Government Documents

Genealogy Resources

Genealogy is the study of your ancestors, and it is the second most popular hobby in the country crossing ethnic, age, and religious backgrounds. In fact, October was declared National Family History month. Now is the perfect time to get started or renew interests in genealogy. Beware it can become addicting!

The Government Documents department of Michigan State University Libraries has many resources to help researchers of all levels. The department has forms and books on how to get started and where to look for information. There's information on specific ethnicities and orginating countries. If some ancestors were in wars, you can find books about the wars or perhaps actual names or pictures in those books. There are also sources you would not immediately think to look in. Census indexes can be found here, but so can things like the American State Papers that can give lists of names to search, including members of congress or lists of officers. It's all out there, so get searching.

Feel free to take an ancestor chart and get started!

Publications on Display

U.S. Documents

My History Is America's History, U.S. Documents Collection, NF 3.2:H 62

Genealogical Research at the Library of Congress, U.S. Documents Collection,
LC 1.2:G 28/2001

Guide to Records in the National Archives of the United States Relating to American Indians, U.S. Documents Collection, GS 4.6/2:AM 3

Reference Guides: Library of Congress, Humanities and Social Sciences Division, U.S. Documents Collection, LC 1.6/5:17

Family Ties in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, U.S. Documents Collection, LC 1.2:F 21

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774-1989, U.S. Documents Collection, Y 1.1/3:100-34

Fast Facts ABout the 1920 Census, U.S. Documents Collection, AE 1.113:43

Using Maps in Genealogy, U.S. Documents Collection, I 19.2:G 29/28

Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office, U.S. Documents Collection,
AE 1.113:67

Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States 1790: Virginia, U.S. Documents Collection, C 3.11:v 81/1-2

American Decorations, U.S. Documents Collection, W 3.2:M 46/9

Roll of Honor Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defence of the American Union, U.S. Documents Collection, W 39.7:1-8

Guide to Federal Archives Relating to the Civil War, U.S. Documents Collection,
GS 4.6/2:C 49

Anzio Beachhead, U.S. Documents Collection, D 114.9:An 9

Merrill's Marauders, U.S. Documents COllection, D 114.9:M 55

Records Relating to Personal Participation in World War II, Military Awards and Decorations, U.S. Documents Collection, AE 1.124:92

Okinawa Victory in the Pacific, U.S. Documents Collection, D 214.2:G 93

Warships Associated With World War II In the Pacific, U.S. Documents Collection,
I 29.2:W 26

Marines in Vietnam: The war that would not end, 1971-1973, U.S. Documents Collection, D 214.13:V 67/971-973

Vicksburg Official National Park Handbook, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.9/5:137

Vicksburg Official Map and Guide, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.21:V 66/2/999

Antietam, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.58:31/2

A Master Plan for Guilford Courthouse, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.9/2:G 94

A Master Plan for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.9/2:F 77/MC

Cowpens, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.9/5:135

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, U.S. Documents Collection, I 29.2:G 94/2

Michigan Documents

50 Best Michigan Genealogical Resources, Michigan Documents Collection,
Z675.G44 L53 1998

Library of Michigan: Genealogy and Local History Project Information, Michigan Documents Collection, CS44.G46 1987

Library of Michigan: Michigan Sources of Proof, Michigan Documents Collection, CS47.M5 1992

Your Michigan Information Source for... Genealogy, Law Library Services, Michigan Publications, Federal and State Documents, Other Unique Services, Michigan Documents Collection, Z733.M53 Y685

Library of Michigan: Genealogical Checklist, Michigan Documents Collection,
CS16.G363 1987

Library of Michigan: Family Group Chart, Michigan Documents Collection,
CS47.F25 1992

Library of Michigan:Pedigree Chart, Michigan Documents Collection, CS24.L5 1992

Michigan Genealogy Research Network, Michigan Documents Collection, CS44.M53 2000

Tracing Your American Indian Ancestry, E 78.M6 T733 1998

Michigan 1870 Census: This volume comprises Berrien Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties Volume 6, Michigan Documents Collection, F 565.M633 1993 V.6

Michigan Death Index 1867-1882 V.1, Michigan Documents Collection,
F 565.M534 1998 V.1

Michigan Soldiers in the Civil War, Michigan Documents Collection, E 514.W 5 1994 c.2

Canadian Documents

Tracing Your Ancestors in Canada, Canadian Documents Collection, Canada SA2-42/1998E

Reference Sources for Canadian Genealogy, Canadian Documents Collection,
Canada SN3-311/1996

Checklist of Parish Registers 1986, Canadian Documents Collection, Canada SA2-47/1986

Display by Becky Fox and Breezy Silver
Government Documents Library
Michigan State University Libraries