how do I find 1952 death record from Pontiac, MI?
Small child (approx. age 2) died about 1952 in Pontiac, MI. No results on Public Records, Ancestry, etc. Michigan state not showing results earlier than 70’s. Don’t know the county of death. Do have parents last name.
Records from the 1950s aren’t on the internet because of privacy laws. But you can look it up if you go to the Oakland County Clerk’s office. They allow in-person lookups and you can get the information you need without buying a death certificate. If you want a copy of the record, they’ll usually let you get an "uncertified" copy much cheaper than the normal $15 fee you pay for a certified copy.
If it’s not at Oakland County, then the odds are Macomb, Wayne or Genesee counties. I’d call ahead and ask Oakland if they have it. If not, call Wayne, then Macomb and Genesee. If you REALLY can’t find it in any of those counties, then you have to pay the full fee for the State query to get a copy.
Event: Death
Dates: From 1867
Cost of copy: $13.00 (covers a 3-year search)
Comments: Access to death records in Michigan is open to everyone. Please include with your request the person’s (named on the record) full name at death, date of death, the place of death (at least the city or county), the decedent’s place and date of birth (if known) and the full names of the decedent’s parents. If any of this information is unknown, please indicate that it is unknown. Some Michigan death records (especially pre-1897) were not filed with the state but may be available by contacting the County Clerk for the county in which the birth occurred .
Application for Death Record
References :
MICHIGAN VITAL RECORDS.
Records from the 1950s aren’t on the internet because of privacy laws. But you can look it up if you go to the Oakland County Clerk’s office. They allow in-person lookups and you can get the information you need without buying a death certificate. If you want a copy of the record, they’ll usually let you get an "uncertified" copy much cheaper than the normal $15 fee you pay for a certified copy.
If it’s not at Oakland County, then the odds are Macomb, Wayne or Genesee counties. I’d call ahead and ask Oakland if they have it. If not, call Wayne, then Macomb and Genesee. If you REALLY can’t find it in any of those counties, then you have to pay the full fee for the State query to get a copy.
References :
I live in Dearborn Heights and have been doing this for many, many years.