Michigan History

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Brief History
The following important events in the history of Michigan affected political jurisdictions, record keeping, and family movements.


 * 1668: Sault Ste. Marie, the oldest community in Michigan, was founded by the French. *1701: Detroit was founded.
 * 1763: The British took possession of the area but discouraged settlers.
 * 1763: (June 4,) A deadly game of Lacrosse played by two large teams of Indians outside Fort Michilimackinac at what is now Mackinaw City, Michigan, when English troops manning the fort had gathered to watch the game, Indians got their concealed weapons and attacked, slaughtering all occupants and burning the fort.
 * 1787: Michigan became part of the U.S. Northwest Territory, but the British still controlled Detroit and Mackinac.
 * 1796: The British withdrew from their remaining posts, including Detroit.
 * 1800: The area became part of the Indiana Territory.
 * 1805: (January 11,) Congress created Michigan Territory.
 * 1812: Fort Dearborn massacre whites driven out of Lake Michigan region by the Indians
 * 1818–1832: Settlement was encouraged by improvements in transportation, including the establishment of steamship operation on the Great Lakes from Buffalo to Detroit in 1818, and the completion of the Erie Canal to Buffalo in 1825. The Chicago Road linking Detroit to Chicago was completed in 1832.
 * 1833: Treaty of Chicago between the Indians and the U.S. Government
 * 1835: As a result of the Toledo War with Ohio, Michigan lost land along its southern border to Ohio and gained the Upper Peninsula.
 * 1837: (January 26,) Michigan became a state.
 * 1842: Treaty; Indians surrendered all property rigts in the state.
 * 1861–1865: 90,000 men served the Union in the Civil War. Of these, 14,000 died in the war.
 * 1900: All of Michigan's 83 counties had been settled by 1900.

Historical Content
Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:

Local Histories
Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the Family History Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.


 * Sourcebook of Michigan Census, County Histories, and Vital Records


 * County Evolution in Michigan, 1790–1897


 * A Bibliography of American County Histories


 * United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress

State Histories Useful to Genealogists
Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Michigan:


 * The Red Book of Michigan: A Civil, Military, and Biographical History

United States History
The following are only a few of the many sources that are available:


 * The Almanac of American History, This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.


 * Dictionary of American History, Revised ed This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at Google books.


 * Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium  This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.


 * Writings on American History Has the full text available at Google Books

To find more books and articles about Michigan 's history use the Internet Google search for phases like "Michigan history." Family History Library Catalog Surname Search lists many more histories under topics like:
 * MICHIGAN - HISTORY
 * MICHIGAN, [COUNTY] - HISTORY
 * MICHIGAN, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - HISTORY
 * MICHIGAN, BIBLIOGRAPHY

Web Sites

 * Michigan County Histories and Atlases