Kent County
Michigan GenWeb Project

Kent County Courthouse

 

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Welcome to Kent County in Southwestern Michigan.
 
It became a county in 1831. 
On March 22, 1842, the legislature changed the name of the town from Kent to
Grand Rapids.  It is the county seat.
Settlers from the east began arriving in the 1820's and the area became the furniture manufacturing capital of America by the turn of the century. The current Grand Rapids
area population is about 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. 
 

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Researchers

Queries, Biographies, Obituaries, etc. - Message Board

Resources:
 
Adoption Biographies Births Books Online
Businesses Cemeteries Census Churches
County Clerk Communities
(Place Names)
Deaths Diaries
and Letters
Directories Ethnic Funeral Records Furniture
Genealogies Grand Rapids Historical and
Genealogical Societies
Histories
Immigration/
Naturalization
Kent County Land Links
Lookups Mailing Lists Maps - Plat Maps
 
Marriages
Medical Memorial Reports Message Board  
Michigan Military Newspapers Obituaries
Organizations Other Online Sources Pensioners-1883 Pioneer
New Publications Old Queries Requests Researchers
Schools Search Engines Towns Townships 
Veterans Home  Volunteers    Administration

Historical and Biographical Books
 

   Dillenback's 1870 History & Directory
 

Tuttle's 1874 History of Grand Rapids
 

Memorials of the Grand River Valley by Franklin Everett, 1878 
   

Chapman's 1881 History of Kent County
 

Baxter's 1891 History of Kent County
 

  Index to Biographical Sketches, Bowen's History of Grand Rapids & Kent County, 1900 
 

Index to Goss' 1906 History of Grand Rapids and Its Industries 
 

Etten's 1926 Citizens' History 
 

Personal Sketches-History of Kent County, Ed. Arthur S. White, 1924
 

The Catholic Church in the Grand River Valley by Father McGee, 1833-1950  

 

Kent County Coordinator: Evelyn Sawyer - evlynsaw@comcast.net
  Michigan State Coordinator: Jan Cortez   <
StateCoordinator@MiGenWeb.com>

  • Please note that the county coordinator's main role is to maintain this website not to do research.  
    Please carefully check the resources above.  If you don't find an answer, then contact me and I may be able to direct you to additional resources.

  • Looking for a relative?
    Please review the links and use the appropriate query pages or resources.
    We also have a  Researchers and Visitors' FAQ

  • Interested in helping out with our project?
    Visit our Volunteers    and Contributors' FAQ for more information.

  • Any other questions?
    Contact the County Coordinator: evlynsaw@comcast.net

  • NOTE: The GenWeb "Community Guidelines" for Message Board posting:
    We do not post commercial messages, fee-for-service postings, advertising or related links, etc.

 

WHAT's NEW?    

