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!