Genealogy Resources
Trace your family roots with tools, records, and guides to help uncover your ancestors’ stories.
Key Resources | Vital Records | Court Records | Census | Military | Maps | More Resources | Handouts
Key Genealogy Resources
Available on-site only
Census records, immigration records, military records, birth, marriage, death records, family trees, and more.
Available on-site only
Historical documents and family trees for researching your family history.
Free account required
Extensive historical and genealogical records, family trees, and ancestry guides.
Michigan-specific resources including state censuses, death records, and Civil War documents.
Vital and Related Records
Birth & Death Records
- Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds
- State of Michigan Vital Records Office
- MDL has death records from 1867–1933 on microfilm
- Ancestry, Library Edition (on-site only)
- Michiganology
Marriage & Divorce Records
- Calhoun County District Court
- State of Michigan Vital Records Office
- MDL has marriage records from 1836–1915 on microfilm
Obituaries
- Albion Public Library Obituary Database
- MDL has Marshall Advisor print (current year) and microfilm (1838–2024)
- Digitized newspapers searchable at Newspaper Archive
- Newspapers.com (requires free Library of Michigan card)
Cemetery Records
- MDL has records for most Marshall-area cemeteries
- Helen Warner Branch, Willard Library (some Calhoun County probate records)
- Find A Grave
Court Records
Probate Records
- Calhoun County Probate Court
- Helen Warner Branch, Willard Library
- Ancestry, Library Edition (on-site only)
Naturalization Records
Land Records
Census Records
- Ancestry, Library Edition (on-site only)
- MyHeritage, Library Edition (on-site only)
- FamilySearch (free account required)
- Michiganology
Military Records
- MDL has some Michigan military records and soldier indexes in print
- Ancestry, Library Edition (on-site only)
- Civil War and WWI records via 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 (1858–2020), maps, and atlases at MDL
- Current plats at Fetch GIS
- Some plat maps via Michiganology
- HathiTrust Digital Library:
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
- Maps for 1888, 1893, 1899, 1906, 1911, 1918, 1931, and 1945 available on microfilm at MDL
- Library of Congress digital copies:
More History & Genealogy Resources
John Bellairs Self Guided Walking Tour
Download our tour guide PDF.
Marshall Historical Society
Historical attractions, guided tours, and membership information.
Calhoun County Genealogical Society
Local and general genealogy resources, membership, and meeting schedule.
Albion District Library Local History Room
Obituaries, newspapers, maps, Veteran’s oral history, photographs, and special collections.
Willard Library, Helen Warner Branch
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
Essential resource for those looking for Michigan-based ancestors.
Family Tree Magazine’s Best Genealogy Websites
Helpful collection of genealogy websites organized by category.
Handouts
These free handouts can help you record what you’ve found: