Welcome to Gladwin County

      Welcome to this website which is a part of MIGenWeb and USGenWeb, a network of websites that provide free online genealogical information. This county is currently available for adoption.  For more information contact our state coordinator.

     Founded on 2 March 1831, Gladwin County covers about 550 square miles of prime farmland, woodlands and excellent lakes for fishing and water sports. Known for its beautiful rivers, lakes and woods, the history of Gladwin County is closely linked to the lumber industry in central Michigan. The Ojibway (Chippewa) were the original inhabitants of the Saginaw valley. Then came the voyageurs, hunters and trappers who were lured by the abundant game and easily navigable rivers.

    The county was named for the 18th century British Commander of Detroit, Henry Gladwin. The town of Gladwin serves as the county seat, with Beaverton being the other main town in the county.

     In the early 19th century, the county started to be settled by pioneer families migrating from the south and east, the ethnic diversity of this county, like many of our neighbors, focused on the immigrants from the British Isles, Quebec, Ontario, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia. In recent years, several Amish families emigrated into the county.