WELCOME to MICHIGAN

I hope you have a great time visiting us at Genealogy "Michigan" Trails. My name is Christine Walters and I'll be your Host. Lets all explore the places and areas of Michigan that our ancestors chose to settle in. This should prove to be an exciting journey, it will be fun, and along the way we will all get a better understanding of Michigan. It will be a step back in time as we get to know the people that created Michigan and formed it into the beautiful State it now is. I want to encourage anyone who has "Michigan" ties & connections to get in touch with me. We want to hear your stories and take advantage of your personal history of this wonderful State. I need your contributions and I especially need the old history, the information that you can find about all the pioneer families, and naturally - some of the Indian History that is so important to this State. I'm also looking for Obituaries, Biographies and County History.. just about everything is helpful.

I REGRET THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO PERSONAL RESEARCH FOR YOU.
I don't have the time or the resources.



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Some Michigan Information
The State of Michigan was admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837.

The name "Michigan" is derived from a Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water" and refers to the Great Lakes which hug the shores of the State. Michigan is said to have been first discovered around 1610 and inhabited by the Indians. In the mid 1700's it was claimed by the French - but was ceded to the British until the Revolution when it became part of the United States but we didn't take full possession of it until 1796 and shortly thereafter it became part of the Northwest Territory. Then from 1800 to 1805 it was connected with the Ohio and the Indian Territories. The first American settlers began settling in Michigan about 1796, coming from England but it was not until about 1818 that an appreciable amount of settlers was noticed. 1818 was the first public land sales and the work on the erie Canal attracted many. The completion of the Canal in 1825 added stimula to the immigrants. Its about this time that many came to work on the road construction heading toward Chicago. By 1840 the immigration increased to such an extent that about half of the southern peninsula was cultivated. From 1840 - 1890 there were tens of thousand of workers who came to work in the lumber and mining camps.

COUNTY LIST

ALCONA

ALGER

ALLEGAN

ALPENA

ANTRIM

ARENAC

BARAGA

BARRY

BAY
Host- Brenda Wiesner

BENZIE

BERRIEN

BRANCH

CALHOUN

CASS

CHARLEVOIX

CHEBOYGAN

CHIPPEWA
Host- Christine Walters

CLARE

CLINTON

CRAWFORD

DELTA

DICKINSON
Host- Mark Seeburg

EATON

EMMET

GENESEE

GLADWIN

GOGEBIC

GR. TRAVERSE

GRATIOT

HILLSDALE

HOUGHTON

HURON

INGHAM

IONIA

IOSCO

IRON

ISABELLA

JACKSON
Host-Jan Stypula

KALAMAZOO

KALKASKA

KENT

KEWEENAW

LAKE

LAPEER

LEELANAU

LENAWEE

LIVINGSTON

LUCE

MACKINAC
Host-Christine Walters

MACOMB

MANISTEE

MARQUETTE

MASON

MECOSTA

MENOMINEE

MIDLAND

MISSAUKEE

MONROE

MONTCALM

MONTMORENCY

MUSKEGON

NEWAYGO

OAKLAND

OCEANA

OGEMAW

ONTONAGON

OSCEOLA

OSCODA

OTSEGO

OTTAWA
Host- Brenda Wiesner

PRESQUE ISLE

ROSCOMMON

SAGINAW
Host- Brenda Wiesner

SAINT CLAIR

ST. JOSEPH

SANILAC

SCHOOLCRAFT

SHIAWASSEE

TUSCOLA

VAN BUREN

 

WASHTENAW

WAYNE
Host- Christine Walters

WEXFORD

 

IMPORTANT MICHIGAN INFORMATON

Alpha Sigma Fraternity

Early Michigan History

1840 PENSIONERS

Selected Biographies

Colleges & Universities

County Name Origins

County Information
Dates/County Seats/Origins

Courthouses
Addresses & Phone Numbers

Death Index 1897 - 1920

Dutch Settlements in Michigan

Early State History 1869

Eastman National College

Michigan Official State

Pioneer in Education

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor Class of 1858

1845 Message to Emigrants

Facts & Trivia

Michigan State Flag

Governors
Some with Biographies

Legislature
Back When It Meant Something?

