Frequently Asked Questions
Anyway that works for you.
If you are expecting to click on an individual's name and jump to the original source, you
will be disappointed in this site.
This site is not a link to the original sources (except for a few sources), but rather a cumulative every-name index
that will make you aware of the many sources that should be included in your own research
library.
It will not allow you access to the source, but rather, point you to the source.
Use these sources during your research at your local library or purchase the source
directly from the Internet.
To start, click on the alphabetic character at the top of the page that represents the first name of the surname you are searching for, and select the range
of names you are interested in.
This will take you directly to the correct page for your individual of interest.
Alternately, to browse through the entire index, select the first letter of the surname
you are researching above, and scroll forward or backward through each page.
Also read the example on the Home Page.
It's not that simple.
Place names and other subject heading are omitted.
This is a cumulative full-name index, so only full names are included.
In some cases, the books have been re-indexed because no complete name index exists.
In other cases, an existing index was revised by adding supplemental names.
To emphasize a key point mentioned above: only full names are included on this site.
The original back-of-the-book index may list "Lincoln, Abraham" when the text lists "Mr. Lincoln", "Lincoln"
or even "the President".
All names listed in the back-of-the-book index are referenced at least once
on this site, but may be listed on dozens of pages in the text as non-full names.
This is usually the case for the famous, unknown individuals are usually referenced by their full names.
For this reason you should consult the back-of-the-book index to complement this index.
Another modification from the original indices to this work; titles such as Dr.,
Honorable, Judge, Jr., Mr. and Sr. are omitted, except with the name is not complete.
Because this list includes a variety of works over a span of several generations, the same person could appear with a
dozen different titles.
The only exception to this title rule is 'Mrs.' when this would change the identity of the
listed individual by dropping it.
Check your local library catalog for these sources.
Although these books may be special-ordered at your local bookstore, follow the links on the
Publications page to purchase these books directly from the internet.
If your local library doesn't have the publication you are searching for, you might consider purchasing the book and
donating it. This way you will always have ready access, make it available to others, and also take advantage of a
tax deduction.
If you are unable to find these sources by the above means, feel free to contact me (as a last resort).
I have most of these sources digitized for my own use and will help when I can.
No.
Although most sources deal with Michigan residents some visitors died while on route to
somewhere else and are buried here.
Likewise, some were born under similar circumstances while just passing through.
My goal was to include all individuals, regardless of where they were born or where
they died if they are listed in Michigan publications.
Yes and no. There are state-wide sources that may include your county, even if that particular county hasn't been started yet.
Likewise, some regional sources, or military regimental histories may include names from all parts of Michigan.
To get a better idea of where I have spent my time on county specific resources, click here for map.
Keep in mind that some sources, i.e. Military histories, State-wide or regional histories span the entire state and
do not show up in this map.
This map only shows sources specic to within a county, with the totals for that particular county.
If it is indexed and a copy has been donated to the Library of Michigan, I will probably get around to including it someday.
To expedite the inclusion, please send a review copy to my Post Office box.
If I have it handy, I'll be more inclined to work on it sooner.
If there is no index, you may not be completely out of luck.
I have indexed here for the first time many publications with no back-of-the-book index.
In case there is no index, it would also help to have the book sent for evaluation.
Any books sent will not be returned and not guarantee inclusion in my website.
Send a few pages if you would like advanced assurances before sending any books.
When I am finished indexing the publication, I'll find a good home for it.
By re-indexing these works, I have circumvented any copyright issues, as the index that appears on my website is not
the same as in the back-of-the-book index that appears in your publication.
As an aside, there is no financial gain for me to have your publication listed on my website.
Your Society, on the other hand, may increase sales by my links to your Society webpage
(consult your Web Master for the number of referrals via www.michlist.com from potential buyers of your publication).
Nevertheless, if you still believe that your free inclusion in this state-wide resource is a bad thing, have the current
Society President send me an email requesting removals and all references will be removed, usually within 24 hours.
Sure, although I never make misteaks.
All names are indexed as they appear in the original source, e.g. Willaim.
The same person may be listed as William, Wm., W., or just ---, meaning they were only known by their surname.
While this may seem obvious, be aware that searching for one person may take you through several web pages for the same individual.
If you are sure there is an error, please email me and I'll double check and correct as soon as possible.
Well, check out the source.
Obviously, there will be many references to common names.
The problem is sometimes due to repagination in different editions.
Find the individual in the index at the back of the book, or if the name appears in my
index but not in the original source index, check a few pages before or after the
designated page number.
Another tip would be to find any name on a page nearby, find that individual in my
index, then figure the difference in page numbers to determine if you need to go back or
forward so many pages.
Yes.
The first two positions define the county the records are from, with the exception of "a_".
The next two positions define the township or city the records are located in.
The fifth field defines the type of record as follows:
- a -- Atlas, gazetteers, maps
- b -- Biographies, diary, journal, narrative, reminisces, monuments
- c -- Cemetery, sexton
- d -- District, city, township, village
- e -- Enumeration, census
- f -- Federal Records
- g -- Genealogy, family histories
- h -- History, portrait, sociology
- i -- Immigration, naturalization, citizenship
- j -- Jails, orphanages, schools, institutions
- k -- Knights, Heraldic Visitations, Nobility, Peerage, Royal Houses
- l -- Land, property
- m -- Military, draft, navy, veteran, rosters
- n -- Newspapers, Death notices, marrage notices, obituaries
- o -- Occupation, profession, industry
- p -- Probate, wills, estates
- q -- Quarterly, magazine, periodicals, serials
- r -- Religious, church, Charities
- s -- State records, voting
- t -- Tax
- v -- Vital records, birth, marriage, divorce, death, funeral
- w -- Tools, arms, equipment, weapons
- x -- Ethnic, Nationality, Race, gender
- y -- Chronology
The last position is a unique identifier usually taken from the author's name or title.
In the case of a county-wide record, the first four identifiers would be "co__" to indicate more than one city within that county.
In the case of a state-wide source, "a_" is chosen and the remaining identifers are shifted over to indicate the type of record.
I'm always looking for new ideas to improve this web site.
The best method to contact me is at my email address at jim@michlist.com
James N. Jackson