 Genesee is noted for having had the fossil of an ancient whale known as "Balaenoptera Lacepede" unearthed in Thetford Township during quarry work and estimated at 11,000 years old.Genesee County was created on March 28, 1835, from territory taken from Lapeer, Shiawassee and Saginaw counties.The county was attached to Oakland County for judicial purposes.