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
Host-Kevin Ortman

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

PRESQUE ISLE

ROSCOMMON

SAGINAW
Host- Brenda Wiesner

SAINT CLAIR

ST. JOSEPH

SANILAC

SCHOOLCRAFT
Host-Larry Peterson

SHIAWASSEE

TUSCOLA

VAN BUREN

 

WASHTENAW

WAYNE
Host- Christine Walters

WEXFORD

 


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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

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

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

BENCH AND BAR OF MICHIGAN
THE SUPREME COURT

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


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Search The State Of Michigan
(Or Search All Of the Genealogy Trails State Pages here)

State Selection: advanced search
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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.


MICHIGAN - NEW UPDATES

Michigan State Updates --
Republican Party created -- July 6, 1854

ALGER Co 5/24/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Munising - Wm. G. Mather High , Hotel Williams, Elm Ave, Surperior St. AuTrain 1950

ALLEGAN Co 5/24/2012
Marriage - Slan to Hoyle - from Kathy McDaniel
Plainwell First Baptist from Paul Petosky
Allegan John Robertson Hospital From Paul
Glenn Methodist Episcopal from Paul Petosky
History of Clyde Twp.

ANTRIM Co 4/12/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky -- Mancelona High, Alba Opera, Elk Rapids Central School
History of Mancelona

ARENAC Co 5/24/2012
AuGres Jennings Food Mart - from Paul Petosky

BARAGA Co 4/10/2012
Sacred Heart L'Anse - from Paul Petosky
Bio: Rev. John Henn

BARRY Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Depot at Nashville, Robinsons Store in Dowling, Hastings Catholic School, Hastings High School, Nashville High School, Dowling Creamery, Dowling Looking North, Dr. Gallagers Residence in Dowling, Dowling Post Office, Middleville School House
Bio of Marion F. Dowling

BAY Co Host Brenda Wiesner 4/23/2012
Beaver 1940 Census page 1
Bay City Club, Bay City, MI 1911 from Paul P.
Entrance to Elm Lawn Cemetery Photofrom Paul P.
Pere Marquette Depot Bay City, MI 1907 from Paul P.
New Query for surname Woods
Lutheran Church, Salzburg, MI 1912from Paul P.
St. James Roman Catholic Church, Bay City, MI 1913 from Paul P.
St. James Roman Catholic Church, Bay City, MI 1906 from Paul P.
Wilson's Dairy Bar, Pinconning, MI 1950's from Paul P.
Main St Looking North, Pinconning, MI 1914 from Paul P.
Wenonah Hotel, Bay City, MI 1912 from Paul P.

BENZIE Co 3/14/2012
Frankfort Life Saving / Point Betsie Lighthourse from Paul Petosky
History of Point Betsie Lighthouse
Bio - Carl Tinkham

BERRIEN Co 3/27/2012
New Bufalo 1940// Watervliet Catholic Church / Navajo Trading Post from Paul Petosky
History of Dewey Cannon Park
NEWS: Charles Hayness - from Diana Morse

BRANCH Co 4/12/2012
Bios: Dustin C. Oakes
Obits: James and Mary Oakes
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Bronson High, Coldwater Court House & History, Coldwater Cemetery Bridge

CALHOUN Co 3/14/2012
East Leroy Methodist / Albion High 1915 / Fire Station 1 from Paul Peetosky
Interurban Station in Marshall - history

CASS Co 5/14/2012
Harcellus High School, Falls Cemetery Bridge from Paul Petosky

CHARLEVOIX Co 3/27/2012
Residence of S.G. Isaman
Residence of M.G. STockman
History of East Jordan
History of South Arm
Bio: M. J. Stockman

CHEBOYGAN Co 4/12/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Mackinaw Light, Cook Bros in Wolmerine, George Patterson Res, Mullett Lake Silver Lodge

CHIPPEWA Co Host-Christine Walters 5/16/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky
DeGraff Lodges, Drummond Florence Catholic, Old Fort Drummond, Detour Sacred Heart Church, St. Marie Canal Bridge, Sugar Island 1910, Drummond Domino Lodge, New Drummond Islander

CLARE Co 5/14/2012/
Postcards from Paul Petosky
Farwell Depot, Clare Methodist Episcopal, Hotel Doherty, Lone Pine Motel

CLINTON Co 5/24/0212/
From Paul Petosky Postcards
St. Johns Central High School, Library, Bath Post office & Grocery, Ovid Congregational Church
Marriage - JCAnn to Ada Missner from Kathy McDaniel

CRAWFORD Co 4/10/2012
Grayling 1948 and Salling, Hanson & Co Lumber from Paul Petosky
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Mercy Hospital, Michelon Memorial Church
History of Mercy Hospital

DELTA Co 4/10/2012
Bark River 1908, Gladstone Howardin , Wm. Bonifas Auditorium, Escanaba Greetings, Sollmar Court
BIO: Henry W. Coburn and Charles E. Mason

DICKINSON Co Host-Mark Seeburg 4/16/2012
Kingsford-Quinnesec Cemetery Updated
Norway Twp. Updated
"Notes on the Chapine Mine"

