Searching collections:
A significant number of Michigan death records were added this week to the Death Records, 1897-1920 collection. With this second batch of records now loaded, the project is now about 2/3 complete; currently, there are about 660,000 of the approximately 1,000,000 certificates on this site. We’ll continue adding records regularly in the next few weeks, so check back often.
One death record of note is of Elijah E. Myers. Do you know who he is? You wouldn’t know it from his death certificate, but Myers was a leading American architect in the late 1800’s, designing dozens of buildings across the United States, including many here in Michigan. Among his many achievements includes the Michigan State Capitol, the old Grand Rapids City Hall, Lansing High School, as well as the Colorado and Texas State Capitols.
From his certificate, we can see he was born in Pennsylvania, died in Detroit on March 5, 1909, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery; both of Myers’ parents’ names are also revealed. Given Myers’ architectural achievements, it is interesting that his death certificate does not indicate his occupation.
So what years and counties are now here at Seeking Michigan? The list below details what records are currently available; [incomplete] means that particular county (or Detroit) is not yet fully loaded, not that the whole run of counties listed is incomplete. Remember that the Library of Michigan will be regularly adding records in the coming weeks, so check back often.
Several years are now complete for the entire state: 1902-1903, 1905-1906, 1912, 1915, and 1917; plus, several years are nearly complete: 1904, 1907, 1914, and 1918
1901:
- Lenawee – Shiawassee [incomplete]
- Detroit [incomplete]
1902 & 1903:
- Alcona – Wexford
1904:
- Alcona – Wexford
- Detroit [incomplete]
1905 & 1906:
- Alcona – Wexford
1907
- Alcona – Wexford
- Wayne & Detroit [incomplete]
1908
- Berrien [incomplete] – Delta [incomplete]
- Monroe [incomplete] – Ottawa [incomplete]
- Sanilac [incomplete] – Wexford
- Wayne & Detroit [incomplete]
1909
- Alcona – Bay [incomplete]
- Ingham – Kent [incomplete]
- Montcalm [incomplete] – Wexford
1910
- Alcona – Houghton [incomplete]
- Jackson [incomplete] – Kent [incomplete]
- Macomb [incomplete] – Sanilac [incomplete]
- Wayne – Wexford
- Detroit [incomplete]
1911:
- Gratiot – Lenawee
- Oscoda – St. Clair [incomplete]
- Wayne & Detroit [incomplete]
1912:
- Alcona – Wexford
1913:
- Alcona – Crawford
- Midland – Wexford
1914:
- Alcona – Wexford
- Detroit [incomplete]
1915:
- Alcona-Wexford
1916:
- Berrien [incomplete] – Delta
- Gratiot [incomplete] – Lapeer [incomplete]
- Mason – Oakland [incomplete]
- Wayne & Detroit [incomplete]
1917:
- Alcona – Wexford
1918:
- Alcona – Wexford
- Detroit [incomplete]
1919
- Delta [incomplete] – Lenawee [incomplete]
1920
- Detroit [incomplete]
Thanks for your interest in Seeking Michigan, and we wish you success in your research!
Albert McLaughlin marries Mabel Schultz on May 16, 1911. They had a child that was stillborn or died in a few days in 1911 or 1912. Albert McLaughlin drowned also shortly after in I believe 1912. Albert’s parents were Ralph McLaughlin and Anna Hess. I got both death certificates to come up once and I failed to copy them. I cannot get them to come up again.
Looking for WWI record of my grandfather being in that War. Have rank and regiment but unable to find record…can anyone help?
You guys are doing a great job. So many records and so much time. Bless you all for the work you are doing.
I check out once in awhile and have found some family.
GREAT JOB.
Dale
We’ve been making corrections to the index for the death records collection here. As you would expect, we have a lot of suggested corrections from researchers, but please note that any changes made will be based on the information on the certificate itself, not the information as it should be.
Also, there are several larger problems – missing counties, etc. – to contend with, so we appreciate your patience as we work to make this index and database the best that it can be. Happy searching!
A big chunk of the previously-missing death records will start appearing.
Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, and Berrien from 1908. Ionia, Iosco, Iron, and Isabella from 1909.
More coming in the next few days, including the missing Detroit and Wayne County records from 1911.
Thanks for your patience, and happy searching!
While looking through the Bay City, Bay County Death Certificates, I found an April 7, 1917 entry for John Onzarzak. If you look again, the “N” should be a “W”. It is legible as a “W” on the actual document. That was my Grandmother’s family name.
I am currently searching for family records and have found my Great-Grandmother. Antonia Gwiazda, which is clear on the document. Her given name was Antonina (on her headstone), but I understand why the record stands as written.
Thank you for all the effort. The Polish spellings can be especially tricky.
All of the previously-missing death records have now been added – including Wayne & Macomb counties from 1911. To the best of my knowledge, this collection is now complete. Enjoy!
Please let us know if you find a record with a transcription error, we want the index to be the best it can be.
Thanks again for your patience, and enjoy the now-completed database.
The URL for John Owczarzek (see my previous email of 11/20/11)is http://seekingmichigan.org/u?/p129401coll7,414924
Kris, Unable to access the database today. How sad! Hoping this is just a temporary glitch in the technology.
Seeking Michigan was under construction last week while the site was being redesigned. It is accessible again now, and the database should again be working fine.
Finally!!!!! I was able to view and obtain a copy of the death certificate of my uncle Alfred Wahowiak (my Father’s older brother) who died at only 8 months old in Delta County, Gladstone Michigan in Michigan’s upper peninsula. My grandmother kept a picture of little Alfred in his burial casket in her bedroom closet. I remember going in the closet, although it was spooky and I was afraid, to look at this picture. Alfred was a beautiful little baby boy with curly hair. My grandparents and parents owned and operated Wahowiak’s Shoe Hospital, a shoe repair shop, in Gladstone for many years. We lived upstairs of the business. Locals will remember them as the “deaf” proprietors in Gladstone’s early history since my parents and grandparents were deaf and communicated in American Sign Language. My sister and I who were born hearing often interpreted for our parents when customers came in the shop which saved much time writing notes back and forth to my father’s delight.
Thank you for all the work you are doing!!! I am so happy to have this document!!
Just a correction on the death certificate of Alfred Wahowiak. I realize this cannot be corrected officially since it is this way on the death certificate, but Alfred’s father’s name (my grandfather) is “John Wahowiak”, not Alfred Wahowiak as it states on the death certificate. My grandfather is buried at Fernwood Cemetary in Gladsone, MI and the stone reads “John Wahowiak”. Alfred is also buried in Fernwood Cemetary and his stone reads “Alfred Wahowiak”.