Early History of Kent County, Michigan

 

  • Date Created: 2 March 1831 (Organized in 1836)

  • Name Origin: Named for Chancellor James Kent (1763-1847), New York jurist.  Michigan employed him to defend its rights during the "Toledo War", 1836-37.

  • County Seat: Grand Rapids

  • Formed From: Michilimackinac County and Unorganized Land

  • Michigan Record Search & Info: Michigan & U. S. Censuses, Birth, Marriage & Death Records, Land Records, Military Records, Church & Cemetery Records, Tax Records, Immigration Records, Historical Newspapers, Family Trees, Family & Local Histories.
    (Many of these records are available at the Grand Rapids Public Library - Main Branch, Third Floor.)
     

  • County Records:  County Courthouse, 300 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503
    (Call to verify cost and address before mailing)

  • County Clerk's Office: Ph: 616-336-2885 (See courthouse address above for mailing) -
    Birth records: 1867 to present.  (Anyone may obtain a birth record more than 110 years old.  If the desired record is less than 110 years old, a death certificate must be provided along with proof of relationship to the deceased).
    Death records: 1867 to present (Statewide death records 1867-1882 - link to GENDIS)
    Marriages records: 1849 to present, {Order Online} {Search the Social Security Death Index}
    Divorces: Call or contact the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's office for information
    Adoptions: Adopted persons searching for their original birth record should contact the Adoption Central Registry, P. O. Box 30037, Lansing, MI  48909
    Naturalization/Citizenship Records: The State Archives of Michigan has the naturalization/citizenship records for Kent County for 1860-1929.
    (Submitting written requests - Please include the party(ies) name(s) and supply the date of the event.  If the date is unknown, please supply an approximate date.  We will search a window of about 5 years.  Please call before visiting or mailing fees to confirm hours and other specifics.

  • Register of Deeds: has land records from 1860
    Ph: 616-336-3350,  Fax: 616-336-2885 (See Courthouse for mailing address)

  • Clerk of the Probate Court: has Probate Records from 1898
    180 Ottawa NW, Suite 2500, Grand Rapids, MI  49503
    Ph: 616-632-5440,   Fax: 616-632-5430

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: has Court Records from 1854
    Ph: 616-336-3550,  Fax: 616-336-2885  (See Courthouse for mailing address)

  • State Archives of Michigan: 702 W. Kalamazoo Street, P.O. Box 30738, Lansing, MI  48909-8238,   Ph: 517-373-1408

  • The Historical Society of Michigan:  1305 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, MI 
    Ph: 517-324-1828,  Fax: 517-324-4370

  • Library of Michigan: 717 Allegan Street, Lansing, MI  48909, Ph: 517-373-1580

  • NARA's Great Lakes Region: 7358 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, ILL  60629-5898
    Ph: 773-948-9019