Massachusetts Descendancy Research: Difference between revisions
m (Text replacement - "Step 4: Explore Historical Images for additional online records about descendants" to "Step 4: Explore Historical Images for additional online records about descendants.") |
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<span style="color: black">'''''Births'''''</span> | <span style="color: black">'''''Births'''''</span> | ||
*'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4094 Massachusetts Town Birth Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4094 Massachusetts Town Birth Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1620-1988''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 Massachusetts Town and Vital Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1620-1988''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 Massachusetts Town and Vital Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1630-1905''': {{RecordSearch|2241430|Massachusetts Town Births Index}} at FamilySearch; index & images | *'''1630-1905''': {{RecordSearch|2241430|Massachusetts Town Births Index}} at FamilySearch; index & images | ||
*'''1636-1924''': {{RecordSearch|2400643|Massachusetts Births}} at FamilySearch; index | *'''1636-1924''': {{RecordSearch|2400643|Massachusetts Births}} at FamilySearch; index | ||
*'''1639-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1675197|Massachusetts Births and Christenings}} at FamilySearch; index only | *'''1639-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1675197|Massachusetts Births and Christenings}} at FamilySearch; index only | ||
*'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1753-1900''': {{RecordSearch|2268583|Massachusetts Delayed and Corrected Vital Records}} at FamilySearch; index & images | *'''1753-1900''': {{RecordSearch|2268583|Massachusetts Delayed and Corrected Vital Records}} at FamilySearch; index & images | ||
*'''1840-1910''': [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10907/united-states-massachusetts-birth-index-1840-1910?s=275764761 Massachusetts Birth Index] at MyHeritage; index ($) | *'''1840-1910''': [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10907/united-states-massachusetts-birth-index-1840-1910?s=275764761 Massachusetts Birth Index] at MyHeritage; index ($) | ||
*'''1840-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1536925|Massachusetts Births}} at FamilySearch; index & images; ''Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5062 Ancestry]'' ($) | *'''1840-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1536925|Massachusetts Births}} at FamilySearch; index & images; ''Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5062 Ancestry]'' ($) | ||
*'''1860-1970''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3928 Massachusetts Birth Index] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1860-1970''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3928 Massachusetts Birth Index] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
<span style="color: black">'''''Marriages'''''</span> | <span style="color: black">'''''Marriages'''''</span> | ||
*'''pre 1699''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2081 American Marriages] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''pre 1699''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2081 American Marriages] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''pre 1700''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3824 New England Marriages] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''pre 1700''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3824 New England Marriages] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''pre 1800''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48585 Early Massachusetts Marriages Vol. I], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48190 Vol. II], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48586 Vol. III], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48191 Vol. IV] at Ancestry; images only ($) | *'''pre 1800''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48585 Early Massachusetts Marriages Vol. I], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48190 Vol. II], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48586 Vol. III], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48191 Vol. IV] at Ancestry; images only ($) | ||
*'''1600-1961''': [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=massachusetts Massachusetts Marriages] at Findmypast; index & images($) | *'''1600-1961''': [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=massachusetts Massachusetts Marriages] at Findmypast; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4079 Massachusetts Town Marriage Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4079 Massachusetts Town Marriage Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1633-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7853 Massachusetts Compiled Marriages] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1633-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7853 Massachusetts Compiled Marriages] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1695-1910, 1921-1924''': {{RecordSearch|1675351|Massachusetts Marriages}} at FamilySearch; index only | *'''1695-1910, 1921-1924''': {{RecordSearch|1675351|Massachusetts Marriages}} at FamilySearch; index only | ||
