Alger County, Michigan
Alger County was created on March 17, 1885 and was formed from Schoolcraft County. The County was named for Russell A. Alger, governor of Michigan at the time (1885-1886) and later U.S. senator (1902-1907). The County Seat is Munising.
Counties adjacent to Alger County are Luce County (east), Schoolcraft County, Delta County (south), Marquette County (west). Townships found in Alger County include Au Train, Burt, Grand Island, Limestone, Mathias, Munising, Onota, Rock River Townships. Cities, Towns and Communities include
Au Train, Chatham, Deerton, Eben Junction, Grand Marais, Munising, Rumely, Shingleton, Trenary, Wetmore.
County Court, Probate and Tax Records
All departments below at located at the Alger County Courthouse, 101 Court Street., Munising, MI 49862 , unless a different address is listed below. NOTE: The date listed for each category of record is the earliest record known to exist in that county. It does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and certainly does not indicate that all such events that year were actually registered. See also the Alger County Courthouse History
Alger County Clerk has the following Records for: Births: 1884 to present. Birth records are available only to the individual named on the birth record (registrant), the parents of the registrant, a legal guardian of the registrant, a legal representative of the registrant or an heir of the registrant. Deaths: 1884 to present. Marriages: 1887 to present. Divorces: 1887 to present and is located at the County Courthouse, see address above for contact information. Phone: 906-387-2076,
Fax: 906-387-2156. Comments: Office space allows for three genealogists at one time. Children are allowed.
The County Clerk is responsible for keeping records of births, deaths, assumed names, co-partnerships, issuing and filing marriage licenses, gun permits, notary bonds and processing passports. The date listed for each category of record is the earliest record known to exist in that county. It does not indicate that there are numerous records for that year and certainly does not indicate that all such events that year were actually registered.
Alger County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1884 and is located at the County Courthouse, see address above for contact information. Phone: 538 (906)387-2076.
The Register is the County's official recording officer for all legal documents pertaining to the transfers and encumbrances of all real estate property within the County. The Register also provides permanent storage for approved original subdivision plats, condominiums, land surveys and section corners.
Alger County Clerk of the Probate Court has Probate Records from 1889 and is located at the County Courthouse, see address above for contact information. Phone: (906)387-2080 .
The Court Adjudicates and disposes of cases involving property of persons who have died or become incompetent, interprets wills and trusts, commits the mentally ill when necessary and appoints guardians and conservators for minors, incapacitated individuals and individuals with developmental disability.
Alger County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Court Records from 1885 and is located at the County Courthouse, see address above for contact information. Phone: (906)387-4636 .
The Clerk provides a variety of functions for the court such as, but not limited to: filing and maintaing the official record for all cases that come before the court; providing staff to assist in the operation of the court; working with the Jury Commission and notifying all potential jurors to appear for jury duty; and, processing felony criminal cases bound over from the District Court.
County Treasurer - Property tax records at the county level usually date back to the first land records. Either the county treasurer or the register of deeds will be the custodian of these records.
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Alger County Court Records by clicking the link below:
County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records
Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is located at 201 Townsend Street, Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor, Lansing MI 48913 (across the street from the state capitol - south side). The office hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon-Fri, except for State holidays. They are open thru the lunch hour. If applying in person, you must submit your request by 3:00 pm in order to obtain same-day service. It can take up to 1-3 months to get a vital record from Michigan.
- Birth Certificates: The Vital Records Office maintains birth records that occur in Michigan since 1867 to the present. Birth records are restricted in Michigan and only a person or parent named on the record or a legal guardian of the person named on the record may request a copy. A legal representative is eligible to request a copy if he/she represents the person named on the record. Photo identification is required to request a Michigan birth record (unless the birth record is at least 100 years old).
- Cost: Initial search (fee includes a 3-year search, Each additional year is $12.00 per year) and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $26.00 and $12.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "STATE OF MICHIGAN". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Mail to: Vital Records Requests, PO Box 30721, Lansing MI 48909
- Processing Time: If the birth year is 1906 to the present, your request will be processed within 4 weeks. If the birth year is prior to 1906, the processing time will be 1-3 months. when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
- Death Certificates: The Vital Records Office maintains death records that occur in Michigan since 1867 to the present.
- Cost: Initial search (fee includes a 3-year search, Each additional year is $12.00 per year) and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $26.00 and $12.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "STATE OF MICHIGAN". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Mail to: Vital Records Requests, PO Box 30721, Lansing MI 48909
- Processing Time: If the death year is 1916 to the present, your request will be processed within 4 weeks of receipt in the vital records office. If the death year is prior to 1916, the processing time will be 1-3 months when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
- Marriage Certificates: The Vital Records Office maintains marriage records that occur in Michigan since 1867 to the present.
- Cost: Initial search (fee includes a 3-year search, Each additional year is $12.00 per year) and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $26.00 and $12.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "STATE OF MICHIGAN". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Mail to: Vital Records Requests, PO Box 30721, Lansing MI 48909
- Processing Time: If the marriage year is 1926 to the present, your request will be processed within 4 weeks of receipt in the vital records office. If the marriage year is prior to 1926, the processing time will be 1-3 months when ordered by MAIL
- Divorce Certificates: The Vital Records Office maintains divorce records that occur in Michigan since 1867 to the present.
