Pre-state census records

Michigan residents were counted in 17 censuses before Michigan became a state in 1837. About half of these were Detroit-area censuses taken by the French, the British, and the Americans. Other pre-state censuses include an 1827 territorial census and federal censuses of 1810, 1820, and 1830.

In her book Michigan Censuses 1710-1830 Under the French, British, and Americans, Donna Valley Russell has compiled a full transcription of all the censuses taken in Michigan before statehood in 1837. She gives a brief history of each census and lists where the censuses have been previously published. In many cases, the author also adds footnotes to clarify the identity of someone listed in a census. Her indexed book is an excellent guide to Michigan's early census records.

For more information about censuses, see Chapter 5 of Michigan Genealogy.

A companion site for the book Michigan Genealogy.
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