1843 : Michigan Renames Counties Originally Named After Indian Words or Chiefs

When:
March 8, 2023 all-day
2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00
2023-03-09T00:00:00-05:00

On March, 8, 1843, several counties in Michigan officially received new names.  Most had been named after Indian chiefs or combinations of Indian words by Henry Schoolcraft.  However, with the influx of white settlers, Michigan lawmakers thought the names should be anglacized.

Aishcum County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 from Mackinac County and renamed Lake County on 8 March 1843.

Anamickee County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 and renamed Alpena County on 8 March 1843.

Cheonoquet County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 and renamed Montmorency County on the 8 March 1843.

Kanotin County, Michigan was formed 1 Feburary 1840 and renamed Iosco County in 1843.

Kautawaubet County, Michigan was formed 1 Feburary 1840 from MacKinac County and renamed Wexford County in 1843.

Kaykakee County, Michigan was formed 1 Feburary 1840 from MacKinac County, Saginaw County, and renamed Clare County in 1843.

The Keskkauko County was originally set off in 1840  and name changed in 1843. It was split between Charlevoix County, Michigan and part in Emmet County, Michigan

Meegisee County, Michigan was formed 1840 from renamed Antrim County in 8 March 1843.

Michilimackinac County, Michigan was formed 26 Oct 1818 from Wayne County and renamed Mackinac County in 1843.

Mikenauk County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1843 from MacKinac County and unorganized land was renamed Roscommon County in 1843.

Neewago County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1843 from MacKinac County and was renamed Antrim County in 1843.

Notipekago County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1843 from MacKinac County and was renamed Mason County in 1843.

Okkuddo County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1843 from MacKinac County and was renamed Otsego County in 1843.

Omeena County, Michigan was formed 1840 from Mackinac County and abolished in 1853. It become part of Grand Traverse County in 1843.

Shawano County, Michigan was formed 26 Oct 1818 from MacKinac County and was renamed Crawford County in 1843.

Tonedagana County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 from Mackinac County became Emmet County in 1843.

Unwattin County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 from Mackinac County became Osceola County in 1843.

Wabassee County, Michigan was formed 1 April 1840 from Mackinac County became Kalkaska County in 1843.

Other extinct Michigan counties include:

Bleeker County, Michigan was formed 1861 and renamed Menominee County on 19 March 1863.

Brown County, Michigan was formed 26 Oct 1818 and became part of the Wisconsin territory December 7 of 1836. It is now part of Wisconsin as Brown County, Wisconsin.

Des Moines County, Michigan was formed 1834 from unorgainzed land and became a part of Wisconsin territory in 1836 and is now [[Des Moines_County, Iowa Genealogy|Des Moines_County, Iowa].

Dubuque County, Michigan was formed 1834 from unorgainzed land and became a part of Wisconsin territory in 1836 and is now Dubuque County, Iowa.

Iowa County, Michigan was formed 1830 from Crawford County and became a part of Wisconsin territory in 1836 and is now Iowa County, Wisconsin

Isle Royal County, Michigan was formed 1875 from Keweenaw County and was attached to Houghton County in 1885 abolished in 1895 and became part of Keweenaw County.

Manitou County, Michigan was formed 13 Feburary 1855 from Emmet County, and Leelanau County. In 1861 the county government was disorganized and Manitou was attached to Mackinac County. In 1865 it was attached again to Leelanau County and then in 1869. Finally in 1869 Manitou County was abolished and taken into Charlevoix and Leelanau County.

Washington County, Michigan was formed 1869 from Marquette County but declare unconstitutional.

Wyandot County, Michigan was formed 1840 from Mackinac County and abolished in 1853 becoming part of Cheboygan County.

Source: Michigan Every Day

Michigan Counties in the 1840s

Family Search Extinct or Renamed Counties

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