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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Bay City (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Bay City. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Name Variations for Bay City ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

The city of Bay City was originally named Lower Saginaw

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

A Few Details for Bay City ...

While it's still very early in our research, we found that:

  • Bay City was founded in 1837.
  • It was incorporated in 1865.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Bay City is located in Bay County and is the County Seat.

To see how the shape of Michigan's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Bay County: Arenac, Gladwin, Midland, Saginaw & Tuscola.

Below are the counties that are near Bay City. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Bay City:

  • Bay County     (The home county of Bay City)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.
    • Wenona ‑ Historic
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Wenona. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wenona
      • Wenona is located in Bay County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Wenona
      • From Bay City to Wenona
    • West Bay City
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for West Bay City. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Bay City
      • West Bay City is located in Bay County
      • West Bay City has also been known as:
      • West Bank City
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to West Bay City
      • From Bay City to West Bay City
    • Banks ‑ Historic
      (Less than 2 miles to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Banks. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Banks
      • Banks is located in Bay County
      • Banks has also been known as:
      • Bangor
      • Bank City
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Banks
      • From Bay City to Banks
    • Salzburg ‑ Historic
      (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Salzburg. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salzburg
      • Salzburg is located in Bay County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Salzburg
      • From Bay City to Salzburg
    • Essexville
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Essexville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Essexville
      • Essexville is located in Bay County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,244 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Essexville <3>
    • Brooks ‑ Historic
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Brooks. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooks
      • Brooks is located in Bay County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Brooks
      • From Bay City to Brooks
    • Wenona Beach ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
    • Kawkawlin
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Frankenlust
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Amelith
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Brissette Beach
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Munger
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Munger have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Munger
      • Munger is located in Bay County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Munger <3>
  • Arenac County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.
    • Whites Beach
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Saganing
      (23 miles [37 km] to the north)
    • Pine River
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Pine River. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine River
      • Pine River is located in Arenac County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Pine River
      • From Bay City to Pine River
    • Standish
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Standish have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Standish
      • Standish is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,388 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Standish <3>
    • Arenac
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Arenac. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arenac
      • Arenac is located in Arenac County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Arenac
      • From Bay City to Arenac
    • Sterling
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sterling have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sterling
      • Sterling is located in Arenac County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 498 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sterling <3>
  • Genesee County
  • Gladwin County
  • Gratiot County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.
    • North Wheeler
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for North Wheeler have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North Wheeler
      • North Wheeler is located in Gratiot County
    • Wheeler
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wheeler have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wheeler
      • Wheeler is located in Gratiot County
  • Huron County
  • Midland County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.
    • Midland
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Averill
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Averill. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Averill
      • Averill is located in Midland County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Averill
      • From Bay City to Averill
    • Hope
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hope have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hope
      • Hope is located in Midland County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hope <3>
    • Ryan
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ryan have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ryan
      • Ryan is located in Midland County
    • Sanford
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
    • Edenville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Edenville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edenville
      • Edenville is located in Midland County
    • Porter
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Redstone
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
  • Saginaw County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.
    • Melbourne ‑ Historic
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Melbourne. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melbourne
      • Melbourne is located in Saginaw County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Melbourne
      • From Bay City to Melbourne
    • Kochville
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Crow Island ‑ Historic
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crow Island have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crow Island
      • Crow Island is located in Saginaw County
    • Zilwaukee city
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Zilwaukee city. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zilwaukee city
      • Zilwaukee city is located in Saginaw County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,517 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Zilwaukee city
      • From Bay City to Zilwaukee city
    • Carrollton
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Saginaw
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Buena Vista
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
    • Freeland
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Freeland have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Freeland
      • Freeland is located in Saginaw County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Freeland <3>
    • Blumfield Corners
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Reese
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Reese have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reese
      • Reese is located in Saginaw County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,366 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Reese <3>
    • Dice
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Frost
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Frost. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frost
      • Frost is located in Saginaw County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Frost
      • From Bay City to Frost
  • Tuscola County

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Bay City, see our County-by-County Page for Bay City.

Cemeteries Near Bay City ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Bay City.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Bay City covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Bay City had a population of 27,839 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Bay City had a population of 32,435 people.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Bay City, with the one closest to Bay City listed first.

  • Salzburg ‑ Historic
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Salzburg. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Salzburg
    • Salzburg is located in Bay County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Salzburg
    • From Bay City to Salzburg
  • Banks ‑ Historic
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Banks. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Banks
    • Banks is located in Bay County
    • Banks has also been known as:
    • Bangor
    • Bank City
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Banks
    • From Bay City to Banks
  • Brooks ‑ Historic
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Brooks. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brooks
    • Brooks is located in Bay County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Brooks
    • From Bay City to Brooks
  • Essexville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Essexville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Essexville
    • Essexville is located in Bay County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,244 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Essexville <3>
  • Frankenlust
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Melbourne ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Melbourne. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melbourne
    • Melbourne is located in Saginaw County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Melbourne
    • From Bay City to Melbourne
  • Wenona Beach ‑ Historic
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
  • Kawkawlin
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Munger
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Munger have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Munger
    • Munger is located in Bay County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Munger <3>
  • Zilwaukee city
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Zilwaukee city. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zilwaukee city
    • Zilwaukee city is located in Saginaw County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,517 people
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Zilwaukee city
    • From Bay City to Zilwaukee city
  • Crow Island ‑ Historic
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crow Island have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crow Island
    • Crow Island is located in Saginaw County
  • Carrollton
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Bay City. See our List of 1890's Communities around Bay City.

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Bay City ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 179 newspapers that have been published in the area around Bay City.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Bay City. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Bay City and those printed in the larger area surrounding Bay City.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<6> of Bay City.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Bay City:

The official website for Bay City: www.baycitymi.org/

The official website for Bay County: www.co.bay.mi.us/

The official website for State of Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<2>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Bay City, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Bay City) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Bay City. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 43.5956, Longitude: -83.8882    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025