St. Joseph County, Michigan Genealogy
Guide to St. Joseph County, Michigan ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The County was named for St. Joseph. The County is located in the east area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
St. Joseph County Courthouse
125 W Main St.
Centreville, MI 49032-0189
Phone: 616-467-5602
St. Joseph County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records from 1867, marriage records from 1832, divorce and court records from 1900 and naturalization records.
Probate Court has probate records.
Register of Deeds has land records. [2]
St. Joseph County, Michigan Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1867 | 1832 | 1867 | 1900 | 1830 | 1832 | 1820 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[5]
| Cities | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 1,313 | — |
| 1840 | 7,068 | 438.3% |
| 1850 | 12,725 | 80.0% |
| 1860 | 21,262 | 67.1% |
| 1870 | 26,275 | 23.6% |
| 1880 | 26,626 | 1.3% |
| 1890 | 23,356 | −12.3% |
| 1900 | 23,889 | 2.3% |
| 1910 | 25,499 | 6.7% |
| 1920 | 26,818 | 5.2% |
| 1930 | 30,618 | 14.2% |
| 1940 | 31,749 | 3.7% |
| 1950 | 35,071 | 10.5% |
| 1960 | 42,332 | 20.7% |
| 1970 | 47,392 | 12.0% |
| 1980 | 56,083 | 18.3% |
| 1990 | 58,913 | 5.0% |
| 2000 | 62,422 | 6.0% |
| 2010 | 61,295 | −1.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Federal Census
- 1830 Census - 1830 Census of Michigan: St. Joseph County MiGenWeb Project
- 1845 Census - 1845 St. Joseph County Census MiGenWeb Project
- 1850 Census - 1850 Census St. Joseph County MiGenWeb Project
- 1850 Census - 1850 Burr Oak Township Census MiGenWeb Project
State Census
- 1850-1880 - Michigan Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch -How to Use this Collection
- 1894 1894 State Census Index, St. Joseph County. MiGenWeb Project
- 1894 Michigan Department of State. Census of the State of Michigan, 1894. Vol 3. Lansing, MI: R. Smith & co., state printers, 1896. (Civil War veterans only) Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Michigan denominations, view the Michigan Church Records wiki page.
- 1819-1991 - Michigan, Church Records, 1819-1991 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- St. Joseph County Churches by MiGenWeb Project
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
- 1929-1966 Michigan, Crew Lists for various ports, 1929-1966 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Michigan Land and Property for additional information about early Michigan land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the St. Joseph County courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for St. Joseph County. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Michigan Local Histories.
- Portrait and biographical album of St. Joseph County, Michiga FamilySearch Digital Library is a 606 page history of St. Joseph County that was published by Chapman brothers in 1889.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Michigan (1790-1897)
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
Civil War service men from St. Joseph County served in various regiments. Men often joined a regiment or a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are the military units that were formed in or had many men from St. Joseph County.
- - 17th Regiment, Michigan Infantry, Company C
Online Indexes and Records
- 1876-1945 - Michigan, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1876-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1894 Michigan Department of State. Census of the State of Michigan, 1894. Vol 3. Lansing, MI: R. Smith & co., state printers, 1896. (Civil War veterans only) Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
- Michigan, Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, Committee on Civil War Grave Registration, Burial Records at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Civil War Vets by MiGenWeb Project
- Civil War Veterans' Biographies. MiGenWeb Project
World War I
- 1917-1919 - Michigan, Census of World War I Veterans with Card Index, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
World War II
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
- 1837-1993 - Michigan, Eastern and Western Districts, Naturalization Records, 1837-1993 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- St Joseph County Newspapers at MiGenWeb Project
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1820-2006 Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
In most counties in Michigan, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate packets, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
Online Indexes and Records
- 1784-1980 Michigan Wills and Probate Records 1784-1980 at Ancestry ($)
- 1797-1973 Michigan Probate Records 1797-1973 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Michigan tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. Because only persons who owned taxable property were listed, many residents were not included in tax lists. There may also be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information see the Wiki page, Michigan Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
- Birth Records and Death Records from 1867 can be obtained from the Michigan Department of Community Health or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
- Marriage Records from 1867 and Divorce Records from 1897 can be obtained from the County Clerk.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1867-1917 - Michigan, County Births, 1867-1917 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1867-1902 - Michigan Births, 1867-1902 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1585-1945 - Michigan, United States Marriages at FindMyPast $
- 1820-1937 - Michigan, County Marriages Index, 1820-1937 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1820-1940 - Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1868-1925 - Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1850-1880 - Michigan Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch -How to Use this Collection
- 1867-1897 - Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1867-2008, and 1993-current - Michigan Death Record Search. An index to deaths that occurred in St. Joseph county, Michigan is available at the County Clerk's death records Website.
- 1867-1998 - St. Joseph County Death Indexes at MiGenWeb Project
- 1897-1952 - Michigan Death Records at Michiganology - index and images, organized by county and then last name.
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in St. Joseph County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Michigan Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in St. Joseph County. For state-wide library facilities, see Michigan Archives and Libraries.
Sturgis District Library
255 North Street
Sturgis, MI 49091
Phone: 269-659-7224
website
Colon Library
128 South Blackstone Ave
Colon, MI 49040
Phone: 269-432-3958
website Facebook
Three Rivers Public Library
920 West Michigan Ave
Three Rivers MI 49093
Phone: 269-273-8666
website
Constantine Library
165 Canaris
Constantine MI 49042
Phone: 269-435-7957
website Facebook
White Pigeon Library
102 North Kalamazoo Street
White Pigeon MI 49099
Phone 269-483-7409
website Facebook
Mendon Library
314 West Main
Mendon MI 49072
Phone: 269-496-4865
website
Glen Oaks Community College Library
62249 Shimmel Road
Centreville MI 49032
Phone: 269-467-9945
website
Nottawa Public Library
685 East Main Street
Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: 269-467-6289
website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Governor Barry Historical Society
300 North Washington Street
Constantine, MI 49093
Phone: 269-506-1575
Facebook Wikipedia
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in St. Joseph County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Michigan Societies.
Colon Historical Society
Blackstone Ave
Colon, MI 49040
Website
Governor Barry Historical Society
300 North Washington Street
Constantine, MI 49093
Phone: 269-506-1575
Facebook
Tri-state Genealogical Society
c/o Sturgis Public Library
130 North Nottawa Street
Sturgis MI 49091
Phone:616-651-3597
website
St. Joseph County Genealogical Society
PO Box 486
White Pigeon, MI 49099-9734
Website
- Committee will provide one hour of local research for $10.00. Please include a pedigree chart, a stamped self-addressed envelope, along with your check or money order made out to SJCGS
St. Joseph County Historical Society
34 North Main /PO Box 492
Three Rivers, MI 49093
Phone: 616-496-5695
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
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- St. Joseph County, MI-Roots Michigan Roots is a member of the PA-Roots family of websites.
- US GenWeb Project, St. Joseph MI
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- St Joseph County MI Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "St. Joseph County, Michigan" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, wikipedia
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Michigan.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Michigan.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Michigan.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "St. Joseph County, Michigan," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, wikipedia accessed 14 November 2019.
