Resources

The Gratiot County Genealogy Library
Hours: Every Tuesday 1-5PM except the weeks of Christmas & New Years. In addition to our regular hours, we will be open from 1-8PM on the following days: May 27, June 24, July 29, Aug 26, Sept 30. Other hours available by appointment.

The genealogy library is located in the Peet/Miller house at 228 W Center St. in Ithaca. Many volumes on the shelves are based on stories and genealogies of families with Gratiot County ties. Early county histories, records of organizations, churches and school, maps, directories, information on business, Gratiot villages and urban areas are available, as well as ship records, census data and other materials too numerous to mention. Volunteers are present to assist vivsitors. Much of the information they collect and publish on Gratiot County and its people may be purchased at the library.

Research fees: $15/hr. for research in our library. This includes up to 15 copies (each additional $.25) and postage. If you require a high quality scan of an image, an additional charge of $1 is applied per image. If a visit to the courthouse is requested, the fee is $10/hr. which does not include photocopies (we will provide handwritten information). The Clerk's Office charges $26 per copy if you prefer the document image (certified only). Records from other court offices are $1/ea.

We require 1 hour research fee paid in advance and the full amount of the Courthouse copy fee(s) if certified copies are requested.

Check out our database index to see what information we have on your ancestors!

The Gratiot County Area Historical Museum

Gratiot County Area Historical Museum at 129 W Center St. in Ithaca was established in 1987. Located in a substantial red brick Victorian house built in 1881, the museum building is on the State Register of Historic Places. A fine collection of furniture reflecting styles of the 19th and 20th centuries has been donated by the public.

The museum is open to the public from mid May until the end of October from 11am to 3 pm each Tuesday. Special visits may be arranged by calling 989.466.5730. the main building is a large two story red brick house built in 1881 and a wooden barn which served as a carriage and horse stable during the last part of the 1800s and early 1900s.

The museum house collections include artifacts largely from the 1850s thru the 1950s. Furniture, ceramics, glass, china, kitchen ware, clothing, needlework, photographs and postcards which reflect the life of the early settlers are displayed as time and space permit.

The small barn is filled with many small farm implements and tools. Also included is a closed buggy and an open farm wagon.

There is no admission fee to visit the museum but donations are very welcome as they are needed for the continued support of the museum.