Find Genealogy Records in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County has one of the richest collections of genealogy records in Michigan. The county clerk in Ann Arbor holds vital records going back to 1826, and the area is also home to three major research institutions: the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, and the Ann Arbor District Library. Researchers can access birth, death, marriage, court, land, and naturalization records through multiple channels, many of them free.

Washtenaw County Clerk - Vital Records

The Washtenaw County Clerk holds the official vital records for the county. The office is in downtown Ann Arbor. You can visit in person, call ahead to ask about specific records, or mail a written request. The clerk holds birth, death, and marriage records, along with naturalization papers and court records going back to 1835.

Birth records from 1867 onward are held at the county level. Under MCL 333.2882, births within the last 100 years are restricted to qualified individuals. Death records are public and available to anyone. Marriage records go back to 1867 and are also public. Naturalization records from 1835 forward are held by the county clerk. Court records go back to 1835 as well, and land records from the same year are at the Register of Deeds.

Fees are set by state law under MCL 333.2884 at $15 per copy. Certified copies cost more and carry the official seal. Plain copies work for genealogy research. A Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County volunteer is on-site every Thursday (except holidays) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to help researchers use death and marriage records at the clerk's office.

Records Available in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County has a broader range of accessible records than most Michigan counties. Here is what the clerk and related offices hold.

The Circuit Court in Ann Arbor handles divorce records and other court filings. Certified copies of restricted birth records require valid ID and documentation of relationship as set out in MCL 333.2885. The naturalization records from 1835 onward are an especially valuable resource for researchers tracing immigrant families who settled in the Ann Arbor area in the 19th century.

Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County

The Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County (GSWC) is one of the most active genealogical organizations in Michigan. Their library, currently in a storage facility in Ann Arbor and open by appointment only, contains an exceptional collection of local records that spans almost two centuries of county history. The society's website at washtenawgenealogy.org has a research request form and full details on how to access their holdings.

The GSWC website is the first stop for researchers seeking help with Washtenaw County genealogy records.

The GSWC library holds birth records from 1867 to 1913, marriage records from 1827 to 1912, and death records from 1867 to 1913. Beyond vital records, the collection includes grantor/grantee land deed indexes from 1827 to 1905, a probate index, cemetery readings, an index of early newspapers, and Washtenaw County plat maps from 1856, 1864, 1874, 1895, and 1915. Family vertical files and the GSWC Member Ancestor Surname Index help researchers find families that have already been partially researched by others.

GSWC volunteers are present every Thursday at the Vital Records Office of the County Clerk from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They can help researchers use death and marriage records on-site. This free in-person assistance makes Washtenaw County one of the easiest places in Michigan to get hands-on genealogy help. The society's Research Committee also provides limited research by appointment. Contact them through the research request form on their website to schedule a visit.

Bentley Historical Library at University of Michigan

The Bentley Historical Library is one of Michigan's premier research institutions for state history and genealogy. Located on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, the library is free and open to the public. It holds the Michigan Historical Collections, which are among the largest in the state, along with the University of Michigan archives.

The Bentley Historical Library holds extensive Michigan and Washtenaw County collections for genealogy research.

Researchers at the Bentley will find photographs, manuscripts, maps, newspapers on microfilm, and Civil War manuscripts. For Washtenaw County research, the library's Michigan Historical Collections often include materials specific to the county and to the Ann Arbor area. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Contact the library at 1150 Beal Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113, phone 734-764-3482, or email bentley.ref@umich.edu.

Ann Arbor District Library Archives

The Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) Archives offer genealogy services useful for researching the greater Ann Arbor area. The library provides obituary lookups, local history research, and access to yearbooks and photographs. Reach the archives by email at archives@aadl.org.

The AADL genealogy page has databases and local history resources for Washtenaw County researchers.

In-library, the AADL provides access to Ancestry Library Edition, FamilySearch Affiliate with expanded digital records, and MyHeritage Library Edition. These databases are free to use at the library. Several historic Ann Arbor newspapers are searchable online as well, including the Ann Arbor Argus (1889-1896), the Ann Arbor Journal (1855-1863), and the Ann Arbor Register (1875-1897).

Online Resources for Washtenaw County Genealogy

Washtenaw County has strong online resources for genealogy. Several free tools index local records and let you search before making a trip to Ann Arbor.

The Michiganology database holds Washtenaw County death certificates from 1897 to 1952 and is free to search. The Archives of Michigan in Lansing holds older records not kept locally, including naturalization files and early court materials. The FamilySearch Washtenaw County Wiki lists all known digitized and microfilm record sets for the county. FamilySearch has indexed census records and vital records for Washtenaw County going back to the 1840 federal census. The Washtenaw County MIGenWeb page has volunteer-contributed data including cemetery records and surname queries.

FamilySearch Centers in the area include the Ann Arbor Michigan FamilySearch Center in Saline, the Riverview Michigan FamilySearch Center, and the Westland Michigan FamilySearch Center. Affiliate centers are also at Lyon Township Public Library and Manchester District Library. These centers provide access to records that otherwise require a paid subscription.

Note: Washtenaw County death certificates from 1897 to 1952 are also indexed on the Michiganology site at michiganology.org/vital-records, which gives a useful entry point into the statewide vital records collection.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the county seat and the qualifying city in Washtenaw County for genealogy research on this site.

Other communities in Washtenaw County include Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and Dexter. These communities do not currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All genealogy records for their residents go through the Washtenaw County Clerk in Ann Arbor.

Nearby Counties

Families in southeast Michigan often moved between counties. Check these neighboring jurisdictions if your research extends beyond Washtenaw County.