Genealogy Resources
Trace your family roots with tools, records, and guides to help uncover your ancestors’ stories.
Key Genealogy Resources | Vital Records | Court Records | Census | Military Records | Maps | More Resources | Handouts
Key Genealogy Resources
Available on-site only
A wealth of genealogical documents, including census records, immigration records and passenger lists, military records, birth, marriage, and death records, and so much more, including family trees.
Available on-site only
An assortment of historical documents and family trees for those researching their family history.
Need to create a free user account
An extensive collection of historical and genealogical records, family trees, and guides to learn more about your ancestry.
This site, offered by the Archives of Michigan, contains a variety of Michigan-specific resources, including the state censuses, death records, and Civil War documents.
Vital and Related Records
Birth and death records
- The county clerk’s office at the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
- State of Michigan Vital Records Office.
- The Marshall District Library has most death records from 1867-1933, available on microfilm.
- Ancestry, Library Edition (available on-site only).
- Michiganology
Marriage and divorce records
- Available at Calhoun County District Court.
- State of Michigan Vital Records Office.
- The Marshall District Library has most marriage records from 1836-1915, available on microfilm.
Obituaries
- The Albion Public Library has an extensive collection of local clipped obituaries, and a searchable obituary database.
- The Marshall District Library has print copies of the Marshall Advisor (Review/Chronicle) for the current year and microfilm newspaper collections from 1838 to 2024.
- Majority of the Marshall newspapers from 1838 to 2024, Albion newspapers from 1849 to 2011, and Tekonsha newspapers from 1967 to 2019 are now digitized and searchable at Newspaper Archive.
- Newspapers.com is available to those who have a Library of Michigan library card. To request a free Library of Michigan card, fill out the application at the bottom of the Get a Library Card page.
Cemetery records
- The Marshall District Library has records for most Marshall-area cemeteries.
- The Helen Warner branch of the Willard library has some Calhoun County probate records.
- Find A Grave.
Court Records
Probate records
- The clerks of the Calhoun County probate court.
- The Helen Warner branch of the Willard library has some Calhoun County probate records.
- Ancestry, Library Edition (available on-site only).
Naturalization records
- The county clerk’s office at the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Land records
- The county’s Register of Deeds at the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
- Calhoun County Internet Land Records Search.
Census Records
- Ancestry, Library Edition (available on-site only).
- MyHeritage, Library Edition (available on-site only).
- FamilySearch (need to create a free user account).
- Michiganology.
Military Records
- The Marshall District Library has some Michigan military records and soldier indexes, in print.
- Ancestry, Library Edition (available on-site only).
- Some Civil War and World War I records available through Michiganology.
- Fold3, Library Edition provides a vast collection of military records and is available to those who have a Library of Michigan library card. To request a free Library of Michigan card, fill out the application at the bottom of the Get a Library Card page.
Maps
Plat maps
- Some Calhoun County plat books from 1858 to 2020, maps, and atlases are available at the Marshall District Library.
- Current plats are accessible at Fetch GIS.
- Some plat maps are available through Michiganology.
- The following Calhoun County plat maps are available through HathiTrust Digital Library:
Sanborn Maps
- The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan for 1888, 1893, 1899, 1906, 1911, 1918, 1931, and 1945 (revision) are available on microfilm at the Marshall District Library.
- The following Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan are accessible through the Library of Congress:
More History and Genealogy Collections
John Bellairs Self Guided Walking Tour
Click here to download our tour guide.
Marshall Historical Society
Links to Marshall historical attractions, offers of guided tours, and membership information.
Calhoun County Genealogical Society
Links to local and general genealogy resources, membership information, and meeting schedule.
Albion District Library Local History Room
Information about the Albion area’s historical and genealogical records, such as obituaries, newspapers, maps, Veteran’s oral history, photographs, and other special collections.
Willard Library, Helen Warner Branch
Help with Battle Creek genealogy and local history, local records and documents (including plat books, deeds, and probate records), and collection of Battle Creek newspapers and obituaries.
Library of Michigan
An essential resource for those looking for Michigan-based ancestors.
Family Tree Magazine’s list of the best genealogy websites
A helpful collection of genealogy websites, organized by category.
Handouts
These free handouts can help you record what you’ve found:
Ancestor Chart
From the Mid-Continent Public Library
Family Group Chart
From the Library of Michigan
Genealogy Log of Documents
From the Mid-Continent Public Library
Individual Worksheet
From the Mid-Continent Public Library
Pedigree Chart
From the Library of Michigan
Research Checklist
From the Mid-Continent Public Library