CEMETERIES
In
Mackinac Co MI
GROS CAP CEMETERY
Photo by Rebecca King - Find-A-Grave
Many thanks to those special people
with a camera to share
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 45.87030, Longitude: -84.79940

The exact date of this cemetery's origin is unknown, but from numerous discoveries and all evidence obtainable it is safe to say that it was first used by residents of the Ottawa settlement which existed on this shore in the 17th century. Gros Cap Cemetery is reputed to the the oldest cemetery in continuous use in the United States. It was undoubtedly one of the largest Indian congregations of the Old Northwest and prospered during the early fur trapping time. In recognition of the significant history of the vicinity, a marker was erected which can be seen from the highway. The text of this marker was prepared after a long study by the Michilimackinac Historical Society. It reads:

Ottawa Indian Village

Here on West Moran Bay, a large 17th century Ottawa village was directly connected by trail and water with Michilimackinac center on Moran Bay, Lake Huron. Both bays were named for Trader Morin whose post was at this settlement. The original burial ground serves the community today. Erected by The Township of Moran, 1960, at the ancient campfire site. (Approved by the Michilimackinac Historical Society).

Apparently Schoolcraft had this old burial ground in mind when he passed the area in 1824, and wrote, "We camped in wide sandy bay in the Straits of Mackinac. We found in the sand, stumps of cedar pickets forming an antique enclosure which had been founded at the time of the Mission of St. Ignace, over 250 years ago".

Contributed by Betty Joan Cogan - Find-A-Grave
Copied in part from the Gros Cap Cemetery, Mackinac County Michigan by Mrs. Emerson (Margaret) Smith, St. Ignace, Reprinted from "Michigan Heritage", Winter 1961, Volume III No. 2, Kalamazoo, Michigan

NAME BIRTH DEATH SPOUSE PARENTS
BLANCHARD, Elizabeth (Leveille) 09 Feb 1852 1944 John Blanchard Noel and Madeline (Lozon) Leveille
BLANCHARD, Isaac (Sr)
Biography		 17 May 1787 10 Jun 1866 Mary Babbeau
m 9 Dec 1824		  
BLANCHARD, Isaac (Jr) 20 Mar 1837 18 Jun 1859   Isaac and Mary (Babbeau) Blanchard Sr.
BLANCHARD, Jane (St Louis) 19 Feb 1842 20 Jun 1925 James Blanchard Louis St. Louis
BLANCHARD, James 02 Oct 1830 11 Nov 1911 Jane St.Louis Isaac and Mary (Babbeau) Blanchard
BLANCHARD, John 23 Nov 1839 10 Oct 1903 Elizabeth Leveille Isaac and Mary (Babbeau) Blanchard
BLANCHARD, Joseph 25 Jun 1828 30 Apr 1880   Isaac and Mary (Babbeau) Blanchard
BLANCHARD, Mary (Babbeau) 20 Apr 1805 15 Nov 1875 Isaac Blanchard Sr. Louis and Josephine (Anse) Babbeau
BLANCHARD, Mary Bell 27 Jan 1881 17 May 1882   John and Elizabeth (Leveille) Blanchard
BLANCHARD, Orville S. 17 Aug 1882 25 Feb 1885   John and Elizabeth (Leveille) Blanchard
CORP, Agnes Elvira (Blanchard) 25 Jun 1851 08 Jan 1924 Ignace Ambrose Corp
m 17 Sep 1865		 Isaac and Mary (Bibeau) Blanchard
KRUGER, Albert J. 22 Apr 1879 02 May 1905   John C. and Bertha (Hintz) Kruger
KRUGER, Bertha (Hintz) 26 Oct 1857 25 Oct 1887 Frederick Kruger John C. and Emilie Hintz
KRUGER, Emma (Hintz) 1860 1887 Frederick Kruger John C. and Emilie Hintz
KRUGER, Frederick 1853 1925 Emma Hintz
Bertha Hintz		 Lewis Kruger
MAY, Eli Sr. 1816 22 May 1901   No headstone
MAY, Eli Jr. 1834 14 May 1883 Mary Ann McDonald Children: Mathilda, Rebecca, Charles & Ida
MAY, Mary Ann (McDonald)   14 May 1883 Eli May Jr.  
SHURTLEFF, John S. 03 Mar 1819 07 Feb 1893 Mary Belle Blanchard Junius John Shurtleff
SHURTLEFF, Mary Belle (Blanchard) 19 Sep 1825 11 Feb 1896 John S. Shurtleff Isaac and Mary (Babbeau) Blanchard
St. ANDRE, Agustus 16 Nov 1863 16 Jan 1954 Ida May Louis and Rosalie (Tuckey) St. Andre
St. ANDRE, Ida (May) 15 Nov 1866 14 Mar 1911 Gustus St. Andre Eli and Mary Ann (McDonald) May Jr.


Gros Cap Cemetery


Location of Gros Cap Ce,eteru


Gros Cap Plots Moran Township