Lighthouses

Military
The War of 1812
The Civil War
The Civil War Dead
The Civil War (Harve Roach)
Reconstruction 1888
Korean Casualties
Iraq War Casualties

News Articles

One Room Schoolhouse's
Hart School Tuscola

Postmarks From The Past
Paul E. Petosky

Prohibition Movement

State Information
Timeline - State Symbols

State News - 1822
State News - 1824
State News - 1869

Today in History

Tombstone Symbols

A Trip to Michigan 1841

Underground RR in Michigan

"Interesting"
Michigan Websites

The Winebago Visit D.C.

A Primer of Michigan History
By Wm. J. Cox 1886


The History of Michigan 1882

From "The History of Macomb County"
Chicago -- M.A. Leeson & Co. 1882

An Account Of Its Settlement, Growth, Development And Resources; An Extensive And Minute Sketch Of Its Cities, Towns And Villages -- Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Churches, Schools And Societies; Its War Record, Piographical Sketches, Portraits Of Prominent Men and Early Settlers; The Whole Preceded By A History of Michigan, Statistics Of The State, And An Abstract Of Its Laws and Constitution And Of The Constitution Of The United States

CHAPTER 1



MICHIGAN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
Volume 1

By Michigan Historical Commission
Michigan State Historical Society
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society

First Social Reunion 24 June 1874



THE IRON HUNTER
by Chase S. Osborn The MacMillian Company, NY
The 1919 autobiography of Michigan governor Chase S. Osborn

Transcribed and Contributed by Mark Seeberg
Host of Florence County WI and Winnebago Co IL

Chapters  1-15
Chapters 16-26
Chapters 27-40


BENCH AND BAR OF MICHIGAN
THE SUPREME COURT

Edited by Judges Samuel T. Douglas and Benjamin F. Graves 1897


MICHIGAN - NEW UPDATES

Michigan State News Articles 2/7/2013

Allegan Co 2/26/2013
1890 Veterans Census - From Debbie Gibson
Postcards - Mayland Main Street contributed by Jan Wright
History of Wayland Pg. 352
BIOS: Gardner, Balch, Turner, Jackson, Angel, Harding, Gunn, Congdon, Seaver

Alpena Co 3/19/2013
BIOS: Halloran from M.K. Krogman
POSTCARD from Paul Alpena - Fletcher Residence

Antrim Co 2/26/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky:
Bellaire Bridge, Bellaire River St.// Mancelona 1911 // Torch Lake Stevens

Arenac Co 3/19/2013
POSTCARD From Paul Petosky: Standish Trading Post
History of Arenac

Baraga Co 2/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: L'Anse, Leo,
Bio: J.b. Smith - John Real - Martin Voetsch
Obits: Smith,

Bay Co 4/24/2013
WWII Honor List from Peggy Thompson
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/military/ww2honorlist.html
Thomas Bradley Bio from Rhonda Hill
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/bios/bio1.html#BRADLEY_Thomas_Pringle
Completion of John S. Wilson Probate by Barb Conner
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/probate/probate_Wilson_John_S.html
Photo of Pinconning Depot & Hotel from Paul P
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/photos/photo4.html#hotel
Photo of Pinconning Depot 1907 from Paul P
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/photos/photo4.html#depot
Residence pf Father Hewett, Essexville from Paul P
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/photos/photo4.html#father
Photo of Linwood Park from Paul P
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/photos/photo4.html#park
Fraser Twp 1890 Vet Census from Mary Love
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/1890census/1890fraservets.html
Chapter 3 of History of Bay County from GT Trans Team
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/books/History_of_Bay_ch3.html
Chapter 4 of History of Bay County from GT Trans Team
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/books/History_of_Bay_ch4.html
Chapter 5 of History of Bay County from GT Trans Team
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/books/History_of_Bay_ch5.html
Chapter 6 of History of Bay County from GT Trans Team
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/books/History_of_Bay_ch6.html
Chapter 7 of History of Bay County from GT Trans Team
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/bay/books/History_of_Bay_ch7.html

Berrien Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul - Galien, Berrien Springs, New Buffalo, Sodus, Three Oaks, Waterviet
Obits: Wm. Barbour from Anna Newell
Obits: Albert Larue Warren
Bios: Ira Overocker and Edward Warren

Benzie Co 04/7/2013
Bios: James Wright - from Helen Coughlin
Postcards from Paul: Frankfort, Beulah, Crystal Lake

Branch Co 04/7/2013
Bios: Howard Rumsey - from Rhonda Hill
Schools: Quincy School
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Coldwater, Bronson, Quincy

