Free Online Michigan Criminal Records

Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.

Types of Records

• Criminal court proceedings
• Police reports
• Prison and jail admission registers
• Arrest records
• Mug books
• Pardon and discharge information
• Hospital record books
• Workhouse records

Types of Information

• Name
• Age
• Birth date
• Height
• Weight
• Complexion
• Eye color
• Hair color
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Education
• Habits (alcohol use)
• Relations (parents living)
• Date incarcerated
• Court where charged
• Recommitments
• How and when discharged

Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage, please make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.

Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:

(Updated November 2023)

Michigan Criminal Records

United States

• Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
• Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
• Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages

Michigan

• Alpena County, Jail Records, 1927-1940
• Executions in Michigan
• Grand Rapids, Camp Lee Guard Records, 1863-64
• Hillsdale County Jail, 1920 Census
• Ingham County, Criminal Index, ca. 1845-1982
• Jackson County, Cherry Hill or State Prison of Southern Michigan Cemetery
• Jackson County, Michigan State Prison Cemetery (Defunct) AKA Jackson State Prison Cemetery
• Lenawee County, Adrians Girls Training School Cemetery
• Marquette County, Marquette State Penitentiary Cemetery
• Michigan State Prison, List of Inmates Sentenced to Life, 1847-1885
• Reading, Criminal Justice Docket Index, 1953-56
• State School Cemetery
• Wayne County Jail, Inmates, 1850 Census
• Wayne County, Wayne County Jail 1850 Index of Prisoners