07/01/2009:
   Broken links repaired
06/26/2009:
    Thomson Murder transcribed by Barb Jones
06/26/2009:
    Bidwell Brothers Bilk Bank of England transcribed by Barb Jones
06/26/2009:
    Biographies: William B. Jarvis, Hugh M. Blacklock and General Israel Smith
06/23/2009: 
  Grand Rapids Buildings: Blodgett Building, G. R. Federal Building, Eagle Building,
Engine House No. 4, Kent Theatre, Squier's Opera Hall, Michigan Trust Building, Morton House, Redmond Building, National Hotel, Weston Building, Widdicomb Building
06/23/2009:
    Grand Rapids Businesses: Baker Book Store, Bell Fibre Products, B & G Terminal, G. R. Brewing Co., G. R. Engraving, G. R. Artificial Ice Plant, G. R. Works, Hayes Body Company, Kent Furniture Mfg. Co.,
MacInerney Spring & Wire, May's Men's Clothing Store, Reynolds Metals, Steketee's Department Store
06/21/2009:
    New email address for Grandville Avenue Cemetery information
06/21/2009:
    List 2 of Obituaries: Gedeon Belanger, Payton Bell, Mary Bloem, Clark L. Brown, Geraldine Davidson, Bastiana DeHollander, S/Sgt Foster M. DeVries, Frances J. Duff, Mary Eisenach, Margaret H. Gruenbauer, Thomas Glenfield Hamlyn, Dick Hamstra, Bertha B. Harrington, James E. Hurlbut, John A. Johnson, Wilbur R. Miner, Gerrit Nagelkerk, Emma Payson, Benjamin Clapp Robinson, John B. Roche, Gerrit Schouwink, John M. Segrist, Abraham M. Shapiro, Laurence W. Smith, Anna E. Sommer, Sherman B. Thomas, John Gregory Toohey, Hyitje VanderPloeg, Anna W. Vos, Henry John Wentzel, Edith White, Tryntje Wierenga, G. A. Wolf, Charles Yancharas and George Robert Zylstra transcribed by Barb Jones
06/21/2009:
    List 1 of Obituaries: Grace Achterhoff, Baby Boy Blanker, Edward Broekstra, Cornelius Broene, Marie Christophersen, Erwin DuBois, Arthur Fisher, Jane McIntosh Gunn, Walter J. Hayword, Mrs. Henry Knoper, Jennie Frances Krombeen, Anton Kuete, Gertrude Landstra, Peter Maas, Anne Medema, Bert D. Merrills, Mary Odejeski, Thomas Sebunia, Carrie Shoemaker, Mathias Silkowski, Baby Dixie Lee Stanton, Anna Steenalnd, Minnie Syre, Mary Tansey, Olga Temmink, Dr. Russell I. Victor, Minor Walter, Ralph Williams and Albertus Worst transcribed by Barb Jones
06/21/2009: 
  Obituaries: Jesse R. Bettes, Martin Boland, Howard Bradford, Albert E. Damskey, Clarence Dexter, Melvin Pease, Melvina Pease, Mrs. George W. Rhodes, Rayland H. Rhodes and William Rowley
06/21/2009:
    Bowen's Sketches: Joseph Albright, M. D. transcribed by ES
06/15/2009:
    Kent County Citizenship Records - N,  Q,  U,  Y,  Z  transcribed by ES
06/14/2009:
    Peninsular Club: 1945 List of Members and Children in the Service in WWII
06/13/2009: 
  New Folder: Businessmen's Portrait Gallery
06/13/2009:
    List of Vosper's Sharpshooters, 27th Michigan Infantry transcribed by ES
06/12/2009:
    Additional information added to Linson Beard biographical sketch.
06/12/2009:
    "C" to Death Index for 1850-1940 transcribed by ES
06/05/2009:
    Index to the 1918 List of Women Petitioners For The Right To Vote
05/29/2009:  
 Peninsular Club Obits: Grace Achterhoff, Jesse R. Bettes, Baby Boy Blanker, Martin Boland, Edward Broekstra, Cornelius Broene, Marie Christophersen, Erwin Dubois, Arthur Fisher, Jane McIntosh Gunn, Walter J. Hayword, Mrs. Henry Knoper, Jennie Frances Krombeen, Anton Kuete, Gertrude Landstra, Peter Maas, Anne Medema, Bert D. Merrills, Mary Odejeski, Thomas Sebunia, Carrie Shoemaker, Mathias Silkowski, Baby Dixie Lee Stanton, Ann Steenland, Minnie Syre, Mary Tansey, Olga Temmink, Dr. Russell I. Vietor, Minor Walton, Ralph Williams and Albertus Worst transcribed by Barb Jones
05/29/2009:
    Peninsular Club Bios: Hollis Baker, Sterling Barbour, Blaine Bowman, Paul Buben, Russell Case, Bernard Christenson, Wm Dempsey, Dr. George Fahlund, Bruce Gilmore, Henry Harmon, J. B. Haviland, Thomas Jones, Charles Kirsch, Reno Maccardini, Charles McCallum, David Post, Rev. Verdi Reusser, Dorothy Rothfuss, George Slykhouse, H. David Soet, David Valenti, Charles Vandenberg, Donald Worsfold and John Zanella transcribed by Barb Jones
05/29/2009:
    Bowen's Sketches: Lemuel Brooks, Ephriam Brown, Robert Brownell, Thaddeus Brown, Harry Burleson, G. Burwell, M. D., Jacob Bursma, M. D., Wallis Buck, Daniel Bush, Wm Bush, James Buttolph, Rev. Levi Calkins, Albert Cambell, D.D.S., Charles Carlyle, John Carlyle, James Carpenter, Lorenzo Carpenter, Campbell Carr, Charles Carter, George Cathey, Hon. Volney Caukin, Charles Chadwick, Lorenzo Chapman, Henry B. Childs, Horace H. Childs, Fred Clark, Lewis Clark, L. E. Clintsman, John Coffee, Orwell Cole, Philander Collins, Riley Compton, Abram Cook, Sylvester Cook, John Cooper, M. D., Chester Covell, C. H. Cowdin, Clifton Cowles, Mason Cowles, Shepard Cowles, Volney Cowles, Gradner Cranston, and George Crawford
05/29/2009:
    St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids - 1864 Census Record contributed by Pat Zimmer and Mary Alt
05/28/2009:
    1840 Federal Census for Kent County Redone
05/12/2009:
    Thomas D. Hindman, Civil War soldier, added to Oak Grove Cemetery records
05/11/2009:
    Death Index, "C", 1850-1940
05/11/2009: 
  Additions to Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell, MI contributed by Sharon Wood
