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Archiver > GenTips > 1997-07 > 0867774858


From: "h.m. zabel" <>
Subject: Michigan Vital Records
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 97 16:51:12 UT


Dear Pamela,
I called the Library of Michigan in Lansing (517) 373-1300, also have info
at (http://www.libofmich.lib.mi.us). They have an index to statewide births
from 1867-1915. However, this index includes only the name and record location
(e.g. book and page number) for each child. Actual records are kept in Lansing
at the Michigan Department of Community Health (517) 335-8656, and the county
of origin (in this case, Kent count).

The automated recording at the Michigan Department of Community Health gives
the following information:
For mail requests, allow 15 days for a certified copy of birth certificates.
In person requests, allow 45-60 minutes.
For mail requests, allow 45-60 days for a certified copy of death, marriage,
and/or divorce records. In person requests take 4 days.
Please supply:
date of event
name at time of event
city, town, county of event
parent's names, including mother's maiden name.
The charge is $13.00 for the first copy of any record. Payment is required
with request. Send check or MO payable to State of Michigan.
Mail requests to:
Michigan Department of Community Health
Office of the State Registrar
P. O. Box 30195
Lansing, MI 48909

I also called the Kent County Clerk's Office in Grand Rapids (616) 336-3550.
They have copies of the records as well.
According to the woman I spoke with, you will need to provide proof of your
grandfather's death with a copy of a death certificate, AND proof of your
relationship to him including birth and marriage records.
A typed transcription of the birth record, including ALL information from the
original, will cost $7.00 for the first certified copy and $3.00 for each
additional. They will NOT photocopy the record because of its age. Photocopies
are available for those records available on microfilm (which does not include
1900).
Requests can be mailed to:
Kent County Clerks' Office
300 Monroe
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Apparently, you do not have a choice as to what type of a copy (e.g.
certified photocopy or certificate of registration) because of the year of the
event.

Hope this has been helpful. I will post this in case anyone else is
interested.
Good luck,

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