Michigan Probate Records

Portal:United States Probate >Michigan

Record Overview

Probate encompasses all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, whether there is a will (testate) or not (intestate). Various types of records are created throughout the probate process. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. These documents are extremely valuable to genealogists and should not be neglected. In many instances, they are the only known source of relevant information such as the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their places of residence. They may also include information about adoption or guardianship of minor children and dependents. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but the death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate. Wills usually mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children are given, as well as married names of daughters.

While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they have limitations.

Jurisdictions

Probate and estate matters in Michigan were recorded by the clerk of the probate court in each county. Probate records were kept beginning in 1817, except in Wayne County, which began keeping probate records in 1797.

These records include wills, guardianships, administrator bonds, estate inventories, and other records. They are usually indexed. You can obtain them by writing or visiting the county courthouse.

The Family History Library has microfilm copies of probate files from most Michigan counties up to the year 1900, and some indexes or calendars to 1970.

References

Michigan Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2006.

NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into this Wiki site and is being updated as time permits.