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| {{MA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| | The following important events in the history of [[Massachusetts]] affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping. |
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| | link5=[[Massachusetts History|History]]
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| | [[{{Jonathan Fairbanks house}}]]
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| <center>For a detailed guide to Massachusetts research,<br>see the [[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|'''Massachusetts Genealogy Guide''']] page.</center>
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| <br>
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| == Online Resources ==
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| *[https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/429/massachusetts-historical-data-relating-to-cities-and-towns Massachusetts: Historical Data Relating to Cities and Towns] at American Ancestors — index & images ($)
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| *[http://www.learnwebskills.com/family/countyhistories2.htm#ma County and Town Histories], includes biographies
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| *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6261&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0002703009&o_lid=0002703009&o_sch=Affiliate+External First Settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts: Genealogical Notes and Contributions]($), index
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| *[http://www.massachusettsgenealogy.net/database.htm Massachusetts History and Genealogy, Ancestry Articles, Databases and Products], online county histories with biographies
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| *[https://books.google.com/books?id=tfH_xDzFOpQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Honor Roll of Massachusetts Patriots Heretofore Unknown: Being a List of Men and Women who Loaned Money to the Federal Government During the Years 1777-1779], e-book
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| *'''1950-1990''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=62512 U.S., Aerial Photos from VintageAerial.com, 1963-2009 (1950-1990)] at Ancestry — index & images ($); incomplete for all states, only rural areas included
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| == Brief History ==
| | '''1620-1691'''<nowiki>: The Plymouth Colony was established. It eventually spread over today's Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol Counties.</nowiki> |
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| The following important events in the history of [[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts]] affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping.
| | '''1621: ''' Peace Treaty between Wampanoag Indians and Pilgrams - Strawverry hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts arranged by Squanto. |
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| *'''1620-1691'''<nowiki>: The Plymouth Colony was established. It eventually spread over today's Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol Counties.</nowiki>
| | '''1630'''<nowiki>: Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded. It expanded to today's area of Essex, Middlesex, Old Norfolk (now part of New Hampshire), and Suffolk Counties.</nowiki> |
| *'''1621: ''' Peace Treaty between Wampanoag Indians and Pilgrams - Strawberry hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts arranged by Squanto.
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| *'''1630'''<nowiki>: Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded. It expanded to today's area of Essex, Middlesex, Old Norfolk (now part of New Hampshire), and Suffolk Counties.</nowiki>
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| *'''1631:'''First public Thanksgiving - Massachusetts Bay Colony
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| *'''1660:'''John Eliot founded first Indian church in New England at Natick, Massachusetts on the Charles River.
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| *'''1675-1676:''' King Philips War, between the Indians and colonist.
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| *'''1677-1741: '''Massechusetts and New Hampshire border dispute. Residents sometimes taxed by both colonies. London finally adjudicates new border in New Hampshire's favor.
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| *'''1691'''<nowiki>: A new charter was granted to Massachusetts Bay Colony, uniting it with Plymouth Colony. Parts of Maine and Nova Scotia were also added to Massachusetts.</nowiki>
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| *'''1775'''<nowiki>: The</nowiki> [[Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783|Revolutionary War]] began at Lexington and Concord.
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| *'''1786'''<nowiki>: The Ohio Land Company was formed, resulting in the emigration of many Massachusetts residents to</nowiki>[[Ohio, United States Genealogy|Ohio]].
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| *'''1788'''<nowiki>: (February 6,) Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the Constitution.</nowiki>
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| *'''1820'''<nowiki>:</nowiki>[[Maine, United States Genealogy|Maine]] was separated from Massachusetts.
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| *'''1830s-1840s'''<nowiki>: As the factory system developed, thousands of foreign laborers began moving to Massachusetts.</nowiki>
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| *'''1861-1865'''<nowiki>: During the</nowiki>[[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|Civil War]] 146,000 men from Massachusetts served in the Union Army.
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| *'''1898:''' Over 300,000 men were involved in the [http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/ Spanish-American War] which was fought mainly in Cuba and the Philippines.
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| *'''1917–1918:''' More than 26 million men from the United States ages 18 through 45 registered with the Selective Service. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] over 4.7 million American men and women served during the war.
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| *'''1930's:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression The Great Depression] closed many factories and mills. Many small farms were abandoned, and many families moved to cities.
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| *'''1940–1945:''' Over 50.6 million men ages 18 to 65 registered with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Training_and_Service_Act_of_1940 Selective Service]. Over 16.3 million American men and women served in the armed forces during [http://www.worldwar-2.net/ World War II].
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| *'''1950–1953:''' Over 5.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.korean-war.com/ Korean War].
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| *'''1950's–1960's''' The building of [http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs/ interstate highways] made it easier for people to move long distances.
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| *'''1964–1972:''' Over 8.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.vietnamwar.com/ Vietnam War].