Calhoun Co 04/7/2013
Bios: Alexander Trotter contributed by Helen Coughlin
Postcards from Paul: Battle Creek, Marshall, Burlington, Albion, East Leroy

Cass Co 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Cassopolis, Vandalia
Bios: Brady
Obits: Brady, Sherwood

Cheboygan Co 2/7/2013
I 75 North -- Postcard from Paul Petosky

Chippewa Co Host-Christine Walters 3/27/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky:
Drummond: Dolomite Quarry - Sunes Corner - Whitney Bay -- The Gables -- O-Mah-Me-Kong Lodge
Paradise: Paradise Café - Martins Tavern
Detour: Church Parsonage - River Scene
Sault Ste Marie: Fourth Lock 1915 - Ashmun St. 1940 - Hauling Logs
Trout Lake: Lake Birch Lodge - Beaver Lodge - Troute Lake 1930
Eckerman: Silver Creek Lodge
Rudyard: South Street
BIO: Jerry L. Lynch

Crawford Co 2/26/2013
Postcards by Paul Petosky -- Grayling Mercy Hospital, Camp Grayling 1940

Dickinson Co Host-Mark Seeburg 05/14/2013
Death Index 1902 - 1903--http://genealogytrails.com/mich/dickinson/Death_Index_Dickinson_1902___1903.htm
Death index 1904 - 1905 and three photographs and postcards contributed by Paul Petosky
three photographs of Norway Township contributed by Paul Petosky --http://genealogytrails.com/mich/dickinson/picpostnorway_page_2.htm
Death index 1906 - 1907 added --http://genealogytrails.com/mich/dickinson/Death_Index_Dickinson_1902__\_1907.htm

Eaton Co 2/7/2013
News: Lansing MI 1957 - from Dean Whitesell

Emmet Co 01/02/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Brutus, Petoskey, Pellston, Harbor Springs
History of Presbyterian Church - Petosky
Information on New Arlington Hotel in Petosky
New Information on the Cushman Hotel in Petosky

Genesse Co 1/19/2013
Postcards from Paul Peetosky - Flint School
Obits: Thomas Kane from Marla Zwakman

Gogebic Co 4/7/2013
Marriages: Evans to Hansen - from Marla Zwakman
Postcards from Paul: Bessemer, Ironwood, Wakefield, Marenisco

Grand Traverse 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Interlochen, Kingsley, Traverse City, Neahtawanta,
History of Kingsley
Northern Michigan Asylum

Gratiot 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Alma, North Star, Ithaca, Wheeler, Riverdale, Forest Hill, Bannister
Bios: Francis J. Tucker
History of Fulton Twp.

Houghton Co 2/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Calumet, Hancock, Lake Linden, Houghton, Hubbell, Freda, Laurium, South Range, Chassell, Dollar Bay
History of Kerredge Theatre
History of Hubbell, Laurium and Lake Linden

Huron Co 04/27/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Grindstone City, Port Austin, Owendale, Harbor Beach, Kinde, Bad Axe, Bay Port, Sebwaing, Fairhaven, Ubly
History of Port Austin Twp

Ingham Co 04/27/2013
Postcards from Paul: Leslie, Onondaga, Stockbridge, Lansing, Webberville, Holt
Postcard of Williamston Class 1909 and 1915 - with names of the graduates
History of Onondaga
Bio of John Harwood

Ionia Co 04/27/2013
Postcards from Paul - Ionia City Hall
Postcard from Gary Foster - Lake Odessa
Bios: Amon Otis and Isaac Harwood

Iosco Co 01/02/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Alabaster
Bio of Robert A. Richards

Isabella Co 01/02/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Sheperd, Blanchard, Beal City
History of Deerfield Twp.
History of Rolland Twp.
Bio of Wm. M. Peterson, Daniel Doxsie, Peter Chapman, Sherman D. Eldred
Pine River Cemetery updated
Obit of Eleanor L. Chapman

Jackson Co Host-Jan Stypula 3/23/2013
I have added a page from the Jackson County marriage indexes.
Paul Petrosky has sent in more postcards.
Added bio for Harry D Mack in the Jackson Connections. Contributed by Kim Torp
Added the first six chapters of 'History of Jackson County Michigan'

Kalamazoo Co 1/19/2013
Postcards from Paul Peetosky - Kalamazoo, Camp, Custer
Marriages: Tuttle to Linigyear from Marla Zwakman
Bios: Barnes

