270. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The county website is at waynecounty.com.
Wayne County has one of the largest collections of vital records in Michigan. Birth records go back to 1867, and those under 100 years are restricted to eligible persons. Death records from 1867 onward are public. Marriage records dating to 1833 are also available. Probate records in Wayne County go back to 1797, which is unusually deep for the state. Land records start in 1835. These deep collections make Wayne County a strong research destination if your family lived anywhere in the county, including Westland and the former Nankin Township area.
Under MCL 333.2882, the county clerk is responsible for registering and maintaining all vital records within the county. Wayne County follows that requirement for all Westland records. If you are not sure whether a record belongs to Westland or to the earlier Nankin Township, the county clerk can help you search both.
Wayne County also has a Westland Michigan FamilySearch Center, which is a free local resource where you can access genealogy databases and get help from trained volunteers.
Westland Public Library Genealogy Resources
The Westland Public Library offers genealogy and family history resources for local researchers. The library is a good starting point if you want to search online databases or look through local history materials before making a trip to the county courthouse. Staff can often help you find the right starting point for your research.
The screenshot below shows the Westland Public Library website, where you can find library hours and contact information.
Libraries in Wayne County often provide access to Ancestry Library Edition and other subscription databases that you cannot use for free at home. Visiting a Wayne County library is a low-cost way to search large national genealogy databases without paying for a subscription. The Westland Public Library is worth checking before you commit to a full in-person research trip to Detroit.
Under MCL 333.2884, birth and death events must be registered locally at the time they occur. Records created in the Westland area after incorporation in 1966 are under Wayne County jurisdiction. Records from the Nankin Township era fall under the same county system but may need to be searched under township headings.
Westland Records Before 1966
Westland was carved out of Nankin Township when it incorporated in 1966. That matters for genealogy because any records for residents who lived here before 1966 will be filed under Nankin Township, not Westland. The Wayne County Clerk maintains those older township records. If you are researching family members who were born, married, or died in this area before 1966, search for Nankin Township in the county's indexes.
Some of the oldest local records from this part of Wayne County date to the mid-1800s. These can include church records, school records, and local cemetery records that were never formally filed with the county. Local historical societies and the Wayne County section of the Michigan FamilySearch network may have some of those materials.
Michiganology is a free resource with Michigan death certificates from 1897 to 1952. Many Wayne County residents from that span, including those in the Nankin Township area that became Westland, will appear in the database. Searches are free and no account is required. This is one of the fastest ways to find pre-1966 records for Westland-area families.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains statewide records under MCL 333.2885. You can call MDHHS at 517-335-8666 to ask about ordering records from the state level if you cannot locate what you need at the county.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are in Wayne County or nearby. Each city page covers how genealogy records are handled in that area.
Wayne County Genealogy Records
Westland is in Wayne County. All vital records for Westland residents, as well as earlier Nankin Township records, are held by the Wayne County Clerk. The county page has full details on records available, fees, contact info, and how to order copies.