Access Mason County Genealogy Records
Mason County genealogy records are kept at the county clerk's office in Ludington, on Michigan's western Lake Michigan shoreline. The clerk holds birth records from 1867, death records from the same year, and marriage records going back to 1855. The county's roots in the lumbering era make it a distinctive place for tracing ancestors who worked in the timber trade.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Clerk Records
The Mason County Clerk at 304 E. Ludington Ave. in Ludington handles all vital records requests for the county. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone number is 231-845-0517. The fax is 231-845-0519 for written requests. Staff can look up records by name and year and issue certified copies during your visit.
Birth records are restricted under MCL 333.2882. Records less than 100 years old are only available to the person named, their parents, a legal guardian, or a proven heir. Older birth records are open for genealogy research. Death and marriage records are public. The fee per certified copy is $15, as set by MCL 333.2884.
For records you cannot get at the clerk, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (phone 517-335-8666) is the statewide office. They maintain vital records for all Michigan counties.
| Office | Mason County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431 |
| Phone | 231-845-0517 |
| Fax | 231-845-0519 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Vital Records in Mason County
Birth records in Mason County date from 1867. Under MCL 333.2885, certified copies of recent birth records are restricted to eligible individuals. Once a birth record reaches 100 years old, it becomes available for genealogy research. You can check the date on a birth to determine if a record is open. The clerk can help you figure out what you are eligible to request.
Death records start in 1867 and are public. Each copy costs $15. These records typically include the person's name, date of birth, date of death, cause of death, and the name and address of an informant, often a spouse or close family member. For early deaths, the informant name alone can point you to another branch of the family worth researching.
Marriage records in Mason County go back to 1855. They are public records. Older marriage records often list ages, birthplaces, and fathers' names for both the bride and groom. This detail is especially useful for tracing immigrant families who settled in Mason County during the lumbering boom of the 1870s through 1890s.
Historical Society and Lumbering Era Records
The Mason County Historical Society maintains local records and archives that go beyond vital records. Their collection reflects the county's lumbering heritage and the communities that grew up around the industry. If your ancestors worked in the lumber trade or in Ludington's port operations, this is a good resource to check.
The FamilySearch Wiki for Mason County gives a breakdown of available records and points to digitized collections. FamilySearch is free to use and has indexed many Michigan county records. Check there before making a trip to the clerk.
The Mason County MIGenWeb page has transcribed records, obituaries, and cemetery data contributed by volunteers. Local genealogy researchers often post unique finds here that are not in official databases. It is a good supplement to the clerk's records.
Searching Mason County Records Online
Several free online tools cover Mason County genealogy records. Michiganology offers free search of Michigan death certificates from 1897 through 1952. This covers a large portion of the early 20th century for Mason County. Results show the original death certificate image, which often includes family names and burial information.
The Michiganology vital records search is the fastest way to find an early 20th-century death record without contacting the clerk.
Michiganology pulls records from the Archives of Michigan. If you find a record there, you can visit the Archives in person at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing (517-373-1408) to get more detail or request additional materials from the same time period.
The Library of Michigan in Lansing holds genealogy resources including census records, newspaper archives, and other materials that can supplement Mason County research. Some materials are accessible remotely through their website.
Communities in Mason County
Mason County includes Ludington, Scottville, Freesoil, and several townships. None of these communities reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All genealogy requests for Mason County communities go through the county clerk in Ludington.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mason County. Researchers often check more than one county when families moved across lines or when records are missing locally.