St. Clair County, Michigan
                                            Genealogy on the Web

Libraries, Museums, Societies, Books

This page contains information pertaining to genealogical & historical societies as well as links to many of the libraries and museums located both in and outside of St. Clair County, which may have information useful to those researching the history and genealogy of the Blue Water area. It also contains a list of books that may be useful in your research.

I take no responsibility for the content of these sites; they are listed as a service to our visitors. Call ahead for all libraries and museums to confirm hours of operation. Please let the county coordinator know about any broken or updated links.

You will find much additional information relative to the contents of this page at the Resources page, including indices and transcriptions of some of the books and atlases.  Be sure to check it out, and take plenty of time to browse the various sections.

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Libraries

• Clarke Historical Library ~ Central Michigan University Web Resources Directory

• Detroit Public Library - Online Catalogue

• Library of Congress ~ Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Books from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, ca. 1820-1910

• Michigan Electronic Library: The genealogy page at MEL includes links to a number of useful online resources.

• St. Clair County Library System - The county library system consists of nine branches throughout the county, including the main branch in Port Huron. Many of the branches have at least some genealogy-related information, which may not appear in the electronic card catalog. Each of the branches also has somewhat different hours, so if you're planning a trip to the area, it's best to check with each branch you may visit to double-check when they'll be open. The branches are in Port Huron, Algonac/Clay Township, Capac, Kimball Township (G. Lynn Campbell Library), Ira Township, Marine City, Marysville, Memphis, St. Clair and Yale. More information about the library system and the individual branches is available through their web site. You can also search the electronic card catalog. Policy on Research Requests

Museums

• Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society Museum - Videos, artifacts and models of boats, including a replica of the hydroplane racer Miss America X, a World War II landing barge and the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, highlight this museum's collections. 1240 St. Clair River Drive (M-29), Algonac, MI 48001. (810) 794-9015.

• Algonac-Clay Township Log House and Pearl Beach Waiting Station - This original log cabin houses area artifacts and memorabilia. The restored Pearl Beach station used to serve the Interurban railway line between Detroit and Port Huron. Only open during Log Cabin Day event on the last Sunday in June.
  4710 Pointe Tremble Road, P.O. Box 228, Algonac, MI 48001.

• Huron Lightship Museum - A "floating lighthouse," this National Historic Monument offers tours of the main deck and the engine room.
  Pine Grove Park, Port Huron, MI 48060. (810) 982-0891.

• Marysville Historical Museum - Features a variety of Marysville memorabilia, including photographs, a 1920s-era kitchen and an automotive room. The Archives were transferred January 2001 to the New Museum "The Old FireHall", part of the Marysville Historical Museum.  887 Huron Blvd.  Marysville, MI 48040  810-364-5198. Contact Lois Wedge for information

• Port Huron Museum - Relive local history in an authentic 1800s pioneer log home, a pilot house from a Great Lakes shipping vessel or view other maritime exhibits. Memorabilia from Thomas Edison's boyhood home are also on display. 1115 Sixth Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. (810) 982-0891.

• Pride and Heritage Museum - Includes exhibits about the history of the Blue Water area, including marine artifacts, photographs, farm equipment and 19th-century household items. 405 South Main Street, Marine City, MI 48039. (810) 765-5446.

• Red Brick Schoolhouse Museum - The schoolhouse, dating from the 19th century, displays local historical artifacts and a recreation of classroom life in the pioneer days. Tours available by appointment only. 696 Meisner Road, East China, MI 48054. Call East China Township offices at (810) 765-8879.

• St. Clair Historical Museum - Sam Crawford paintings and historical St. Clair artifacts are on display. Some historical and genealogical information is available for the St. Clair, China Township and East China Township areas. 308 South Fourth Street, St. Clair, MI 48079. (810) 329-6888.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES & GROUPS

• Huron Valley Genealogical Society - 1100 Atlantic, Milford, MI 48042

• Michigan Genealogical Council - Liaison Office, Library of Michigan, 717 West Allegan, Lansing, MI 48909

• Michigan Historical Commission - 505 State Office Bldg., Lansing, MI 48913

• St. Clair County Family History Group - Dues vary, depending on type of membership, but are still very reasonable. The Family History Group publishes a newsletter, Blue Water Family, which accepts queries. They also have several publications for sale.  P.O. Box 611483, Port Huron, MI 48061-1483

• Sons of the American Revolution - 2031 L'Anse St., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081

• Sterling Heights Genealogical and Historical Society - P.O. Box 1154, Sterling Heights, MI 48311

Books  

• Books You Thought You'd Never Find ~ This company specializes in old out of print books. They buy old personal collections and from libraries that close or reduce their inventory to single copies. This site is worth a visit.

• Rare Book and Manuscript Library Maps ~ Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library Maps provide vivid visual representations of geographical regions and sometimes include notations and artwork that provide deeper insights into the events of the time. The Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library of the University of Georgia contains a collection of rare maps in digitized form.  While many of the maps focus on Georgia and the surrounding area, the collection contains more than 800 historic maps spanning nearly 500 years, from maps of the New World from the 16th century through the early 20th century. Maps from the Revolutionary War and Civil War periods provide excellent details of the areas they represent, including maps of a number of military engagements in which your ancestors may have been involved. Pam - "The List Lady"

• Title:  The History of East China Township, 1859-1959 Author:  Griffor, Mary Agnes. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  977.4E128 G876h

• Title:  Tri-annual Atlas & Plat Book, St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Rockford Map Publishers. Publisher:  Rockford, Ill. : Rockford Map Publishers, 1964. 1964. Other Titles:  Atlas & Plat book, St. Clair County, Michigan St. Clair County, Michigan. DPL Main DPL Main Library History & Travel Non-Circulating  912.774 S19R5

