KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI
GENEALOGY & LOCAL HIST]ORY
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Kalamazoo Public Library 1908
Resources and Information for Local History and Family Researchers
| PRIMARY RESOURCES: |
| Death and Marriage Lookup Information Request Page |
| The National Archives |
| GENDIS Michigan Death Index |
| Social Security Death Index |
| Dibean Marriage Index |
| Ancestry.com |
| AREA LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS: |
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Kalamazoo Aviation Museum and Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame |
| REGIONAL, STATE, and OTHER LIBRARIES: |
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Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room |
| Library Servers via WWW |
| GENEALOGY and HISTORICAL SOCIETIES |
| OTHER GENEALOGY ORGANIZATIONS |
| MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT and RELATED LINKS |
| KALAMAZOO COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LINKS |
| sEE OTHER PAGES: |
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SEE THE CEMETERY PAGES FOR STREET ADDRESSES, EMAIL ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF CITIES, TOWNSHIPS, AND VILLAGES IN KALAMAZOO COUNTIES |
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315 S. Rose St. The Kalamazoo library has a Local History Room with a collection of county and local histories, old city directories, and plat maps. Their microfilm collection includes Michigan census records through 1920 - including soundex - and back issues of the Kalamazoo Gazette. There is also a online index to the Gazette (citations only) which can be searched: Newspapers and Local History Database (I suggest you select "word or phrase" and "Local Indexes and Community Information" for best search results) If you find the title of an article you want to see you can go to the Library Local History Room or send for it. Obtaining copies of Newspaper Articles From the Kalamazoo Heritage, a publication of TheKalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society: "You have found an article (s) you wish to request? On a piece of paper, , indicate who and what you are looking for, cite the name and location in the paper of each item, include your own name and address. On the outside of an envelope, write "Obit Request", enclose a $1 and send it to Local History Room; Kalamazoo Public Library; 315 S. Rose St.; Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007. Their minimum charge is $1 and will usually get you 2 articles, each additional article will be 30¢ plus postage; and they will send you a bill. Orders over $5 must be prepaid." The local history room is located on the second floor of the remodeled library, at the top of the stairs. The microfilm readers are located adjacent.
click on image to enlarge it GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES: The Kalamazoo Library web site has a page that lists the basic genealogical resources available in the library: http://www.kpl.gov/collections/LocalHistory/genealogy/genealogy.aspx QUESTIONS ANSWERED: The Library has a web page for answering questions via telephone or email: |
201 W. Kalamazoo Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49002
(269) 383-8840
http://www.kalcounty.com/clerk/index.htm
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County Clerk's Division
(269) 383-8840 Register of
Deeds'
Division (269) 383-8970 Court Clerk Office's
(269) 383-8837 County Clerk/Register Timothy A. Snow,
CMC Kalamazoo
201 W. Kalamazoo Ave. Clerk Division 269 383-8840 Register of Deed Division 269 383-8970 Circuit Court Division 269 383-8837 E-mail: tasnow@kalcounty.com
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Kalamazoo County Probate Court
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Administrative Services Division:
(269) 383-8898
Ruth Gruizenga The court has wills and other probate records on microfilm some of which can also be found at the LDS family history center and Kalamazoo Public Library.
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Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Clerk