05/11/2009:
    A Few Business Ads from 1887 G. R. City Directories
04/28/4009:
   Corrections made
04/27/2009:
    Citizenship Records, "O", transcribed by ES
04/24/2009:
   Photo of Hotel at Stanton, Michigan
04/24/2009:
    Owens, Ames and Kimball History
04/24/2009:
    Beginnings of Aquinas College
04/24/2009: 
  Medical - U. B. A. Hospital picture
04/24/2009:
    GR/Places - Rose Beach at Reed's Lake, Additional pictures of Ramona Park Pavilion and
Fulton St. Fountain, and Campau Square looking east, and Lincoln Park 
04/24/2009:
   GR/Bldgs - Rindge Furniture Exhibit Building
04/22/2009:
   GR/Places - Grand Rapids Airport
04/22/2009:
    GR/Businesses - Old National Bank, Furniture Factories, T. W. Teevin Carriage Shop, IBM, Inc. and Michigan National Bank
and Berkey and Gay Furniture Factory 
04/22/2009: 
  GR/Bldgs - Ryerson Library, Marywood Academy, Wonderly Block, Grand Rapids Water and Light, Early Association of Commerce Building   
04/20/2009:
   GR/Places - J. I. Cutler residence
04/20/2009: 
  GR/Bldgs - Pictures of Flat Iron Building, Forslund Building, 1888 Helmer Building, Boy Scout Service Center and G. R. Federal Building
04/20/2009:    GR/Events - 1917 G. R. Liquor Store reopens in 1933 transcribed by ES
04/20/2009:
    GR/Businesses - Pictures of Greenleaf Cafe, G. R. Storage Co., B & G Terminal, Houseman's,
Herpolsheimer's new building, G. R. Boxboard Company and
04/20/2009: 
  Central Reformed Church new building, 1957
04/20/2009:
   Picture of original St. Andrew's church building
04/19/2009:
    Update on Rolfe Cemetery, Lowell Township - contributed by Tim Holtz
04/19/2009:
    Bates St. Christian Reformed Members, 1867-1873 transcribed by ES
04/19/2009:
    Bates St. Christian Reformed Births and Baptisms, 1867-1873 transcribed by ES
04/18/2009:
   List of Civil War Soldiers in Chapman's 1881 History transcribed by Barb Jones
04/18/2009:
    1907 Dictionary of Grand Rapids published by the Old National Bank transcribed by Barb Jones.
04/09/2009:
    1926 Lee High School Year Book transcribed by ES
04/08/2009:
    Early History of Westminster Presbyterian Church transcribed by ES
03/18/2009:
    Bowen's Sketches: Edgar J. Adams, Gerrit H. Albers, Andrew Allgier, George Marshall Ames, Alfred Melancthon Apted, Rufus S. Bacon, Sumner S. Bacon, George H. Baert, M. D., Marion T. Banasawitz, M. D., Benjamin F. Barendsen, Hon. Edmund M. Barnard, Simon Z. Barney, M. D., and Urban Bauman transcribed by Barb Jones
03/18/2009:
    Corrections made to information on some of the military societies - contributed by Wenda Fore
03/08/2009:
    History of the O-wash-ta-nong Club and the Boat and Canoe Club in Grand Rapids transcribed by ES
03/08/2009:
   1921 Bank Robbery in Grand Rapids transcribed by ES
03/08/2009:
    1928 Grandville High School Yearbook transcribed by ES
03/02/2009:
    Obituary for Dr. Llewelyn Wedgewood, longtime physician in Grandville transcribed by ES.
03/02/3009:
    Organizations In Kent County from Chapman's History, 1881 transcribed by Barb Jones
02/23/2009:
    Bowen's Sketches: Hon. William F. McKnight, Asa W. Slayton, Charles R. Sligh, Charles O. Smedley, Josephus C. Sproat, Charles E. Temple, Capt. John A. S. Verdier, Alfred M. Webster, M. D., Eli Willis Wells, V.S., Demmett Welsh, M. D., Capt. Edwin Went, George Westveer, M. D., Gen. William L. White, Theodore O. Williams, Charles M. Wilson, Hugh E. Wilson, William Winegar, Alfred Wolcott and Irving Woodworth
02/16/2009:    Bowen's Sketches: James A. Ardiel, John Steketee, Moses Taggart, William Aldrich Tateum,
William Wisner Taylor, William James Thomas and Charles Wellington Tufts transcribed by Barb Jones
02/16/2009:
    Early History of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church transcribed by Barb Jones
01/21/2009:
    List of Patrons from the 1876 Kent County Atlas transcribed by ES
01/21/2009:
    Bowen's Sketches: George Russell Perry, Gen. Byron R. Pierce, Rev. Simon Ponganis, Rev. Isaac Platt Powell, Jacob Tome Preston, Henry B. Proctor, Dr. Theodore Proskauer, Dr. Lemuel D. Putnam, Thomas E. R. Reed, Dr. George R. Renwick, Dirk Riemersma and John Ringold transcribed by Barb Jones
01/10/2009:
   Lowell German Methodist Members, 1858-1916
01/10/2009:
   Fountain Street (Baptist) Church - Members, 1885-1837;  Members, 1911-1951
01/10/2009:    Bowen's Sketches: Robert W. Morris, Hon. Jefferson Morrison, Capt. John Muir,
Byron A. Nelles, George B. Newell, Hon. Richard L. Newnham, Isaac Noble, Coleman Nockolds,
Albertus Nyland and Hon. Cyrus E. Perkins transcribed by Barb Jones.
01/07/2009:   
Sophie de Marsac Chapter No. 235 members 1919-1920 transcribed by ES
01/04/2009:
   Grand Rapids Buildings and photos: Peninsular Club, Temple Emanuel, Histories of some businesses and photos:  C. & D. Company, Budde Cleaners Logo, Dexter Industries, and P. B. Gast Company   Rockford - History and photos of Wolverine Worldwide
01/02/2009:
  Sorry for any inconvenience, as I had to change computers and in the process many of the files were doubled and I have repaired the links through the whole website.  If you find any broken links, please let me know.