EATON Co 4/10/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Barber State Bank, First Natl at Charlotte, Grand Trunk Depot, Walsh Hotel in Sunfield, German Lutheran in Chester, Meth Church in Charlotte, St. Marys in Charlotte, Phi Alpha Pi at Olivet, South Bridge St., Horner Brothers Woolens, Bellevue - Methodist Episcopal.
Chester Twp. -- History
Postcards from Paul: Grand Ledge Cong. Church, Vermontville Opera House, Bellevue Depot, Grand Ledge Jefferson Ave.
Bio Frank Gannon
History of Bellevue Twp.
Pioneer History of Eaton MI 1833-1866 by Daniel Strange 1933

EMMET Co 4/10/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky: Holy Cross Mission, Old Indian Mission, Cushman Hotel 1913, First Methodist , Petoskey 1910, Petosky Lake St.
Bio: Thomas Quinlaw

GENESSE Co 5/24/2012
Postcards from Paul - Flint - McFarlane St./ New City Hall/ Walker School/ Doyle School/ All Saints School/ Fellows Jewelry
Bio -Herbert Walker, Samuel Walker

GRAND TRAVERSE Co 3/24/2012
Obit: Reuben Goodrich - from Dena Whitesel
Bio: Wm. A Newton
Obit: Geraldine Bailey Kinney
TC Presby Church and Central Meth Episcoal from Paul Petosky
Traverse Sunset Log, Fife Lake Public School, Traverse City, James Decker Munson Hospital, Grand Traverse Hospital, Congregational Church, Old Mission Point, Hotel 1910, First National
Grand Traverse County History Pg - 38 - 41 -- To be continued

GRATIOT Co 3/27/2012
Michigan Sugar from Paul Petosky
Bios: James T. Hall, Dixie G. Hall, Gilbert E. Hall

HILLSDALE Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Hillsdale Methodist , Moscow in 1913, Hillsdale High 1913
OBIT: Helen Viola Fox Rockwood Jardine

HOUGHTON Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - South Range Main St., Chassell Depot, Calumet Rock House, Laurium Third St, Hubbell Euclid Ave, Calumet High 1909, Houghton Travel Rest, Hubbell Cool Bridge, Hancock Reservation Street, Dollar Bill 1910, Sidnaw Kohlschmidt Hotel, Chassell Mill Yard, Laurium Methodist, Calumet Ice Rink, Chassell "The Camps", Sidnaw Fire Hydrant, Hubbell at North Main, Calumet Bijou, Houghton Portage Lake, Sidnaw Birds Eye,
BIOS: Pryor, Wilkinson, Molinari, Kemp, Hubbell, DesRochers, Getchell

HURON Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky -- Berne Luthern in Pigeon, IOOF Hall in Elkton, Bad Axe St Paul, State Bank of Bad Axe, Port Austin Depot, Port Hope Lutheran, Reformed Lutheran, Poschke's Harbor Beach Airport, Port Austin Edgewater Hotel, Sebewaing Street Scene, Vanderkloot Cottage, Harbor Beach Resort

INGEMAW Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Prescott Methodist, Haleys Lodge

INGHAM Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Leslie Public School, Mt. Hope Cemetery Lansing, St Marys at Lansing, Mason Baptist
Stockbridge Presbyterian with History

IOSCO Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Tawas High School 1908, Oscoda NewMethodist, Louds Lumber in AuSable, East Twas Inn 1940

JACKSON Co 5/02/2012
Updated with new pictures, list of pensioners from 1883, and census records from 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1910 for the County Poor House.

KENT Co 3/14/2012
Grand Rapids Boullevard, Sparta High/ Lowell School from Paul Petosky
History of Alto

KEWEENAW Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Belle Isle Lodge, Eagle River, Lone Pine Arch, Keweenaw Agate Shop
SS Altadoc Wreck - with history

LENAWEE Co 5/14/2012
Tecumseh Opera House & History
Photos from Paul Petosky - Adrian Vilvet Ice Cream, Adrian Interior St. Joe's Academy, Tecumseh High 1930, Residence of Fitzsimmons, Devils Lake Pleasant View Hotel, Adrian Viaduct Trolley, Morenci Oak Grove Cemetery, Hudson First Methodist, Seneca Nelson Residence

LIVINGSTON Co 4/12/2012
Lakeland Depot, Howell High 1908, Bowman Store, Brighton Depot, Groceries/Notions in Hartland
Bio - Frederick Shroeder

MACKINAC Host-Christine Walters 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky
Cedarville Birds Eye, Epoufette Moncks Stone Bar, St. Ignace Ferry Lane
Interior of St. Ann's Church -- with some history

MACOMB Co 3/14/2012
Richmond German Evangelical from Paul Petosky
History of the Churches of Macomb Co

MANISTEE Co 4/10/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky
Elk Club, Civic Center, First Cong. Church in Onekama, Portage Lake Bible Camp, Copemish Cong. Church, Brethren Methodist 1950, Arcadia Trinity Lutheran, Bear Lake Lumber
BIOS: Delos, E. Golden and Delos Filer

