Macomb County has the greatest number of active historical and genealogical societies in Michigan, and maybe the United States! During the recent years we have done much to preserve the historical heritage of the county. 2012 promises to be more of the same as more people turn to the relatively inexpensive but very fulfilling activity of historical and genealogical research. We have also seen our questions to macombhistory@yahoo.com triple in the past year! We are happy to have been able to help so many people with their queries and want to throw out an extra thank you to County Historian Cindy Donahue and Mt. Clemens Public Library Asst. Director Debby Larsen. They and the many others who answered questions helped many people open up new doors in their local history perceptions and personal family histories.

The Heritage Alliance of Macomb County, an assemblage of all the historical groups of Macomb County, will have their annual meeting on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Community Center. The Richmond Historical and Genealogical Society and the Memphis Historical Society are this year's hosts.

The Cultural Center will be having one of their top-quality exhibits and presentations starting February 25 and running until May 5. This one will be titled Becoming Michigan: From Revolution to Statehood. The Cultural Center is at 44575 Garfield in Clinton Township on the Macomb Community College campus.

For a full schedule: http://www.lorenzoculturalcenter.com/schedule/index.asp.

This will be the 200th year since the War of 1812, as well as 150 years since the Civil War. Bob and Cherie Allen have written a book on Macomb County Civil War Footprints which is now out. In the book they identify six local volunteers from Macomb County communities, including Memphis, Armada, Shelby Township (Disco) and Mt. Clemens. One of the Mt. Clemens volunteers is the only Civil War general buried in Macomb County. Two became cavalry sergeants and captured approximately 70 Confederate soldiers and their battle flag without firing a shot! One is credited with shooting Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart.

The authors have researched Macomb County in the Civil War for over ten years and previously wrote A Guest of the Confederacy, previewed here: http://www.macombhistory.org/historytales.htm#Rosevilles_Airport.The book is available from the authors and may be purchased through their website, www.macombmicw.com, or by calling 586-781-4375.

There is also a “last call” out if you want the Utica history book, as evidenced by this recent communication:

The History of Utica, Michigan by Naomi Gibbing and Gloria Olman was published in June 2010. There were 1,600 books printed and less than 100 are left! There are no plans to reprint, so if you have wanted to get one...act fast! The book is available at Utica City Hall and at some local businesses. For more information, email uticaheritage@gmail.com.

Other books about the area include the Arcadia series about Macomb County include recent books about Chesterfield and Shelby Townships, as well as ones on Richmond and Clinton Township, out soon.

In previous years Arcadia has published books focusing on Eastpointe, Harrison Township, Mt. Clemens, Romeo, Selfridge Field, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Township (now Sterling Hts.), and the St. Clair River. These local history books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and most of the local historical societies, as well as the local libraries. Many of these books, especially when purchased through the local historical society, will return a large portion of the proceeds to the local historical society.

The Macomb County Historical Commission designed a special map for Macomb County, listing all the historical plaques, museums, cemeteries, historic downtowns, historic villages, depots, log cabins, schoolhouses, and other pertinent buildings in the county. You can pick one up one of these maps at the county Planning Commission in the Administration Building in Mt. Clemens.

Easy to Remember Website Address: This website is now available at the shortcut www.macombhistory.org. It is also still available by going to the Macomb County site and clicking on History.

The 2011 Macomb County Historical Activity Book is Macomb County Road Names and is now available at your local library, or by requesting one on the 7th floor of the Macomb County Administration Building in Mt. Clemens. In honor of the new book, the article on Mile Road Names has been updated and is available by clicking here.

To order copies of the new historical activity book and the older books, click here:

If you would like to see the Macomb County Historical Commission website continue, please e-mail your testimonial to macombhistory@yahoo.com.

Activity Book Order Form