Local Family History Resources in Battle Creek, Michigan

Researching family history and genealogy in Battle Creek, Michigan and surrounding areas can be as easy as logging on to the internet, picking up a phone, or driving into town. The Calhoun County Court house and County Clerk's office is one location. The Willard Library and Helen Warner Branch are the others.

The Calhoun County Justice center is located at 161 E. Michigan Ave. in Battle Creek, and its phone number is (269)969-6789. The Calhoun County Clerks office is located at 315 W. Green St. in Battle Creek. The county clerk's office is available to purchase records. These records are, birth records, death records, marriage records, assumed names (DBA's), genealogy records, and concealed weapons permits. You must fill out application forms to receive any of these documents. You can get these documents online at

In Battle Creek, you also have Willard library and their Helen Warner branch for your research needs. Willard library is located at 7 West Van Buren St Battle Creek, MI 49017. Their hours are Monday through Thursday 9 am to 9 pm, Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, and September through May, Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm. The Helen Warner Branch is located at 36 Minges Place Battle Creek, MI 49015. Their hours are Monday through Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and September through May, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. The number for both locations is (269)968-8166. The local history department is located in the Helen Warner Branch. They include extensive local historical resources. They have local newspapers on microfilm that date from 1852 to the present. They also have Michigan Federal and State censuses also on microfilm. They offer free genealogy classes for those who want to learn more about genealogy and how to research it. They also offer many genealogy/family history programs. Both locations offer outreach services for those who are unable to get to either location due to lack of mobility, disability, or other illness. They have the Bookmobile, which operates on Thursdays and Fridays. The bookmobile delivers library materials to those that are unable to get to either location. They also have the homebound readers program. This program is a free service that also provides library material to those that are homebound due to illness or disability. These materials are either delivered by a volunteer personally, or sent by mail with a postage paid return envelope.

All of the above-mentioned locations have great ways to research family history and genealogy. Not all services are free. All locations also offer staff that can help you find what you are looking for, and assist you in your research.www.co.calhoun.mi.us/docs/vital.taf, or pick them up at the clerk's office in Marshall. There are fees for these documents that range from, no charge up to $105.00. These fees may be paid with check or money to Calhoun County Clerk if mailed to clerk's office in Marshall or the Justice Center in Battle Creek. You must provide a photocopy of your driver's license if requesting your forms by mail. Birth records are available on people born in Calhoun County only. Death records are available on those that died in Calhoun County and marriage records are open to the public. Marriage records can only be received from the county where the license was issued. The clerk's office has in-office genealogy research hours. These hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. You can research marriage records from 1833 to the present, birth records from 1867 to the present, and death records from 1867 to the present.