Michigan Church Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of an index and images to selected marriages from various churches throughout Michigan. Many of the records are from Lenawee, Manistee, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. In addition to marriages the collection contains some baptisms, confirmations, membership lists, funerals and member lists. The records are in English, German, Danish and Swedish.

Record Description
The information found varies by record type. You may find any of the following:


 * Names of the primary individuals such as the bride and groom
 * Event dates and places
 * Birth, marriage and death dates and places
 * Residences
 * Names of other family members and their residences
 * Names of sponsors and witnesses and their residences
 * Biographical details
 * Other remarks

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * Your ancestor’s name.
 * Other identifying information such as residence, birth date, age, names of other family members and family relationships

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about those in the list to what you already know about your own ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person.

If you did not find the person you were looking for, you may need to search the collection by image. ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" ⇒Select the appropriate "_____________" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

With either search keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:
 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use locations to find family in census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Continue to search the index and records to identify other relatives.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for another index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.
 * A boundary change could have occurred and the record of your ancestor is now in a neighboring locality.

Related Websites
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Related Wiki Articles

 * Michigan Genealogy
 * How to Find Michigan Marriage Records
 * Michigan Vital Records
 * Michigan Church Records
 * Michigan Online Genealogy Records
 * Michigan Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Michigan Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Michigan, County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):