Find Death Records in Gogebic County

Gogebic County death index records are held by the County Clerk in Bessemer, Michigan. The county maintains death records going back to 1887, the year it was carved out of Ontonagon County. Certified copies are available by request in person or by mail. This page covers how to access the Gogebic County death index, what resources exist for older genealogy research, what fees to expect, and how state-level databases can supplement a local search.

Gogebic County Clerk Death Records Office

The Gogebic County Clerk's office in Bessemer handles death index records and certified copy requests for all deaths registered in the county. The office address is 200 N. Moore Street, Bessemer, MI 49911. Gogebic County is the westernmost county in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, sitting along the Wisconsin border. It was established in 1887 from land previously part of Ontonagon County, so death records in this jurisdiction start with that founding year. For deaths occurring before 1887 in what is now Gogebic County, Ontonagon County records may hold relevant entries.

The fee is $10.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. That flat fee structure is different from many Michigan counties, where additional copies cost less than the first. It's worth confirming current fees directly with the office before sending a mail request. The clerk's office phone is (906) 663-4518. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Central Standard Time. Note the lunch break closure from noon to 1:00 PM when planning an in-person visit.

Mail requests go to the same office address. Include the full name of the deceased, the approximate date or year of death, and your own contact information. A copy of a valid photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope are needed. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to Gogebic County. The clerk's website at gogebic.gov has contact information and any updated instructions for requests.

The Michigan MDHHS maintains state copies of Gogebic County death records and offers an alternative ordering route for those who cannot visit or mail the county clerk directly.

Searching the Gogebic County Death Index

Gogebic County does not maintain a public online death index portal at the county level. For free online research, the state provides two major tools. The GENDIS database covers Michigan death records from 1867 to 1897 statewide, which includes the early Gogebic County years from its founding in 1887 through the end of that decade. GENDIS is searchable by name and is a free resource available directly from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It's a practical first step for anyone researching deaths in the county's earliest period.

For deaths from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology.org has a large and searchable collection that includes Gogebic County. Michiganology is run by a nonprofit organization and draws from state archives and digitized county records. It's free to use and requires no registration. Together, GENDIS and Michiganology cover most of the Gogebic County death index from 1887 to 1952 without a trip to Bessemer or a mail request.

For deaths after 1952, contact the county clerk office or the state MDHHS office. The Michigan MDHHS portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs lists options for online, mail, and in-person ordering at the state level. For deaths in Gogebic County that may have occurred near the Wisconsin border, it is worth noting that the Wisconsin Vital Records Office handles deaths registered on that side regardless of where the person lived.

Note: Under MCL 333.2885, Michigan death records become public after 75 years, so anyone can request records from that period without proving a family connection.

Gogebic County Death Records: What They Include

A certified death certificate from Gogebic County includes the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, cause of death as recorded by the attending physician or medical examiner, informant information, and burial or cremation details. These records are needed for probate, insurance, pension claims, and legal name changes that follow a death. Gogebic County has a relatively small population and a long mining and logging heritage in the Upper Peninsula. Many of the early death records from the late 1800s and early 1900s reflect that history, with occupational causes of death common in the mining era records.

The death index is a summary. It gives names, dates, and registration numbers rather than full certificate content. The index is useful for confirming that a specific person's death was registered in Gogebic County and for getting reference numbers to use when ordering a certified copy. Historical records from this county have also been digitized on FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com, both of which cover Upper Peninsula counties in their Michigan genealogy collections. These are not certified sources but are helpful for family tree research and for locating records that may then be requested from the clerk.

Michigan Vital Records and Gogebic County

The Michigan MDHHS vital records office holds state copies of all Gogebic County death records registered since 1887. Ordering from the state is a useful option when visiting or mailing the Bessemer office is not convenient. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current fees, forms, and processing details. The state office accepts mail and online requests. Processing times vary, but state orders typically take longer than ordering directly from the county clerk.

Michigan law under MCL 333.2843 has required death registration since the mid-1800s. For Gogebic County, that coverage starts in 1887. The combination of county clerk records, the GENDIS index, and Michiganology means that most deaths registered in the county since its founding are findable through at least one of these channels.

Nearby Counties

Gogebic County borders Ontonagon County to the east and Iron County to the southeast. These neighboring Upper Peninsula counties may hold relevant records for deaths near county boundaries.