- Cost: Initial search (fee includes a 3-year search, Each additional year is $12.00 per year) and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $26.00 and $12.00 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to "STATE OF MICHIGAN". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Mail to: Vital Records Requests, PO Box 30721, Lansing MI 48909
- Processing Time: If the divorce year is 1925 to the present, your request will be processed within 4 weeks of receipt in the vital records office. If the divorce year is prior to 1925, the processing time will be 1-3 months when ordered by MAIL.
- Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
- Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.
- Apply In Person: If you wish to apply in person to order a Michigan vital record, you may do so at the office located at 201 Townsend St, Capitol View Building, 3rd Floor, Lansing MI 48913 (across from the State Capitol). Lobby hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Directions are available by logging onto our website at: www.michigan.gov/mdch or by calling 517-335-8666. A check or money order is preferred, and orders in our lobby must be placed by 3:00 pm in order to request same-day service. An additional fee of $10.00 is required for same-day service orders. Please allow a 2-3 hour waiting period for same-day service.
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Alger County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
County Census Records
Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable
Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Alger County, Michigan are 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Alger County Census Records by clicking the link below:
- Submit a website for Alger Co. Census Records
- Census Records at Archives.com
- Michigan Census, 1827-70: This collection contains the following indexes: 1827 Territorial Census Index; 1837 Kalamazoo County Index; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1845 State Census Index; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index; Early Census Index.
- Michigan State Census, 1894: This database contains information from the 1894 Michigan State Census for the counties of Barry, Bay, Benzie, Dickinson, Emmet, Gratiot, Iosco, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Menominee, Montcalm, and Washtenaw.
- Alger County, Michigan Census Books at Amazon.com
- Census & Voter Lists
County Maps & Atlases
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Maps. Email us with websites containing Alger County Maps by clicking the link below:
- Submit a website for Alger Co. Maps
- The USGenWeb Archives Digital Map Library
- Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection: Michigan Maps
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Historical Maps of Michigan - Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Map of Michigan Territory
- American Memory Map Collection: 1500-2004 - extensive selection from the Library of Congress Map Collections, focusing on Americana and cartographic treasures.
- Alger County, Michigan Map Books at Amazon.com
- Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.
County Military Records
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Alger County Military Records by clicking the link below:
- Submit a website for Alger Co. Military Records
- Michigan Society of Daughters of the American Revolution
- National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution,
- Michigan Society of Sons of the American Revolution,
- National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, 1000 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40203; (502) 589-1776
- Southern Claims - Barred and Disallowed (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
- Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900 from the State of Michigan (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Pension applications for service in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917, grouped according to the units in which the veterans served.
- Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783
(The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
- Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War
(The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
- Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files
(The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, from NARA publication M804.
- Civil War Principals and Substitutes Index
- Civil War Soldier Images Database
- Guest Register of World War I Michigan Clubroom (located in New York City)
- World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing: State of Michigan
- 1835 Michigan Territorial Pensioners
- 1840 Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services State of Michigan
- Michigan in the Civil War: This database contains a report compiled from reports of the Adjutant General and reports held by the War Department in Washington, of the services of Michigan regiments, batteries, and companies in the Civil War.
- Michigan Military Records, 1775-1836: This database, originally compiled in 1920, is a collection of burial and pension records for residents of the state prior to 1836.
- Alger County, Michigan Military Books at Amazon.com
County Genealogical Addresses
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Alger County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
- Submit a website for Alger Co. Genealogical Addresses
- Grand Marais Historical Society,
P.O. Box 179,
Grand Marais, MI 49839
- Alger County Historical Society,
P.O. Box 201,
Munising, MI 49862
- National Archives - Great Lakes Region (Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; E-mail: chicago.archives@nara.gov (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.) General Information Leaflet
- State Archives of Michigan, 702 W Kalamazoo Str, P.O. Box 30738, Lansing, MI 48909-8238; (517) 373-1408; Original material generated by government offices at the state and/or local level, including census records, tax assessment rolls, military records and photographs are among the extensive holdings. They also have some naturalization files, correctional facility records, school records, and depression era agency files. The archives distribute information circulars on many topics. The circulars act as finding aids to their extensive collection.
- The Historical Society of Michigan, 1305 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823; (517) 324-1828; Fax: (517) 324-4370, e-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org
- Library of Michigan, : 702 W. Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48909; Holdings here include an extensive genealogical and historical collection including books, microforms, manuscripts, newspapers, surname index, Centennial and Sesquicentennial Certificate applications, and diaries. Records are housed in a new building with card catalog. See: http://michigan.gov/hal/libraryofmichigan for more information/services. Limited reference service to mail request. They also offer online reference services at: librarian@michigan.gov
- Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
- Michigan Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
County County Cemeteries & Graveyards
There are many churches and cemeteries in Alger County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Alger County Tombstone Transcription Project.
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Alger County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
County Church & Bible Records
For periods before the advent of civil registration of vital statistics, Michigan church records rank as the best available sources for information on specific vital events: birth, marriage, and death. Michigan bible records is a good primary source for genealogy research and information. You will find many different Michigan surnames listed in many of these Bibles which include old photos, obituaries and other facts such as birth and death dates.
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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits
Below is a list of online resources for Alger County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Alger County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below: