How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records: Difference between revisions
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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Vital Records|US Vital Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find United States Marriages]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Massachusetts]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Massachusetts Vital Records|Vital Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Massachusetts Marriages'''__NOTOC__ | |||
Massachusetts Towns have been recording marriages since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841. | Massachusetts Towns have been recording marriages since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841. | ||
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== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | == '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | ||
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:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records#Marriages_before_1841|Marriages before 1841]]'''</span> | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records#Marriages_before_1841|Marriages before 1841]]'''</span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records#Deaths_from_1841_thru_1920|Deaths from 1841 thru 1920]]''' </span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records#Deaths_from_1921_thru_present|Deaths from 1921 thru present]]'''</span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span> | ||
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| [ | | [http://ma-vitalrecords.org/ 1600-1850 - At Massachusetts Vital Records Project] | ||
| '''Free;''' | | '''Free;''' Transcriptions and images of Massachusetts town vital records. Includes births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 150 Massachusetts towns. | ||
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| [http://search. | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | | '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | ||
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| | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4080 1620-1850 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| '''Free at FamilySearch;''' | | '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Index to published town marriage records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns. | ||
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| [https:// | | [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1675350 1695-1910 - Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910 at FamilySearch] | ||
| ''' | | '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Name index to marriage records from the state of Massachusetts. | ||
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| [http://www.americanancestors.org/Search | | [http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=0344&Da=190 1700-1809 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library] | ||
| '''Free at the | | '''Free at the Family History Library;''' Includes index and digital images of published town vital records. | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | ||
| [[Substitute Records | | [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | ||
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== ''' | == '''Deaths from 1841 thru 1920''' == | ||
Massachusetts was the first state to initiate statewide registration of vital records beginning in 1841. However, the city of Boston, which had kept records prior to this time, didn't start reporting their vital statistics to the state until about 1850. Records from 1841 to 1920 are housed at the Massachusetts Archives. Every five years, another block of five years is transferred from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to the Archives. | Massachusetts was the first state to initiate statewide registration of vital records beginning in 1841. However, the city of Boston, which had kept records prior to this time, didn't start reporting their vital statistics to the state until about 1850. Records from 1841 to 1920 are housed at the Massachusetts Archives. Every five years, another block of five years is transferred from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to the Archives. | ||
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| {{RecordSearch|1469062|1841-1915 - At FamilySearch.org}} | | {{RecordSearch|1469062|1841-1915 - At FamilySearch.org}} | ||
| '''Free;''' Name index | | '''Free;''' Name index and images of Massachusetts statewide marriage registers. | ||
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| [http://www.americanancestors.org/ | | [http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=344&Da=191 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library] | ||
| '''Free at the | | '''Free at the Family History Library;''' Includes index, digital images, and amended vital records | ||
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| width="10%" | <br> | | width="10%" | <br> | ||
| [http://search. | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | | '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the index?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the index?''' | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | ||
| [[Substitute Records | | [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | ||
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== ''' | == '''Deaths from 1921 thru present''' == | ||
Death records beginning in 1921 to the present are located at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The MDPH maintains no online index for these records. Try to find your ancestor in one of the indexes below.<br> | |||
For | For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following databases: | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0" width="100%" | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0" width="100%" | ||
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| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Includes Index and Digital Images''' | | align="left" colspan="3" | '''Includes Index and Digital Images''' | ||
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| width="30%" | {{RecordSearch|1949332|1970-2003 - At FamilySearch.org}} | |||
| width="60%" | '''Free;''' Includes index only | |||
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| [http://search. | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7457 1970-2003 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| '''Free;''' at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts | | '''Free;''' at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts death records, 1970-2003. | ||
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| [ | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3659 1901-1980 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| ''' | | '''Free;''' at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts death records, 1901-1980. | ||
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| width="10%" | <br> | | width="10%" | <br> | ||
| [http://search. | | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | ||
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | | '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | ||
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== '''Order the Certificate''' == | == '''Order the Certificate''' == | ||
With an exact date (from your records or an index above) you can order a copy of the | With an exact date (from your records or an index above) you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: | ||
