Arenac County Vital Records

Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are kept at the office of the Arenac County Clerk.   Early records of each have been microfilmed and are available through Family History Centers operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Note that area records prior to 1883 will be found in Bay County.

Births: 

Many early births prior to 1900 were unrecorded.   For early births, baptism records may be a more reliable source.  Prior to 1885, remote areas were served by visiting pastors who passed through only occasionally to baptize the young and conduct marriages.  Records of these births and baptisms are likely not to be found.   Michigan state law restricts access to birth records for a period of 110 years.

On-line data:	Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995 - index at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan Births, 1867-1902 - index and images at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan, Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)

Marriages: 

Of the Arenac County records, marriages recorded in Books One and Two have been microfilmed.  Book One consists of about 10 pages covering the period 1883-1887.   Book Two covers the period 1887-1952.  The index covers a longer period of time.

On-line data:	Michigan Marriages - to 1850 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)
	Michigan Marriages - 1867-1952 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)
	Michigan Marriages - 1851-1875 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)
	Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925 - index and images at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995 - index at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1935 - index and images at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Arenac County - Dibean Marriage Index Files - Selected extractions at usgwarchives.net (no charge)

Divorces: 

On-line data:

Michigan, Divorce Records, 1897-1952 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)

Deaths: 

Deaths recorded in Books One and Two of Arenac County records have been microfilmed.  Book One consists of a small number of early death records and other death records, largely from the 1930's, of deaths occurring outside the county.    Book Two covers the period 1883 through about 1933.  The index covers a longer period of time.

Many early deaths were unrecorded, even as late as 1920.

On-line data:	Michigan Deaths - 1867-1897 - GENDIS index at mdch.state.mi.us (no charge)
	Michigan Deaths - 1867-1897 - index and images at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan Deaths - 1897-1920 - index and images at seekingmichigan.org (no charge) Use the advanced search option at the top of the home page.
	Michigan Deaths - 1921-1940 - index and images at seekingmichigan.org (no charge) Use the advanced search option at the top of the home page.
	Michigan Deaths - 1941-1952 - index at seekingmichigan.org (no charge) Use the advanced search option at the top of the home page.
	Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952 - index at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan Deaths - 1971-1996 - index at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan Deaths - 1971-1996 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)
	Michigan, Death Records, 1897-1920 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)
	Michigan, Deaths and Burials Index, 1867-1995 - index at Ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)

Census: 

Note that prior to 1883, Arenac County was a part of Bay County.

Additional US Federal Census images are available from Heritage Quest. Home access is available through many library websites. A library card or account is required.

	1730-1940 US Federal Census - index and some images at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan, State Census, 1884-1894 - index and images at seekingmichigan.org (no charge) Use the advanced search option at the top of the home page.
	Michigan, State Census, 1894 - index at familysearch.org (no charge)
	Michigan, State Census, 1894 - index at ancestry.com (restricted - membership or library access required)

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