• Title: 1845 State Census of St. Clair County, Michigan : census sheets photocopied from microfilm : index of all names. Author:  Lewis, Ruth Ziegenmeyer Publisher:  Lansing, Mich. (3800 Glasgow Dr., Lansing 48911) : R.Z. Lewis, 1996. Other Titles:  State census of Saint Clair County, Michigan. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  74s3 929.3 L588

• Title:  Atlas & Plat book, St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Rockford Map Publishers. Publisher:  Rockford, Ill. : Rockford Map Publishers, 1974- Later title:  Rockford Map Publishers. Other Titles:  St. Clair County, Michigan. DPL Main DPL Main Library History & Travel Non-Circulating  912.774 S19R5

• Title:  Biographical Memoirs of St. Clair County, Michigan: to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography-memories of eminent men and women in the United States, whose deeds of valor or works of merit have made their names imperishable. Publisher:  Logansport, Ind. : B. F. Bowen, 1903. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  74s3 920 B5

• Title:  Combination Atlas Map of St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Everts & Stewart. Publisher:  Philadelphia, Everts & Stewart, 1876. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  912.774s3 E93 1876

• Title:  Farm Plat Book with Index to Owners, St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Rockford Map Publishers. Publisher:  Rockford, Ill. : Rockford Map Publishers, -1961. -1961. Later title:  Rockford Map Publishers. Other Titles:  Plat book with index to owners, St. Clair County, Michigan. DPL Main DPL Main Library History & Travel Non-Circulating  912.774 S19R5

• Title:  First Land Owners of St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Taylor, Hilda A. Publisher:  Lansing : Michigan Genealogical Council, Michigan State Library, Michigan Unit, 1978. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  74s3 929.3 T214f

• Title:  History of St. Clair County, Michigan; containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan. Publisher:  Chicago, A.T. Andreas & co., 1883. DPL Main Library History & Travel Closed Stacks  977.45 S15

• Title: John Keyzer Smith. Records Taken from History of St. Clair County, Michigan, 1883 - "Commissions" copied from originals loaned by Miss Jane Smith to Anna Russell Vance. Author:  Vance, Anna Lydia Russell, 1858- comp. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  B S65213 V27

• Title:  Land Atlas and Plat Book, St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  Rockford Map Publishers. Publisher:  Rockford, Ill. : Rockford Map Publishers. Other Titles:  St. Clair County, Michigan. DPL Main Library History & Travel Ready Reference  912.774 S19R5

• Title:  Marriages in Sanilac County, Mich., 1849-1869 - Author:  Robinson, Margaret F. Publisher:  [Lansing, Mich. : Lansing, Michigan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution], 1965. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  74s5 929.3 D26m

• Title:  Plat Book of St. Clair County, Michigan - Author:  W.W. Hixson & Company. Publisher:  Rockford, Ill. : The Company, [193-?]. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  912.774s3 H642 19--

• Title: St. Clair County, Michigan, its History and its People; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests - Author:  Jenks, William Lee, 1856- Publisher:  Chicago, Lewis publishing co., 1912. DPL Main Library History & Travel Closed Stacks  977.45 S15J

• Title: Standard atlas of St. Clair County, Michigan : including a plat book - compiled and published by Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
  Publisher:  Chicago, Ill. : Geo. A. Ogle & Co., 1897. DPL Main Library Burton Historical Non-Circulating  912.774s3 O35 1897

• Blue Water Reflections: A Pictorial History of Port Huron and the St. Clair River District - 192 pages, with index and bibliography. Consists mostly of historic photos. Mary C. Burnell, Norfolk, Virginia: Donning Company, 1983 

• Local History and Personal Sketches of St. Clair and Shiawassee Counties - 341 pages, illustrated. Some libraries have this on microfilm. Unfortunately, it has no index. George Newman Fuller, Dayton, Ohio: National Historical Association, 1924.

• 1845 State Census of St. Clair County, Michigan - Census sheets photocopied from microfilm, includes index of all names. Ruth Z. Bowen, compiler, Lansing, Michigan: R. Z. Lewis, 3800 Glasgow Dr., Lansing, MI 48911, 1996.

• Pioneer History of St. Clair County taken from Public Records - 8 page typescript. Copies are available on microfiche. Harvey Tappan, Algonac, Michigan, 1910

• St. Clair County Index of Owners Listed on the 1876 Plat Map - 110 pages, softbound. This book is currently in print and available from the publisher. An alphabetical index by surname of property owners with township and section as listed on the 1876 plat map of St. Clair County. Wilma M. McPherson, compiler, Port Huron, Michigan: St. Clair County Family History Group, 1996

• Algonac Community Centennial, 1867-1967, Algonac, Michigan - 80 pages, illustrated, some portraits. Algonac Community Centennial Historical Booklet Committee, 1967 

• A Township Named Lynn - 16 pages, illustrations, map, and bibliography. Anna P. R. Murray, Menominee, Michigan: A. P. R. Murray, 1976 

• A Short History of Marine City, Michigan - 48 pages, including illustrations and portraits. This is the text of a speech that McElroy originally delivered to a Rotary Club meeting on October 10, 1929. Frank McElroy, Marine City, Michigan: Marine City Rotary Club, 1980

• A History of Cherry Beach - 18 pages, illustrations. Focus on Cottrellville Township's Cherry Beach area, south of Marine City on the St. Clair River. Katheryn Seestedt, Mt. Clemens(?), Michigan: Macomb Printing Specialties, 1977.