*'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1784-1840''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3393 Massachusetts Marriage Index] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1784-1840''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3393 Massachusetts Marriage Index] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1841-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1469062|Massachusetts Marriages}} at FamilySearch; index & images; ''Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2511 Ancestry]'' ($), ''[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30033/massachusetts-marriages-1841-1915?s=218489221 MyHeritage]'' ($) | *'''1841-1915''': {{RecordSearch|1469062|Massachusetts Marriages}} at FamilySearch; index & images; ''Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2511 Ancestry]'' ($), ''[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30033/massachusetts-marriages-1841-1915?s=218489221 MyHeritage]'' ($) | ||
*'''1861-1956''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1503 Marriages performed by three Rabbis in Boston, Chicago and Massachusetts] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1861-1956''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1503 Marriages performed by three Rabbis in Boston, Chicago and Massachusetts] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1901-1955, 1966-1970''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2966 Massachusetts Marriage Index] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1901-1955, 1966-1970''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2966 Massachusetts Marriage Index] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*[http://www.genealogytoday.com/info/database/old-colony-ancestors.html Old Colony Ancestors Marriages] at GenealogyToday ($) | *[http://www.genealogytoday.com/info/database/old-colony-ancestors.html Old Colony Ancestors Marriages] at GenealogyToday ($) | ||
<span style="color: black">'''''Deaths '''''</span> | <span style="color: black">'''''Deaths '''''</span> | ||
*'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4080 Massachusetts Town Death Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1620-1850''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4080 Massachusetts Town Death Records] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1620-1988''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 Massachusetts Town and Vital Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1620-1988''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2495 Massachusetts Town and Vital Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1640-1961''': {{RecordSearch|2285843|Massachusetts Town Deaths Index}} at FamilySearch; index & images | *'''1640-1961''': {{RecordSearch|2285843|Massachusetts Town Deaths Index}} at FamilySearch; index & images | ||
*'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1700-1850''': [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61401 Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1795-1910''': {{RecordSearch|1675350|Massachusetts Deaths and Burials}} at FamilySearch; index only | *'''1795-1910''': {{RecordSearch|1675350|Massachusetts Deaths and Burials}} at FamilySearch; index only | ||
*'''1840-1910''': [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10906/united-states-massachusetts-death-index-1840-1910?s=275764761 Massachusetts Death Index] at MyHeritage; index only ($) | *'''1840-1910''': [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10906/united-states-massachusetts-death-index-1840-1910?s=275764761 Massachusetts Death Index] at MyHeritage; index only ($) | ||
*'''1841-1915''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2101 Massachusetts Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1841-1915''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2101 Massachusetts Death Records] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1841-1915, 1921-1924''': {{RecordSearch|1463156|Massachusetts Deaths}} at FamilySearch; index & images | *'''1841-1915, 1921-1924''': {{RecordSearch|1463156|Massachusetts Deaths}} at FamilySearch; index & images | ||
*'''1844''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5973 Massachusetts Deaths Vol. 8, Barnstable to Hampshire; Volume 9, Middlesex to Worcester] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1844''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5973 Massachusetts Deaths Vol. 8, Barnstable to Hampshire; Volume 9, Middlesex to Worcester] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1901-1980''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3659 Massachusetts Death Index] at Ancestry; index & images($) | *'''1901-1980''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3659 Massachusetts Death Index] at Ancestry; index & images ($) | ||
*'''1935-2014''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 US Social Security Death Index] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1935-2014''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 US Social Security Death Index] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
*'''1936-2007''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 US Social Security Applications] at Ancestry; index only ($) | *'''1936-2007''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 US Social Security Applications] at Ancestry; index only ($) | ||
Revision as of 11:38, 20 June 2023
| Massachusetts Wiki Topics |
|
| Beginning Research |
| Record Types |
|
| Massachusetts Background |
| Cultural Groups |
| Local Research Resources |
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.
|
Step 1. Find descendants in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.[edit | edit source]
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 ($) |
| 1855 | State, all household members | at FamilySearch, index/images
at Ancestry.com ($) |
For more information on census records, see Massachusetts Census and United States Census.