Kalkaska Co 4/7/2013
Postcard from Paul Petosky: Kalkaska in 1940

Kent Co 3/19/2013
BIOS: Shere H. Manley
POSTCARD From Paul Petosky: Grand Rapids from Paul Petosky
POSTCARD From Gary Foster - Rainboat Skating

Keweenaw Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky -- Manitou Island, Isle Royale, Eagle Harbor, Copper Harbor, Eagle River, Copper Harbor, Copper Range RR, Ahmeek, Keweenaw snowfall, Phoenix Location, Belle Harbor

Lake Co 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Baldwin, Irons, Luther
History of Lake Co with Baldwin & Luther

Leelanau Co 2/7/2013
Gall3ry: Glen Lake - from Gary Foswter
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Leland, Suttons Bay
Early History of Villages
Leelanau Twp. Cemetery
Civil War - Charles Barnes

Lenawee Co 3/19/2013
BIOS: Kelley from Peggy Thompson
BIOS: Benjamin Kelley, Libni Kelley, Lydia Kelley
POSTCARDS from Paul: Britton, Onsted, Adrain,

Luce Co 1/19/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - McMillan, Deerfield
Newberry Settlement
Settlement of McMillan

Mackinac Host-Christine Walters 3/27/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Naubinway, Curtis, Brevort, Cedarville, Hessel, Engadine
History of Early Mackinac Chapter 3
Postcards from Paul Petosky:
Hessel: Ehle Cabins
Curtis: Detmer Cottages
Mackinac Island: Crescent Beach
Round Lake: 1899
Naubinway: Tonys Twin Pipe Cabins
Cedarville: Aerial View - Victor Shoberg Resort
BURIALS: Emmons and O'Brien Burials at St. Annes Cemetery from Nancy Stuart Teasdale

Manistee 3/19/2013
POSTCARDS from Paul: Arcadia, Onekama, Copemish
History of Onekama Twp.
History of Onekama City
History of Pierport Village
History of Portage Lake

Marquette Co 4/7/2013
Bios: Arthur Mars contributed by Rhonda Hill
Bios: Merritt, Waldo, Moore, Elson
Postcards from Paul: Negaunee, Ishpeming, Marquette, Gwinn, Michigamme, Republic, Negaunee, Champion

Mason Co 3/19/2013
POSTCARDS from Paul: Ludington

Mecosta Co 3/19/2013
POSTCARDS From Paul Petosky - Barryton, Big Rapids
BIOS: Ferdinand Fairman
OBITS: John Fairman

Menominee Co 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Stephenson, Hermansville, Powers, Menominee
Bios: Earle and Radford

Missaukee Co 3/19/2013
POSTCARDS from Paul - Lake City, Lucas Post Office, McBain

Monroe Co 2/26/2013
Biographies transcribed by Barbara Conner
Allen, Aselstine, Bailey, Baker, Bale, Barnum, Bazzett, Bergmooser, Betz, Bowen, Burgess, Chamberlin, Clark, Egle, Francisco, Fuhrman, Hafford, Hill, Hood, Howes, Jewell, Langs, Littlefield, Livingston, McKay, McKenzie, McLaughlin,

Montmorency Co 4/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Lewiston, Atlanta and Hillman

Montcalm Co 2/7/2013
Postcards from Paul: Greenville, Edmore

Muskegon Co 4/7/2013
Bios: Henry Holt - from Ann Brown
Postcards from Paul: Montague, Casnovia, Fruitport, Twin Lake

Newaygo Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul -- Croton, Newaygo, Volney, Fremont, White Cloud
Bio of Frances C. Selby

Oakland Co 3/19/2013
BIO: Horton from M Krogman
POSTCARDS from Paul - Pontiac, Lakeville, Walled Lake, Oxford
BIOS: Caleb Horton and Wm. S. Horton

Oceana Co 1/19/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Hesperia, New Era, Walkerville, Pentwater
Mysteries
History of Shelby Twp.

Ogemaw Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul -- West Branch and Ogemaw

Ontonagon Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul: Ontonagon, Ewen, Victoria, Bergland and Calderwood

Osceola Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul: Tustin, Park Lake,
Bios: Sawyer, Estes, Bevins
Evart Church -- from Gary Foster - The church of his Great Parents

Otsego Co 1/19/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Gaylord, Johannesburg
Bio: Hilton and Fox

Ottawa Co 3/21/2013
Henry Holt and Henry Bolt Bio from Ann Brown
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/ottawa/bios/bio2.html#Hon._Henry_H._Holt.

