The 1710 French census is the first compiled for some of the land that eventually became the state of Michigan, including places along the Au Sable River. Federal census records for Michigan and the Michigan Territory are available to the public after 72 years. As of 2023, each decade from 1800 through 1950 (1890 is fragmentary) is in the public domain. Federal “Industry and Agriculture Schedules” and “Mortality Schedules” exist for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Michigan’s federal censuses begin 1870. Region residents prior to that would be enumerated in Bay County.

Michigan’s state censuses are a hit-or-miss situation, with not all counties available and sometimes only a fragment of the county.

• 1827, 1834 – Territorial households, no individual names
• 1845, 1854, 1864, 1874 – Names males over 21
• 1884 – Names household members
• 1888 State Special, veterans only
• 1894 – Names household members, Civil War veterans only
• 1904 – This census was completely destroyed, only the statistical analysis exists