Step 2: Find birth, marriage, and death records online.[edit | edit source]
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
- 1620-1850: Massachusetts Town Birth Records at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1620-1988: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1630-1905: Massachusetts Town Births Index at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1636-1924: Massachusetts Births at FamilySearch; index
- 1639-1915: Massachusetts Births and Christenings at FamilySearch; index only
- 1700-1850: Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1753-1900: Massachusetts Delayed and Corrected Vital Records at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1840-1910: Massachusetts Birth Index at MyHeritage; index ($)
- 1840-1915: Massachusetts Births at FamilySearch; index & images; Also at Ancestry ($)
- 1860-1970: Massachusetts Birth Index at Ancestry; index & images ($)
Marriages
- pre 1699: American Marriages at Ancestry; index only ($)
- pre 1700: New England Marriages at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- pre 1800: Early Massachusetts Marriages Vol. I, Vol. II, Vol. III, Vol. IV at Ancestry; images only ($)
- 1600-1961: Massachusetts Marriages at Findmypast; index & images ($)
- 1620-1850: Massachusetts Town Marriage Records at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1633-1850: Massachusetts Compiled Marriages at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1695-1910, 1921-1924: Massachusetts Marriages at FamilySearch; index only
- 1700-1850: Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1784-1840: Massachusetts Marriage Index at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1841-1915: Massachusetts Marriages at FamilySearch; index & images; Also at Ancestry ($), MyHeritage ($)
- 1861-1956: Marriages performed by three Rabbis in Boston, Chicago and Massachusetts at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1901-1955, 1966-1970: Massachusetts Marriage Index at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- Old Colony Ancestors Marriages at GenealogyToday ($)
Deaths
- 1620-1850: Massachusetts Town Death Records at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1620-1988: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1640-1961: Massachusetts Town Deaths Index at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1700-1850: Massachusetts Compiled Birth, Marriage, and Death Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1795-1910: Massachusetts Deaths and Burials at FamilySearch; index only
- 1840-1910: Massachusetts Death Index at MyHeritage; index only ($)
- 1841-1915: Massachusetts Death Records at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1841-1915, 1921-1924: Massachusetts Deaths at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1844: Massachusetts Deaths Vol. 8, Barnstable to Hampshire; Volume 9, Middlesex to Worcester at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1901-1980: Massachusetts Death Index at Ancestry; index & images ($)
- 1935-2014: US Social Security Death Index at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1936-2007: US Social Security Applications at Ancestry; index only ($)
- 1962-2014: US Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch; index only
- 1969-2010: Massachusetts Deaths at Findmypast; index only ($)
- 1970-2003: Massachusetts Death Index at FamilySearch; index only; Also at Ancestry ($), AmericanAncestors ($)
- Online Massachusetts Death Records & Indexes at DeathIndexes
For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Massachusetts, see How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records, How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records, and How to Find Massachusetts Death Records.
Step 3: Try to find additional details about descendants in obituaries and cemetery records online.[edit | edit source]
These records can be especially useful for details about births and deaths that took place before 1841. Frequently, family members are buried near each other. FindAGrave, often lists details, not even listed on the tombstone, but added to the website by family members or researchers.
Obituaries
- Massachusetts Obituaries
- Obituaries.com
- Archives.com Obituaries for Massachusetts ($)
- Newspaper Obituary collection for Massachusetts: starts about 2003 to 2011 ($)
- Genealogy Buff User-Contributed Obituaries
- ProQuest Newspapers.com Library ($)
- Obituary Links Page, by town and county
- Online Massachusetts Death Records & Indexes
- Ancestry.com United States Obituary Collection for Massachusetts ($)
- Massachusetts Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1988 - Current) at Genealogy Bank
- Obits.Archive
- Massachusetts Obituaries, by county and town
- 1899-2012 United States, Obituaries, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1899-2012 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1980-2014 United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Cemeteries
- Find-A-Grave
- Find A Grave Index at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
- Billion Graves
- BillionGraves Index at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
- BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
- United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch – How to Use This Collection
- Farber Gravestone Collection
- Massachusetts Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
- Massachusetts Cemetery Records at Interment
- Massachusetts Cemetery Records at New Horizons Genealogy
- Cemetery Transcriptions from the NEHGS Manuscript Collections, 1650-2000 at American Ancestors ($)
- Massachusetts Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
- Online Massachusetts Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes
- Massachusetts Cemeteries at A Very Grave Matter
For more information, see Massachusetts Obituaries and Massachusetts Cemeteries.
Step 4: Explore Historical Images for additional online records about descendants..[edit | edit source]
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
- Massachusetts, United States Historical Images, New Version
- Massachusetts, United States Historical Images, Old Version
Step 5: Search any other online records listed in Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records.[edit | edit source]
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.