Massachusetts Genealogy Guide: Difference between revisions

*Joel N. Eno, "The Expansion of Massachusetts -- chronological -- based on the official records" in ''Americana'', 24 [1930]: 28-40.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1480991 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1508505|item|disp=FHL book 973 B2a v. 24}} (off-site).<br>  

*William Frederic Poole, "The Witchcraft Delusion of 1692 by Gov. Thomas Hutchinson" in the ''New England Historical and Genealogical Register'', 24 [1870]: 381-414.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/stream/newenglandhisto28unkngoog#page/n406/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://www.americanancestors.org/search.aspx?Ca=098&Da=202 AmericanAncestors] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7030049 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|127567|item|disp=FHL book 974 B2ne v. 24 or film 962857 Item 1}}.<br>  

*[http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=0344&Da=190 Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850]<br>[Not complete, but list available by "volume" menu]

The NEHGS has two online databases at their American Ancestors website for 1841 to 1910 and 1911 to 1915. You must be a member of the Society to access these indexes and the actual records which are linked from this index. The records are searchable in the same manner as the Mass. Archives above, though the last name can be searched by Soundex. If you go to the library, there are book indexes in five-year blocks for births, 1900-1950, marriages, 1900-1955, 1966-1970, and deaths, 1900-1980. They also have the amended birth records indexes for to 1929 (1 v.) [going back to 1841], to 1944 (2 v.), to 1962 (3 v.), to 1965 (1 v.), and to 1968 (1 v.). These indexes beyond 1920 are not generally available elsewhere.  

*[http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=344&Da=191 Massachusetts Vital Records], 1841-1910 ($)<br>[all indexes, records, and amended births]<br>  

*[http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=344&Da=192 Massachusetts Vital Records], 1911-1915 ($)<br>[all indexes, records, and amended births] <br>

Like most all states, Massachusetts seals the records of adoption that include the original birth certificate with the biological parents. These records stay sealed unless opened by court order. Who can see this sealed information is limited by [http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/index.cfm?event=stateStatutes.showSearchForm law]. There is no way a person can know they are adopted without being told by someone. There are several registries online set up to assist adoptees and biological parents help find each other. To order your [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/laws-regs/dph/regs-u-z/public-health-regulations-vital-records.html pre-adoption birth certificate], download the [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/vital-records/pre-adoption-memo.pdf instructions] and [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/vital-records/pre-adoption-app-form.pdf form].<br><br>To learn more about the history of adoption in Massachusetts, see Joseph Ben-Or, "The Law of Adoption in the United States: Its Massachusetts Origins and the Statute of 1851" in ''The New England Historical and Genealogical Register'', 130 [1976]: 259-269, and online at [http://www.americanancestors.org/PageDetail.aspx?recordId=235492719 American Ancestors] ($).<br>  

*Chester F. Sanger, "The Divorce Legislation of Massachusetts" in ''Bay State Monthly'', 3 [1885]: 27-32.<br>Digital version at [http://www.bookmate.com/r#d=b3cju2Qz Bookmate], page 68 of this file, or as a text file at [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17721/17721-8.txt Gutenberg], search text for title.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9960776 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>