{| cellspacing="1;" cellpadding="6;" border="1" width="100%;" | {| cellspacing="1;" cellpadding="6;" border="1" width="100%;" | ||
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| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order | | align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates''' | ||
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| align="center" width="50%" colspan="2" | [http://www.vitalrec.com/ma.html#County From Town Clerk] <br>[http://www.mass-doc.com/vitals_research.htm Massachusetts Vital Records] | | align="center" width="50%" colspan="2" | [http://www.vitalrec.com/ma.html#County From Town Clerk] <br>[http://www.mass-doc.com/vitals_research.htm Massachusetts Vital Records] | ||
| align="center" width="50%" colspan="2" | [ | | align="center" width="50%" colspan="2" | [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/admin/dmoa/vitals/ From Registry of Vital Records and Statistics] | ||
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| align="center" width="25%" | '''Pros''' | | align="center" width="25%" | '''Pros''' | ||
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| It's cheaper and faster than ordering from the state | | It's cheaper and faster than ordering from the state | ||
| Town websites can be more difficult to use | | Town websites can be more difficult to use | ||
| Onsite researchers can access public | | Onsite researchers can access public death indexes | ||
| Only certified copies of records are issued, regardless of intended use. It's cheaper to order the record from the town clerk | | Only certified copies of records are issued, regardless of intended use. It's cheaper to order the record from the town clerk | ||
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'''If you do not know the exact date or place of | '''If you do not know the exact date or place of death:'''<br> For a fee, the [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/admin/dmoa/vitals/ Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics] will do a 10 year search. <br> <br> '''If you do not want to order the death record, there are [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] you can search.<br>''' | ||
<center>[[How to Find Massachusetts | <center>[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]</center> | ||
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=== Related Wiki Articles === | === Related Wiki Articles === | ||
:*[[How to Find United States | :*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]] | ||
:*[[How to Find United States | :*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S.Death records]] | ||
:*[[United States Record | :*[[United States Record Selection Table|United States Record Selection Table ]] | ||
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] | :*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] | ||
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] | :*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] | ||
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{{Massachusetts|Massachusetts}} | {{Massachusetts|Massachusetts}} | ||
[[Category:Massachusetts_Vital_Records]] | [[Category:Massachusetts_Vital_Records]] | ||
Revision as of 15:04, 4 August 2015
United States US Vital Records
How to Find United States Marriages
Massachusetts
Vital Records
Massachusetts Marriages
Massachusetts Towns have been recording marriages since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841.
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
|
---|
Marriages before 1841[edit | edit source]
For marriages that occurred during this time period, try the following databases:
Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
1600-1850 - At Massachusetts Vital Records Project | Free; Transcriptions and images of Massachusetts town vital records. Includes births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 150 Massachusetts towns. | |||
1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | |||
1620-1850 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Index to published town marriage records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns. | |||
1695-1910 - Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910 at FamilySearch | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Name index to marriage records from the state of Massachusetts. | |||
1700-1809 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library | Free at the Family History Library; Includes index and digital images of published town vital records. | |||
Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
No marriage record for your ancestor? | Other records with marriage information |
Deaths from 1841 thru 1920[edit | edit source]
Massachusetts was the first state to initiate statewide registration of vital records beginning in 1841. However, the city of Boston, which had kept records prior to this time, didn't start reporting their vital statistics to the state until about 1850. Records from 1841 to 1920 are housed at the Massachusetts Archives. Every five years, another block of five years is transferred from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to the Archives.
For marriages that occurred during this time period, try the following databases:
Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
1841-1915 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; Name index and images of Massachusetts statewide marriage registers. | |||
1841-1910 - Massachusetts Archives database | Free; Searchable index of Massachusetts birth, marriage, and death records. | |||
1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library | Free at the Family History Library; Includes index, digital images, and amended vital records | |||
1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. | |||
Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
No marriage record for your ancestor? | Other records with marriage information |
Deaths from 1921 thru present[edit | edit source]
Death records beginning in 1921 to the present are located at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The MDPH maintains no online index for these records. Try to find your ancestor in one of the indexes below.
For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following databases:
Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
1970-2003 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; Includes index only | |||
1970-2003 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free; at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts death records, 1970-2003. | |||
1901-1980 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free; at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts death records, 1901-1980. | |||
1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns. |
Order the Certificate[edit | edit source]
With an exact date (from your records or an index above) you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:
To Order Death Certificates | |||
From Town Clerk Massachusetts Vital Records |
From Registry of Vital Records and Statistics | ||
Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
It's cheaper and faster than ordering from the state | Town websites can be more difficult to use | Onsite researchers can access public death indexes | Only certified copies of records are issued, regardless of intended use. It's cheaper to order the record from the town clerk |
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics will do a 10 year search.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.