Seeking Michigan's first major project is the digitization of roughly 1 million death records covering the years 1897 through 1920. These records -- never before available electronically -- are indexed for easy searching by name, death date, location and age, and hold tremendous research opportunities for genealogists, historians and students.
The online resource is a collaboration between the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan. Site design and digitization of resources were funded through various grants.
With plans in place to add much more material, Seeking Michigan currently includes:
- More than 100,000 pages of Civil War documents
- Approximately 10,000 photographs
- A variety of Michigan sheet music
- Roughly 1 million death records
- A rich section about Michigan's 44 past governors
- Works Progress Administration data (circa 1936-1942) about land and buildings throughout rural Michigan
- Oral histories with notable Michigan residents.
The Archives of Michigan is part of the Michigan Historical Center. The Michigan Historical Center and the Library of Michigan are agencies within the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.