Source Information

Ancestry.com. Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1897-1929 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Original data: Michigan Death Records, 1897-1929. Microfilm publication, 302 rolls. Library of Michigan. Lansing, Michigan. https://michiganology.org

About Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1897-1929

Contained in this index are Michigan death records from 1897 to 1929. The entire collection is arranged chronologically and alphabetically by county with the only exception being Wayne County, which follows Wexford. City of Detroit records, as part of Wayne County, are always at the end of each year. In total, there are 83 counties and while their boundaries have not changed since 1897 they have been adjusted. Within each county, the records are arranged numerically by certificate number.

Death records contain information about a person's death, such as the date of death, place of death, sometimes the names of the mother and father, and even the physician who attended the death. Death certificates issued by state and local governments will often include the place of residence, and the mother's maiden name. For general advice on obtaining death records see “Death Certificates” by Kathi Sittner in the Learning Center.

Had your ancestor resided in Michigan during this time period they would have most likely worked in manufacturing, which was a major industry in the state. Three major car manufacturing companies are located in Detroit and nearby Dearborn: Olds Motor Vehicle Company, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. Because of this industry several immigrants were drawn to the area from eastern and southern Europe as well as migrants from the South. Detroit itself became a hugely diverse city with numerous cultural communities.

Information in this index:

  • Given name
  • Surname
  • Death dates
  • Place of death
  • Physician who attended death