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| == Historical Content ==
| | '''1631:'''First public Thanksgiving - Massachusetts Bay Colony |
| Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:
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| {{columns-list|3|
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| *Parents' names
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| *Maiden names of women
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| *Place of birth, death, or marriage
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| *Occupation
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| *Migration
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| *Military service
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| *Descendants
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| }}
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| === Local Histories ===
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| Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
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| *''Massachusetts: A Bibliography of Its History'' <ref>Haskell, John Duncan. ''Massachusetts: A Bibliography of Its History''. Hanover, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 1983. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|305348|title-id|disp=book 974.4 H23m}}.) </ref>
| | '''1660:'''John Eliot founded first Indian church in New England at Natick, Massachusetts on the Charles River. |
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| *''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ({{FSC|A Bibliography of American County Histories|title|disp=FS Catalog book 973 H23bi}})</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>
| | '''1675-1676:''' King Philips War, between the Indians and colonist. |
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| *''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ({{FSC|252458|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 973 A3ka}}.) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congressqt=results_page Worldcat] </ref>
| | '''1691'''<nowiki>: A new charter was granted to Massachusetts Bay Colony, uniting it with Plymouth Colony. Parts of Maine and Nova Scotia were also added to Massachusetts.</nowiki> |
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| === State Histories Useful to Genealogists ===
| | '''1775'''<nowiki>: The</nowiki>[[Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783|Revolutionary War]] began at Lexington and Concord. |
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| Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Massachusetts are:
| | '''1786'''<nowiki>: The Ohio Land Company was formed, resulting in the emigration of many Massachusetts residents to</nowiki>[[Ohio]]. |
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| *''Commonwealth History of Massachusetts: Colony, Province, and State'' <ref>Hart, Albert Bushnell, ed. ''Commonwealth History of Massachusetts: Colony, Province, and State''. 5 vols. New York, NY: The States History, 1927-30. (FS Library book {{FSC|656150|title-id|disp=974.4 H2h}}.) </ref>
| | '''1788'''<nowiki>: (February 6,) Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the Constitution.</nowiki> |
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| === United States History ===
| | '''1820'''<nowiki>:</nowiki>[[Maine]] was separated from Massachusetts. |
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| The following are only a few of the many sources that are available:
| | '''1830s-1840s'''<nowiki>: As the factory system developed, thousands of foreign laborers began moving to Massachusetts.</nowiki> |
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| *''The Almanac of American History''.<ref>Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983. ({{FSC|The Almanac of American History.|title|disp=FS Catalog book 973 H2alm}})</ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978referer=brief_results Worldcat]</ref> This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.
| | '''1861-1865'''<nowiki>: During the</nowiki>[[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|Civil War]] 146,000 men from Massachusetts served in the Union Army. |
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| *''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed.'' <ref>'' Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. ({{FSC|76529|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 973 H2ad}}.)</ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380referer=brief_results Worldcat]</ref> This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lz9WC9EyF08C&q=9780684138565&dq=9780684138565&ei=F4GxSbisHpDMlQSW3Z36BQ&pgis=1 Google books].
| | A good general history of Massachusetts is: |
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| *''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''.<ref>'' Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. Springfield, Mass.: GC Merriam, 1971. ({{FSC|Webster%27s Guide to American History%3A A Chronological%2C Geographical%2C and Biographical Survey and Compendium|title|disp=FS Catalog book 973 H2v}}) </ref><ref>Limited view at [http://books.google.com/books?id=MVU6DS6Re8gCprintsec=frontcoverdq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+Historyqt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref> This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.
| | Hart, Albert Bushnell, ed. ''Commonwealth History of Massachusetts: Colony, Province, and State''. 5 vols. New York, NY: The States History, 1927-30. (FHL book 974.4 H2h.) |
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| *''Writings on American History''.<ref>''Writings on American History'' By American Historical Association, Library of Congress, United States National Historical Publications Commission, Published by KTO Press, 1921 {{FSC|244514|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 973 H23w}} </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+Historyqt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref> Full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ&dq=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&ei=N3yxSd6pI4K0kATC-qRu Google Books]
| | A helpful bibliography of Massachusetts local histories is: |
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| To find more books and articles about Massachusetts' history search the Internet for phases like "Massachusetts history." [[FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search|FamilySearch Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like:
| | Haskell, John Duncan. ''Massachusetts: A Bibliography of Its History''. Hanover, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 1983. (FHL book 974.4 H23m.) |
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| ::MASSACHUSETTS - HISTORY
| | '''Internet Resources''' |
| ::MASSACHUSETTS, [COUNTY] - HISTORY
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| ::MASSACHUSETTS, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - HISTORY
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| ::MASSACHUSETTS, BIBLIOGRAPHY
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| === Websites ===
| | Massacusetts Historical Society: http://www.masshist.org/welcome/ |
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| *[https://www.masshist.org/ Massachusetts Historical Society]
| | A Tour of Masschusetts History: http://www.masshome.com/tour.html |
| *[http://www.masshome.com/tour.html A Tour of Massachusetts History]
| | <!--{12094035790460} --> |
| *Massachusetts Historical Commission [http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhchpp/TownSurveyRpts.htm Town Histories]<br>
| | [[Category:Massachusetts]] |
| *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts#History Massachusetts History] (Wikipedia)
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| *[http://www.msoginc.org/msogwp/ Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc.]
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| == Sources ==
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| <references />{{Massachusetts|Massachusetts}} | |
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| [[Category:Massachusetts, United States]] | |