Welcome to Ottawa County

      Welcome to this website which is a part of MIGenWeb and USGenWeb, a network of websites that provide free online genealogical information.

      Prior to the arrival of European settlers this area was the home of the Potawatomi and Ottawa people who used the Grand River as a major trade route.

     The first permanent European settler was Presbyterian minister William Montague Ferry who came to Grand Haven in 1834.  Dutch Calvinist separatists began arriving in 1847 led by Albertus VanRaalte to Holland and James VandeLuyster who established Zeeland.

    The photo to the left is the Ottawa County Courthouse.  

     This site has been updated.  If you find any bad links or missing elements let us know.