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Massachusetts Descendancy Research

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Massachusetts Descendancy Research

As families believe they have researched their pedigrees back in time as far as possible, they sometimes choose to gather information on all the descendants of a particular ancestor or even all of their ancestors. This article explains possible steps to take on such a project in Massachusetts online records.

Here, the emphasis is on online records with good to fair coverage and indexes, making searches as efficient as possible.



1. Online census records.
2. Birth, marriage, and death records online.
3. Obituary and cemetery records online.
4. FamilySearch Historical Images online.
5. Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records.

Step 1. Find descendants in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.

Census records, widely indexed, are a fast way to identify members of families, their approximate year of birth, and the state where they were born. That information hints where to look for birth, marriage, and death records for more detailed information. One disadvantage is they are 10 years apart. Children born and dying within that 10-year span can be overlooked. Federal Censuses

State Censuses

Year Type of Census Links
1865 State, all household members at FamilySearch

at Ancestry.com ($)
at American Ancestors ($)

1855 State, all household members at FamilySearch, index/images

at Ancestry.com ($)
at American Ancestors ($)


For more information on census records, see Massachusetts Census and United States Census.

Step 2: Find birth, marriage, and death records online.

Government records, known as civil registration or vital records, were kept in Massachusetts statewide beginning in 1841, although counties may have kept earlier records. They provide full dates and places. They are sometimes indexed, and can be searched by child or parent names. They are especially useful because they name other family members, For example, marriage records name the parents of the bride and groom. Death records are especially helpful because they name parents, who lived years earlier, even before other records were kept. Coverage in the earlier years can be incomplete however. In some states, church records were gathered to provide earlier certificates.

Births

Marriages

Deaths


For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Massachusetts, see How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records, How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records, and How to Find Massachusetts Death Records.

Step 3: Try to find additional details about descendants in obituaries and cemetery records online.

These records can be especially useful for details about births and deaths that took place before 1841. Frequently, family members are buried near each other. FindAGrave, often lists details, not even listed on the tombstone, but added to the website by family members or researchers.

Obituaries

Cemeteries


For more information, see Massachusetts Obituaries and Massachusetts Cemeteries.

Step 4: Explore Historical Images for additional online records about descendants..

Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.

Step 5: Search any other online records listed in Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records.

The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.

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