Thank you for visiting this website which is part of the MIGenWeb and USGenWeb, a network of websites that provide free online genealogical information with the help of volunteers. My name is Shannon Lanning and I am the volunteer website coordinator for Emmet County. Although I do not live there, I chose to coordinate Emmet County as it was where my grandmother was born and I still have many family members living there. If you have suggestions, corrections, questions, comments, or genealogical history about Emmet County to share on this website, please use the "Contact Us" links at the bottom of any page in this website.
The pages represented on this entire website may be freely linked to but not copied, under any circumstances, without express permission. Please see USGenWeb for project policies.
During each visit to this website, be sure to check What's New for updates. You can continue to access the previous Emmet County website HERE.
Please enjoy your visit to this site and we hope you visit again.
Emmet County, the northernmost county in Michigan's lower half, was formed April 1, 1840 from Mackinac County. It was first named Tonedagana County, then renamed Emmet County on March 8, 1843. Emmet County remained attached to Mackinac County for administrative purposes until county government was organized in 1853. The county was named after the Irish patriot Robert Emmet, who was hanged as a traitor to the British government at the age of 23. In all, 16 counties were renamed in 1843. Five were given names of Irish origin, supposedly in deference to the increasing presence of settlers in Michigan with an Irish background.
Emmet county covers 467 square miles with a population of about 34,112 as of the 2020 census. Petoskey is the county's largest city and the county seat.
Michigan State Motto: "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice" (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.)
Take a virtual tour of Emmet County.
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The earliest residents of the region (Emmet County) are ancestors of the now known and federally recognized "Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians". Thousands of years ago the tribe was known as Anishnaabek.
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With the arrival of the first white missionaries and fur traders in 1855, the town of Petoskey, was originally called Bear River. It was renamed in 1873 to Petoskey. The Bear River flows through downtown.
The July 1965 issue of Time Magazine featured the "Best Resorts - Summer in the U.S.A." Joining the ranks of Cape Cod, the article included Harbor Springs and Harbor Point, Charlevoix, Petoskey and Wequetonsing.
Michigan's state stone, the Petoskey Stone, is found on the shoreline in the NW portion of the lower peninsula. Composed of fossilized coral, Hexagonaria percarinata, formed as a result of glaciation.
For more interesting facts about Michigan, visit 50 States-Michigan
If you have questions, contributions, or problems with this site, email:
County Coordinator: Shannon Lanning
State Coordinator: Colleen Pustola
Asst. State Coordinator: Wayne Summers
If you have any questions or problems with this site, email the County Coordinator.. Please keep in mind the County Coordinator may not live in Michigan and cannot provide local research.