What's New?" -Archived Announcements:
1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002  -  2003 - 2004
- 2005   2006  2007  2008  2009
 

 


!!WANTED!!
Old Records Pertaining to Kent County
To Be Placed on this GenWeb.

  • BOOKS/BOOKLETS: such as old school yearbooks, church anniversary books, women's and men's organizations that give listings of members.

  • TOWNSHIP RECORDS:  Old voter registrations, early marriage and death records, school records, etc. 

  • PHOTOS: Pictures of schoolhouses or classes, sports teams, etc. with their names and years.

  • OTHER: Old family letters, local businesses, and more.
    These would need to be the early years until about 1940 time period.  Birth Records, if they are family records, are fine.  If they are from official records, then they need to be 100 years old.  Death and Marriage Records to the present.  If you send photocopies or scanned photos and articles, we would appreciate them.  
    OR if you have material that you would loan us to scan or transcribe to put on the website, please let us know.
            Evelyn Sawyer  - new email address:  evlynsaw@comcast.net

    A big "Thank You" to those who have responded. 
    Everyone working together can make this website even better.


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Copyright © 2001-2008 by Evelyn Sawyer
Copyright © 1999-2001 by Jennifer Godwin, Ronnie Aungst and a merry band of volunteers.
Copyright © 1997-1999 by Mary del Rivette.