227 W. Michigan Ave. Court Administrator Douglas W.
Slade The Circuit Court Clerk's Office is responsible for the records of the court. The office processes court records, performs records management functions and receives and disburses court-ordered payments. The Court has records of naturalizations and other court proceedings. |
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Western Michigan University Archives and Libraries http://www.wmich.edu/library/libcoll/ Waldo Library (Main Library) http://www.wmich.edu/library/index.php 1903 W. Michigan Ave. "The Central Reference Department is located on the First Floor of Waldo Library. It houses approximately 70 public workstations where patrons can search WestCat (the WMU Libraries' online catalog) A complete list of the Libraries' online databases is available on the Library's home page shown above.* WMU Archives and Regional History Collections http://www.wmich.edu/library/archives/index.php Room 111, East Hall, East Campus Mailing Address "The Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections serves the University and greater southwestern Michigan Communities. The Regional History Collections is designated by the Michigan Historical Commission as a State Archives repository for the public records of twelve counties in southwest Michigan, including Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. Various county, township, city and village materials including tax records, court records and minutes, as well as selected naturalization records, are on deposit through the State Archives." "Staff assist approximately 2,500 on-site researchers and respond to many telephone and mail inquiries annually. Finding aids are available for non-cataloged materials and are available upon request. Materials do not circulate. Photocopy and duplication services are available for most materials and staff will provide free information upon request." Located in the former University High School gymnasium, the archives maintain an excellent collection of census films for New York, Michigan and other Midwestern states. In addition, the archives contain a collection of atlases, plat maps and local histories. It is located in the former University High School gymnasium (now East Hall) .
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1112 North Drake Rd. LDS Family History Center is located in the back of the LDS church. The LDS Family History Center has vital records available on microfilm for many Michigan counties. Other films may be ordered from Salt Lake City for a small charge. A personal computer with the International Genealogical Index (IGI), Ancestral File, and Social Security Death Index is also available. The library is usually open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays; however, there are some seasonal closings so call ahead for hours. |
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State Archives of Michigan web pages Michigan Historical Center "With documents dating back to 1797, the State Archives of Michigan houses much of Michigan's record heritage. More than 80 million state and local government records and private papers, 300,000 photographs and 500,000 maps, plus films and audio tapes are available for public research. Records in the State Archives are particularly useful for tracing genealogy, legislative history/intent, land surveys, military service, and governmental policy on mental health, public health, education, labor, welfare and corrections." Vital Records Application Forms: Request forms for certified birth, death, marriage, and divorce from the Michigan Department of Community Health. |
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Genealogical Death Indexing System - Michigan A searchable death index available from Dept. of Community Health for years 1867-1884. IMMIGRATION RECORDS LINK http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/
A searchable data base of deceased persons covered by social security showing basic information including name, birth date, death date, last residence, and place the SS card was issued.
Early Michigan Marriages Data Base by County
Advertised as the largest collection of family history on the web. Some free and many subscription services. |
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AREA LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS Alamo Township Museum John E. Gray Memorial
http://home.earthlink.net/~tommaas/Alamo_Township_museum.htm Augusta - McKay Memorial Library
105 S. Webster Climax Lawrence Memorial Library
107 N. Main Comstock Township Library http://www.comstocktownshiplib.org/ 6100 King Highway The library contains a local history room and a Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society Room. Galesburg Memorial Library
188 East Michigan Avenue Galesburg Historical Museum
and Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame http://www.michiganaviation.org/ 3101 East Milham Road Kalamazoo Valley Community College Main Campus
Arcadia Commons Campus 282 North Rose Kalamazoo Valley Museum
230 N. Rose
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Arcadia Creek Building Parchment Community Library http://www.parchmentlibrary.org/
401 South Riverview Drive Portage Public Library click on image to enlarge it
The Portage Library contains a heritage room with historical and genealogical materials. click on image to enlarge it
The Portage Library also has an on line catalogue. Richland Community Library http://www.richlandlibrary.org
Schoolcraft Community Library http://woodlands.lib.mi.us/schoolcraft/schoolcraft.html
click on image to enlarge it http://www.trainbarn.com/index.htm 10234 East Shore Drive Located on a centennial farm, this historic building houses a model railroad exhibit, hobby shop with trains dating back to the late 1800's, and a 2,800 sq. ft. Lionel train layout with viewing on Saturdays only. The Train Barn is open year round, Tuesday through Saturday except holidays. No admission, except for viewing the second floor exhibit. click on image to enlarge it