Saginaw Co 3/21/2013
Photo of East Saginaw Club from Paul P.
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/photos/photo5.html#club
Photo of Hotel Schuch from Paul P.
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/photos/photo5.html#hotel
John F. Stretch bio from MKK
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/bios/bio8.html#STRETCH,_JOHN_F
Walter Lee Sr obit from Reena Jones-Meredith
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/obitproject/obit1990.html#LEE,_WALTER_Sr._
Merwin Jones obit from MZ
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/obitproject/obit1870.html#JONES,_MERWIN
Jennie Whaley Obit from TB
http://genealogytrails.com/mich/saginaw/obitproject/obit1880.html#WHALEY,_JENNIE

Sanilac Co 3/19/2013
History of Education
POSTCARDS from Paul: Brown City, Carsonville

Schoolcraft Co 4/7/2013
Marriages: Swedberg to Johnson from Marla Zwakman
Postcards from Paul: Thompson, Gulliver, Manistique,

Shiawassee Co Co 2/26/2013
Owosso (Ford) back in the day ---
Brancroft - C.B. Simonson Residence from Paul Petosky
Bio: Monroe V. Simonson

St. Clair Co 2/26/2013
Lambs Depot
St. Clair Residence of Charles Busch -- Contributed by Paul Petosky

St. Joseph Co 4/27/2013
Postcards from Paul -- Tustin, Park Lake
Evart Church from Gary Foster
Bios: Sawyer, Estes, Bevins

Tuscola Co 4/7/2013
Bios: Austin Nehemiah McConoughey from Helen Coughlin
Postcards from Paul: Mayville, Vassar, Cass

Washtenaw Co 3/19/2013
BIOS: Otto from Sandra Stutzman
POSTCARDS from Paul Petosky - Manchester, Ann Arbor, Milan

Wayne Co Host-Christine Walters 04/23/2013
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Allen Park, Detroit
OBITS: Wisner - from Barb Z.
OBITS: Alfred Drews
Chapter 4 -- History of Wayne by Silas
Woodmere Cem - Updated with Mielke Family from Sue Ann McKnight

Wexford Co 3/19/2013
BIOS: M.K. Krogman
POSTCARDS from Paul - Cadillac, Manton


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MAILING LIST
Please be sure and join our mailing list.. the lists are by regions - join as few or as many as you are interested in. This list is the one and only place where we announce all our updates. This website is updated regularly - so you won't want to miss anything.

Want to be a County Host for Michigan?
Please visit our Volunteer Information Page for the details, then take a peek at Michigan's County Co-Ordinator & Adoption Page to see whats available. If you see a county you'd like to have, take the next step and get in touch with Kim Torp who will set you on the trail to a very rewarding and fun adventure.
If you'd like to adopt a "State" just check the State Pages to see whats available.

OR -- Would you like to be a part of Genealogy Trails without being a county or state host? Then come and be part of the new Genealogy Trails Transcription Team. For details about how it works, visit Transcriptions and then contact Linda to get started.

You can be a big, very important, part of this website and a great help to all the researchers out there.

SUBMIT AN OBITUARY
If you have an obituary to share just click above

SUBMIT A CEMETERY HEADSTONE
If you have some headstone, cemetery information or photos
and want to share them with others ... click the above link



Here Under The Oaks July 6th, 1854, Was Born
- The Republican Party -
Destined In The Throes of Civil Stribe
To Abolish Slavery Vindicate Democracy And Perpetual The Union
Photo by Thornton Jackson County MI 4 June 1910 - contributed by Paul Petosky

Historical Marker - Under The Oaks -

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of anti-slavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" had been published two years earlier, causing increased resentment against slavery, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of May, 1854, threatened to make slave states out of previously free territories. Since the convention day was hot and the huge crowd could not be accommodated in the hall, the meeting adjourned to an oak grove on "Morgan's Forty" on the outskirts of town. Here a state-wide slate of candidates was selected and the Republican Party was born. Winning an overwhelming victory in the elections of 1854, the Republican party went on to dominate national parties throughout the nineteenth century."

NW corner, Second and Franklin streets, Jackson; Under the Oaks (Birthplace of the Republican Party) informational site; S15; February 18, 1956; 1972

Backgrounds By Marie        

" Information found on this website is free to use for your personal research
All other use is prohibited without our permission"