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__
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]  
| link3=[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find U.S. Marriage Records]]
| link4=[[Massachusetts Vital Records|Masschusetts Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records|How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records]]
}} __NOTOC__
 
Guide to '''Massachusetts Marriage Records, Massachusetts ancestry, genealogy and family history''', marriage records and family history.<br>


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 Marriage Records#Marriages_from_1841_thru_1920|Marriages from 1841 thru 1920]]''' </span>  
:*<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 Marriage Records#Marriages_from_1921_thru_present|Marriages from 1921 thru present]]'''</span>  
:*<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 Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>


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| [https://www.mass.gov/doc/list-of-vital-records-to-1850/download 1600-1850 - Massachusetts Vital Records]
| [http://ma-vitalrecords.org/ 1600-1850 - At Massachusetts Vital Records Project]  
| '''Free;''' Links to digital books with vital records transcriptions for most Massachusetts towns. Includes births, marriages, and deaths. Downloadable pdf: "Vital Records to 1850".
| '''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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|[https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/190/massachusetts-vital-records-1620-1850 1620-1850 - At American Ancestors]
|'''($)'''
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| width="10%" | <br>  
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| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns.
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns.
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| {{RecordSearch|1675351|Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910, 1921-1924}} at FamilySearch.
| [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4080 1620-1850 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]
| '''Free at FamilySearch;''' Name index to marriage records from the state of Massachusetts.
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Index to published town marriage records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns.
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| [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=massachusetts 1600-1961 - United States Marriages – Massachusetts at Findmypast]
| [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1675350 1695-1910 - Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910 at FamilySearch]  
| '''($)'''  
| '''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/advanced-search 1700-1809 - use American Ancestors at the FamilySearch Library]  
| [http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=0344&Da=190 1700-1809 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library]  
| '''Free at the FamilySearch Library;''' Includes index and digital images of published town vital records.
| '''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 for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]  
| [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]  
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== '''Marriages from 1841 thru 1920'''  ==
== '''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 & images of Massachusetts statewide marriage registers.
| '''Free;''' Name index and images of Massachusetts statewide marriage registers.
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| <br>
| {{RecordSearch|1928860|1841-1920 - At FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free;''' Massachusetts births, marriages and deaths, 1916-1920 and state amendments to vital records, 1841-1920 from the Massachusetts
State Archives.  
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| [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/191/massachusetts-vital-records-1841-1910 1841-1910 - At American Ancestors]
| '''($)'''
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| [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/190/massachusetts-vital-records-1620-1850 1620-1850 - At American Ancestors]
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| '''($)'''
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| [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=massachusetts 1600-1961 - United States Marriages – Massachusetts at Findmypast] 
| '''($)'''
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| width="10%" | <br>  
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| [http://www.americanancestors.org/search/advanced-search 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the FamilySearch Library]  
| [http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=344&Da=191 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library]  
| '''Free at the FamilySearch Library;''' Includes index, digital images, and amended vital records
| '''Free at the Family History Library;''' Includes index, digital images, and amended vital records
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| width="10%" | <br>  
| width="10%" | <br>  
| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns.
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns.
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| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2966 1901-1955 and 1966-1970 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]
| '''Free;''' at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts marriage records, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970.
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| [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/192/massachusetts-vital-records-1911-1915 1911-1915 - At American Ancestors]
| '''($)'''
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|[https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/2738/massachusetts-vital-records-1916-1920 1916-1920 - At American Ancestors]
|'''($)'''
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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 for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]  
| [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]  
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== '''Marriages from 1921 thru present'''  ==
== '''Deaths from 1921 thru present'''  ==


Marriage 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>  
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 marriages that occurred during the time period, try the following databases:  
For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following databases:  


{| 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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| width="10%" | <br>  
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| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2966 1901-1955 and 1966-1970 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| [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 marriage records, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970.
| '''Free;''' at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Searchable index of Massachusetts death records, 1970-2003.
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| [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=massachusetts 1600-1961 - United States Marriages – Massachusetts at Findmypast]
| [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.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]  
| [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 marriage record for a fee from the following locations:  
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 Marriage Certificates'''
| 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" | [https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics From Registry of Vital Records and Statistics]
| 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 marriage indexes  
| 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 the marriage:'''<br> For a fee, the [https://www.mass.gov/info-details/vital-records-service-fees/ Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics] will do a 10 year search. <br> <br> '''If you do not want to order the marriage record, there are [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records with marriage information]] you can search.<br>'''  
'''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 Marriage Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_marriage_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another marriage year]]</center>  
<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 Marriage Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S.Death records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S.Death records]]  
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
:*[[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:How-To Articles]]
[[Category:Massachusetts_Vital_Records]]
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4079 Massachusetts Town Marriage Records 1620-1850] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7853 Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850] ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3393 Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1784-1840] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48585 Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. I]($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48190 Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. II]($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48586 Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. III]($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48191 Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. IV]($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/massachusetts-marriages-1841-1915 Massachusetts Marriages 1841-1915] ($), index
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30033/massachusetts-marriages-1841-1915?s=218489221 Massachusetts, Marriages, 1841-1915] ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2511 Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915] ($)

Revision as of 15:04, 4 August 2015

United States Gotoarrow.png US Vital Records Gotoarrow.png How to Find United States Marriages Gotoarrow.png Massachusetts Gotoarrow.png Vital Records Gotoarrow.png 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]

Marriage Records
Choose a time period:

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

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
Return to top: Choose another marriage year


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
Return to top: Choose another marriage year


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.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]