More images available on the Historical Marker Pages Vicksburg District Library 215 S. Michigan click on image to enlarge it
FANNY M. BLAIR LIBRARY Fanny M. Blair, a member of one of Vicksburg's pioneer families, built this library and presented it to the Ladies Library Association on November 21, 1902. Charles A. Fairchild of Kalamazoo designed the building with "modern conveniences" like electric lighting and running water. The Ladies Library Association administered the library until ownership transferred to the village of Vicksburg in 1948. The Library contains a heritage room with many historical and genealogical items. click on image to enlarge it
Vicksburg Depot Museum and Historic Village Vicksburg Historical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~mivhs/
300 North Richardson Street Email address: vixmus1@yahoo.com The volunteer organization with approximately 10,000 historical and genealogical individual items in its collection occupies the former Grand Trunk depot in Vicksburg. The Museum is open Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. Exhibits are changed several times a year, and historical meetings are held monthly. REGIONAL, STATE, AND OTHER LIBRARIES Battle Creek - Willard Public Library
7 W. Van Buren http://www.grapids.lib.mi.us/collections/grhsty_spcoll/index.html 60 Library Plaza NE "The Local History Department of the Grand Rapids Public Library holds the second largest collection of local and family history materials in the state of Michigan, with over 30,000 books and periodicals, 200 manuscript collections, and more than one million photographs and negatives." HOLLAND, MI Genealogy Resource Guide - inc Dutch Family info 300 S. River Ave Central Michigan University "The original goal of the Clarke Library was to document all aspects of the history of Michigan and the Old Northwest Territory. "...and a superb collection of birds-eye views of Michigan towns and cities. In addition, the library has federal census manuscript returns for Michigan from 1820 to 1920 available for researchers on microfilm." Historical Library Web Resources Directory Full-text files and exhibits made available on the web by the Clarke Library including Native Americans, One Room Schools, and Mapping Michigan Detroit Public Library - Burton Historical Room http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/burton/burton_index.htm Note: non resident users must obtain a non resident library card ($100) or a daily use pass ($10) 5201 Woodward Ave. "The genealogical collection, one of the finest in the country, includes: books; charts of individual families, federal census population schedules, records of births; marriages, baptisms and cemetery inscriptions; wills and probate records; church membership lists; military records; registers of deeds; newspaper obituaries; biographical encyclopedias; and county and town histories." see the online resources for History, Arts, and Libraries: 717 West Allegan St. Library of Michigan Cemetery Search - by County, Township, Cemetery Name and/or Keyword http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/index.html 900 Webster St. "The Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library was organized in 1961 by the library director for whom it was named. The department's renowned collection contains more than 220,000 printed volumes and 251,000 items of microfilm and microfiche." (As well as a large of collection of records on computer disks ) Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/ Thomas Jefferson Building, Room LJ G42 "As one of the leading genealogical collections in the country, the Library has more than 40,000 genealogies and 100,000 local histories. The collections are especially strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources. These international strengths are further supported and enriched by the Library's incomparable royalty, nobility, and heraldry collection, making it one of a few libraries in America that offer such collections."
Making of America Digital Library Making of America (MoA) is a digital library of primary sources in American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction. Two Universities now participate: Making of America - digital library of primary sources - University of Michigan contribution, over three million pages Making of America - digital library of primary sources - Cornell University contribution, nearly a million pages
American Memory - Historical Collections for the National Digital Library "American Memory is the online resource compiled by the Library of Congress National Digital Library Program. With the participation of other libraries and archives, the program provides a gateway to rich primary source materials relating to the history and culture of the United States." Also See the History Links on the History Index Page |
GENEALOGY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
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Links to other Michigan Genealogical sites
Michigan Family History Resources
Denise's adoption/genealogy homepage
Repositories of Primary Sources - Michigan
MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT AND RELATED LINKS
MEL: Michigan Local Government
WMU Government Information Links
KALAMAZOO COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
A directory of city, village, and township offices and officials is available at: http://www.kalcounty.com/directory/officialsdir.htm
Kalamazoo County Government Site
Kalamazoo County Cities,Townships, and Villages
Kalamazoo Area School Districts
Kalamazoo County Demographic Information
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce
SEE THE CEMETERY PAGES FOR STREET ADDRESSES, EMAIL ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF CITIES, TOWNSHIPS, AND VILLAGES IN KALAMAZOO COUNTIES