MARQUETTE Co 3/27/2012
BIO: James J. Farrell from Barb Ziegenmeyer
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Winter Railroading / Birds Eye Michigamme
BIOS: Wright and Breitung
History of Sacred Heart Church
Daniel Sullivan - Missing - Contributed by Debra Morse

MASON Co 3/14/2012
Custer Post Office & Hotel from Paul Petosky
Ludington Buggs Resort and Ludington Mason Post office from Paul Petosky
Bio: Paquette

MECOSTA Co 3/27/2012
Highland View Cemetery - Contributed by Gary Foster
NEWS: Rain 2/8/1887 - from Gary Foster
St. Peters - Big Rapids from Gary Foster

MENOMINEE Co 3/27/2012
Ingalls Post Office -- By Paul Petosky

MONTCALM Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Sheridan Opera House, Carson City Congregational Church, Proposed Ward School in Greenville, Tower Residence in Greenville
BIO: Ray J. Tower

MONTMORENCY Co 4/10/2012
Bills Inn Atlanta // Lewiston Main St. contributed by Paul Petosky
Postcards from Paul Petosky: St. Francis Catholic in Lewiston, West Twin Lake, St. Francis Catholic, Ed Collins Resort

MUSKEGON Co 5/24/2012 Montague Miss American, Montague High 1917, Montague New High School - Muskegon Hackley School, Muskegon Football 1946, Muskegon Vogue Theatre -- Twin Lake Post office 1924, Holton Post office

NEWAYGO Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Hardy Hydrelectric & Dam, Wooster Depot, White Cloud Depot, Fremont School 1907, Front Street in Grant,
History of White Cloud

OCEANA Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Hesperia Divison Street, The White Elephant with History, Shelby Congregational Church, Rothbury Cabins Kennedys, Hart Congregational Church, Crystal Valley Methodist

ONTONAGON Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Bergland High School, Ewen Methodist 1909, Big Iron River in Silver City, Fishing Boats in Ontonagon
NEWS: Pumps frozen and Trout Creek Burns

SAGINAW Co Host-Brenda Wiesner 3/22/2012
Bio BERNTHAL, John Jacob from Charlotte Slater
Township St. Cahrles 1883-1899 from Tami Bussinger
School District St. Charles 1900 from Tami Bussinger
Michigan Central Depot 1910 from Paul Petosky
over 50 Obituaries from Tami Bussinger
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Herrig School, Arthur School, Hemlock Depot, Saginaw Post Office,
Lawsuits and Murders

SCHOOLCRAFT Co Host Larry Peterson 4/29/2012
The Winkelman Store http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schooolcraft/winkelman.html
Historic Businesses from the Lumbering Era http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/lumberabsn.html
Early History as Monistique/Epsport http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/epsport.html
Manistique 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/1897busdir.html
Updated Manistique Post Office History and Photos http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/mstqpo.html
Gulliver, Michigan 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/gulliverphotos.html
Thompson, Michigan 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/thmpsn1897bd.html
South Manistique 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/somstq1897.html
Cooks, Michigan 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/cooks.html
Seney, Michigan 1897 Business Directory http://genealogytrails.com/mich/schoolcraft/seney1897.html
Many thanks again to Paul Petosky for contributing Post Master information along with many historic Schoolcraft County photos.

SHIAWASSEE Co 5/24/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky -- Corunna Methodist, Bennington First Methodist, Laingsburg Methodist Episcopal, Owosso Memorial, Owasso Union Tele, Owosso First House, Owosso Washington School
Story about the Union Telephone

ST. CLAIR Co 3/27/2012
Postcards: Capac, Algonac, St. Clair, Marine City, Port Huron - from Paul Petosky
History of the Schools of St. Clair County

TUSCOLA Co 5/24/2012
Bios -- Staley and Kasemeyer
Postcards from Paul -- Cass CIty High, New Sheridan Hotel, Unionville Lutheran

VAN BUREN Co 5/24/2012
Marriage Smith to Case contributed by Kathy McDaniel
Postcards from Paul Petosky -- Hartford High 1913, South Haven High 1919, Bangor Buick, Hartford Federated Church , Hartford Main St. , Lawton Baptist, Hartford Maple St. , Paw Paw Church of Christ, Hartford Main Street , Grand Junction Sheffers , Grand Junction Depot, South Haven USCG
Bio for Henry Ford

WAYNE CO Host-Christine Walters 5/12/2012
Silas Farmer - History of Michigan -- Chapter 10 - Diseases / Medical / Doctors
Postcards from Paul Petosky
Light House Belle Isle, Northville Center St., Stanley Ave., Stevenson Hotel, Detroit High 2011, Michigan Yacht Power, Garden City Baptist Church, Eloise Detroit Urban Depot

WASHTENAW Co 5/14/2012
Postcards from Paul Petosky - Whitmore Lake Post Office, Salem Town Hall, Oscar Smith Mail Carrier, Exchange Street in Manchester, Michigan Central Depot in Chelsea, Hickman Residence in Ypsilanti

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"