Michigan, Mortality Schedules - FamilySearch Historical Records

From FamilySearch Wiki
Access the Records
Michigan, Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880
CID2632078
{{{CID2}}}
{{{CID3}}}
{{{CID4}}}
{{{CID5}}}
{{{CID6}}}
{{{CID7}}}
{{{CID8}}}
{{{CID9}}}
This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Michigan, 
United States
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1848-1851 (30 stars)
US Flag 1848-1851 (30 stars)
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Location of the United States of America
Location of the United States of America
Record Description
Record Type Mortality Schedules
Record Group RG 29: Records of the Bureau of the Census
Collection years 1850-1880
Microfilm Publication T1164. Nonpopulation census Schedules for Michigan, 1850-1880 (in the custody of the Michigan State Archives). 77 rolls
FamilySearch Resources
Content Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

The collection consists of an index & images of mortality schedules from Michigan. Mortality schedules only include individuals who died in the year preceding the federal census. Mortality schedules exist for the census years 1850, 1860, and 1880.

Census enumerators requested information from the head of household about deaths that had occurred in the year prior to the census. In 1918 to 1919, the Bureau of the Census distributed the original schedules to states or to the National Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution when states were not interested. Mortality schedules list those deceased during the year prior to the census. This is a small percentage of the total population. At the time of the 1870 census, it was surmised that as many as one-third of all deaths were not reported. For instance, when a family was scattered by the death of the head of household, there was no one left to report it. In 1880 a supplemental report from attending physicians added 60,000 additional names to the schedules. In the absence of vital registration in many states, mortality schedules provided nationwide death statistics for one year of each decade, 1850–1880. According to the official statistical report for 1870, this was done to assess the death rate for age-groups, sex, race, nationality, and occupation and to “deduc[e] the effect of the various conditions of life upon the duration of life.” Census mortality schedules are usually accurate, but this accuracy depended on the knowledge of the informant and the care of the census enumerator.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch provides images and indexes subject to contractual limitations and changes. Access to images and indexes may vary. Some collections may only have partial indexes without images. See Restrictions for Viewing Images for details.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

Information in the records may vary by year but they usually contain the following:

  • Name, age, gender, and color of deceased
  • Free person or slave
  • Whether married or widowed
  • Birthplace (state, territory, or country)
  • Month in which death occurred
  • Occupation (profession or trade)
  • Cause of death
  • If parents were foreign born (1870 Census only)
  • Length of residence in the United States (1880 Census only)
  • Father’s and mother’s birthplace (1880 Census only)

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

  • 1850

    1850

  • 1860

    1860

  • 1870

    1870

  • 1880

    1880

Inventory[edit | edit source]

DGS Roll NARA T1164 Counties
7310975 15 Mortality census, 1860 Allegan - Wayne
7310987 26 Mortality census, 1870 Alcona – Livingston
7310988 27 Mortality census, 1870 Mackinac – Wexford
7270328 74 Mortality census, 1880 Alcona – Gratiot
7270329 75 Mortality census, 1880 Hillsdale – Lenawee
7270330 76 Mortality census, 1880 Livingston – Roscommon
7270331 77 Mortality census, 1880 Saginaw – Wexford

How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your ancestor
  • The place where your ancestor lived

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
  2. Click Search to show possible matches
Tip: More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Mortality schedules for Michigan, 1850. Click on camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]

Mortality schedules are a national level file of state-by-state death registers. Using the death information, you can search for obituaries, mortuary records, cemeteries, and probate records, all of which may provide additional genealogical information. Mortality schedules also list ages and birthplaces for a time period when births were not reported.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Use this information found in the mortality schedule to look for the family in census records
  • Use this information found in the mortality schedule to look for the family in church records
  • Use this information found in the mortality schedule to look for the family land records
  • Use this information found in the mortality schedule to look for the family military records
  • Use this information found in the mortality schedule to look for the family in additional county records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
  • Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
  • Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.
  • Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.
  • There is also the possibility that the individual was missed in the mortality schedule.

Research Helps[edit | edit source]

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Michigan.

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]


Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

DGS stands for Digital Genealogical Society also known as an Image Group Number. Each set of digital images is assigned a DGS number for identification purposes.

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Michigan,_Mortality_Schedules_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records&oldid=6027000"