Massachusetts

Massachusetts Census Research

Federal censuses for Massachusetts exist from the first census in 1790, and are available through 1920 with the exceptions of the mostly destroyed census of 1890. The 1800 census does not include enumerations for Boston and much of Suffolk County; however, the 1798 U.S. Direct Tax list serves as a partial substitute.

Massachusetts State censuses were taken in 1855 and 1865, and are available at FamilySearch.org. Original state copies and microfilm copies of the federal population, mortality, industry, and agriculture schedules are held by the Massachusetts State Archives.

Massachusetts Vital Records

No state in the Union can boast the depth and breadth of vital records sources that is available in Massachusetts. Starting with the arrival of the Pilgrims, vital events have been diligently, although not completely, recorded, preserved, and published. Vital records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. Statewide data collection began in 1841. Of 364 towns, 206 had published vital records to 1850.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in the Department of Public Health has the records of births, deaths and marriages for Massachusetts from 1906 to the present. Every five years the earliest five years of records maintained at the Registry are transferred to the custody of the State Archives.

Records from 1841-1905 are located at The State Archives. The city or town clerk in the city or town where the event occurred has all records prior to 1841. Copies of records since 1841 are available at the city or town where the event occurred.

• Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics: Holds records of births, marriages, and deaths since 1906.
• Massachusetts State Archives Index to Vital Records

Massachusetts Research Resources

The organizations listed below provide information about Massachusetts history and genealogy. In addition to these state-level resources, many counties and towns maintain important genealogical collections in local libraries, genealogical societies, or historical societies, so check for a local resource when researching.

• Massachusetts Archives: The genealogy and family history page lists a wide range of collections, including passenger lists, census, vital records, and military records.
• Massachusetts State Library:The genealogy resources page lists the Library's holdings for researchers, including town and vital records, probate records, tax valuations, and newspapers.
• Massachusetts Historical Society
• Massachusetts GenWeb
• New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS): In addition to the extensive collections in the NEHGS research library (Boston), NEGHS maintains a wide range of databases specific to Massachusetts.
• American Antiquarian Society (AAS): Some highlights of the Society’s collection include family bibles; state, county, and local histories; and over 17,000 family histories. See the genealogy research page for information.
• The National Archives at Boston: This facility maintains records from Federal agencies and courts in Massachusetts, including census, military, court, naturalization, and immigration records. See the Genealogy/Family History link for details of the collection
• Boston Public Library