Massachusetts Genealogy Guide: Difference between revisions

Massachusetts Genealogy Guide

''[[United States]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Massachusetts'''<br>

This is a genealogical and historical guide to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its state-level records. You will find help with state vital records, histories, church archives, newspaper collections, genealogical libraries, understanding the court system, military records, and immigration and naturalization records.<br>

== Massachusetts History  ==

 

 

=== Historical Data ===

<center>'''Border changes''' </center>

=== Counties ===

<center>[[Barnstable County, Massachusetts|Barnstable (1685)]] - [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire (1761)]] - [[Bristol County, Massachusetts|Bristol (1685)]]<br>[[Dukes County, Massachusetts|Dukes (1683/1695)]] - [[Essex County, Massachusetts|Essex (1643)]] - [[Franklin County, Massachusetts|Franklin (1811)]]<br>[[Hampden County, Massachusetts|Hampden (1812)]] - [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire (1662)]] - [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex (1643)]]<br>[[Nantucket County, Massachusetts|Nantucket (1695)]] - [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts|Norfolk (1793)]] - [[Plymouth County Massachusetts genealogy|Plymouth (1685)]]<br>[[Suffolk County, Massachusetts|Suffolk (1643)]] - [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester (1731)]] </center><br>

Massachusetts was created from two colonies in 1691. So records before that time would be part of:<br>

<center>[[Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629)]] - [[Plymouth Colony|Plymouth Colony (1620)]] </center><br>

*[[Norfolk (old) County, Massachusetts|Old Norfolk]], 1643-1680, which was all that north of the Merrimack River and south of the Piscataqua River being then the settled part of what became the royal province of New Hampshire in 1680 (except for roughly two to three miles above the Merrimack River).<br>

*[[Dominion of New England|Dominion of New England]], 1686-1689, a brief consolidation of several British Colonies into one that was very unpopular and it collapsed.<br>

*[[Maine|Maine]], records for this region called the District of Maine with counties of its own will all be found under Maine. Only high court and legislative records will be found under their Massachusetts headings.<br>

{{anchor|bib00}}  

 

This is a lengthy and detailed list of books and articles relating to general topics for Massachusetts. The focus was on books published before 1995, so newer books are welcome additions to this list. The bibliography is divided into several topical groups plus a general section.<br>

*''The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay ...'' (Boston, 1869-1922), 21v.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57278541 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>Digital versions at:<br>Vol. 1 - Provincial charters, Acts, 1692-1714 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_d01mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 2 - Acts, 1715-1741 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_c02mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 3 - Acts, 1742-1756 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl03mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 4 - Acts, 1757-1768 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_e04mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 5 - Acts, 1769-1780 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl05mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 6 - Private Acts, 1692-1780 - [http://books.google.com/books?id=LAgKAAAAIAAJ Google Books]<br>Vol. 7 - Resolves, etc., 1692-1702 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_m07mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 8 - Resolves, etc., 1703-1707 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_08mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 9 - Resolves, etc., 1708-1720 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_i09mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 10 - Resolves, etc., 1720-1726 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_k10mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 11 - Resolves, etc., 1726-1734 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_a11mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 12 - Resolves, etc., 1734-1741 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_s12mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 13 - Resolves, etc., 1741-1746 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_q13mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 14 - Resolves, etc., 1747-1753 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_t14mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 15 - Resolves, etc., 1753-1756 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_r15mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 16 - Resolves, etc., 1757-1760 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl16mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 17 - Resolves, etc., 1761-1764 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_p17mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 18 - Resolves, etc., 1765-1774 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_f18mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 19 - Resolves, etc., 1775-1776 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl19mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 20 - Resolves, etc., 1777-1778 - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_g20mass Internet Archive]<br>Vol. 21 - Resolves, etc., 1779-1780, Establishment of towns, etc. - [http://archive.org/details/actsresolvespubl_h21mass Internet Archive]<br>  

*William Brigham, ''The Compact with the Charter and Laws of the Colony of New Plymouth: Together with the charter of the Council at Plymouth and an Appendix'' (Boston, 1836), x, 357 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3643855 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/compactwithchart00newp Internet Archive] or [http://www.google.com/books?id=wQILAQAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>  

*Samuel F. Haven, ed., ''Records of the Company, from 1628 to 1641, as contained in the first volume of the archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts'' (Cambridge, Mass., 1850), cxxxviii, 107 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4581264 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcompany00mass Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=W3BKAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>  

*John Noble and John F. Cronin, eds., ''Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 1630-1692'' (Boston, 1901-1928), 3v.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5312701 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|267953|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P2rc or film 496679 Items 4-6}} (with digital links).<br>Digital versions at:<br>Vol. 1, 1673-1692, [http://archive.org/details/recordscourtass01crongoog Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=eq54AAAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 2, pt. 1, 1630-1641, [http://archive.org/details/recordscourtass00crongoog Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=-L4SAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 2, pt. 2, 1641-1644, NO digital version found.<br>Vol. 3, 1642-1673, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcourtof03mass Internet Archive].<br>  

*Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., ''Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay New England'' (Boston, 1853-1854; rep. New York 1968), 5v. in 6.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3522063 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|213805|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 N2s also film and fiche}} (with digtal links) or {{FHL|1921367|item|disp=reprint digital links}}.<br>Digital versions at:<br>Vol. 1, 1628-1641, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno01mass Internet Archive].<br>Vol. 2, 1642-1649, [http://archive.org/details/recordsgovernor00courgoog Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=ND8OAAAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 3, 1644-1657, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno03mass Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=u0IOAQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 4, pt. 1, 1650-1660, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno41mass Internet Archive].<br>Vol. 4, pt. 2, 1661-1674, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno42mass Internet Archive].<br>Vol. 5, 1674-1686, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno05mass Internet Archive].<br>  

*Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer, eds., ''Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England'' (Boston, 1855-1861), 12v. in 10.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2535001 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|344454|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 N2n or film 896852-896856}} (with digital links).<br>Digital versions at:<br>Vol. 1, Court Orders, v. I, 1633-1640, and Vol. 2, Court Orders, v. II, 1641-1651, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo0102newp Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=2cQwAQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 3, Court Orders, v. III, 1651-1661, and Vol. 4, Court Orders, v. IV, 1661-1668, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo0304newp Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=Z8kwAQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 5, Court Orders, v. V, 1668-1678, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo05newp Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=-Zk0AQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 6, Court Orders, v. VI, 1678-1691, [http://archive.org/details/cu31924070695105 Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=-EEOAAAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 7, Judicial Acts, 1636-1692, [http://archive.org/details/cu31924070695097 Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=NJo0AQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 8, Miscellaneous Records [''includes vital records''], 1633-1689, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo08newp Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=HsESAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 9, Acts of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, v. I, [http://archive.org/details/cu31924083937122 Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZsESAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 10, Acts of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, v. II, [http://archive.org/details/cu31924070695089 Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=ockwAQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 11, Laws, [http://archive.org/details/cu31924070695196 Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=rkEOAAAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>Vol. 12, Deeds &amp;c. [''i.e. Plymouth Colony Deeds, v. I''] and Book of Indian Records for Their Lands, [http://archive.org/details/recordsofcolonyo12newp Internet Archives] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=g585AQAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>

*Richard Le Baron Bowen, ''Massachusetts Records; a handbook for genealogists, historians, lawyers, and other researchers'' (Rehoboth, Mass., 1957), 66 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1284121 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Jeremiah Colburn, ''Bibliography of the Local History of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1871), 119 pp.<br>This is a reprint from the ''New England Historical and Genealogical Register'' from 1867 to 1871.<br>Digital versions at [http://books.google.com/books?id=NDITAAAAYAAJ Google Books] and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=17936 Ancestry] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4061194 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|819894|item|disp=FHL fiche 6078735}}.<br>  

*Martin Kaufman, John W. Ifkovic, and Joseph Carvalho III, eds., ''A Guide to the History of Massachusetts'' (New York, 1988), xii, 313 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15792223 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|467857|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 H23g}}.<br>  

*Charles Allcott Flagg, ''A Guide to Massachusetts Local History'' (Salem, Mass., 1907), ix, 256 pp.<br>No digital version available.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1719990 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|51074|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 A3f or film 1321013 Item 6}}.<br>  

*John D. Haskell Jr., ed., ''Massachusetts: A Bibliography of its History'' (Boston, 1976), xxx, 583 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/details/massachusettsbib00comm Internet Archive].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1735501 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|348862|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 H23m}}; Note: This was reprinted in 1983 and FHL has both copies.<br>  

*John Hayward, ''A Gazetteer of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1846; rev. ed., 1849), 452 pp. <br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/gazetteerofmassa1849hayw Internet Archive], [http://books.google.com/books?id=1frAe8t7eT4C Google Books] (1846 ed.), and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=21903 Ancestry] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/65308097 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|377321|item|disp=FHL film 1730151}} (1846 ed.).<br>  

*Historical Records Survey - Massachusetts, ''Inventory of City and Town Archives of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1939-1942), 22v.<br>Many digital versions - search on internet for specific title or find the listing under the town page.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5133862 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results#count=75&query=%2Btitle%3AInventory%20%2Btitle%3Aof%20%2Btitle%3ACity%20%2Btitle%3Aand%20%2Btitle%3ATown%20%2Btitle%3AArchives%20%2Btitle%3Aof%20%2Btitle%3AMassachusetts FHL has 19 of 22 volumes cataloged individually].<br>  

*Charles Henry Pope, ''The Pioneers of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1900), 549 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1013419 WorldCat (Other Libraries)] (1965 ed. only); {{FHL|427630|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 D2p}} (several editions and formats separately cataloged).<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/pioneersofmassac00pope Internet Archive] and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48213 Ancestry] ($).<br>''Supplement to the Pioneers of Massachusetts'' ([Boston, 1901]), xv pp.<br>No digital version available.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4304913 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*William Henry Whitmore, ''The Massachusetts Civil List for the Colonial and Provincial Periods, 1630-1774, being a list of the names and dates of appointment of all the civil officers constituted by authority of the charters, or the local government'' (Albany, N.Y., 1870), 172 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/massachusettsciv00whit Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=_8ASAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17571563 WorldCat (Other Libraries)] (many other editions); {{FHL|160653|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 N2w}} (1969 ed., also digital version cataloged separately).<br>  

*Carroll D. Wright, ''Report on the Custody and Condition of the Public Records of Parishes, Towns, and Counties'' (Boston, 1889), Courts, 379 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/reportoncustodyc00mass Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=IyYWAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5321644 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|43513|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 A3cr, fiche 6046869, or film 176644}}.<br>

The original vital record resides in the town or city where the event occurred (in colonial times, a family group of birth can include events from other towns). The recording of these records was ordered by the government as early as 1639, though not all places followed the law. Both [[Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony]] and [[Plymouth Colony|Plymouth Colony]] started to collect these records in a central location, but the practice died out by the mid-17th Century. The [[Massachusetts|Commonwealth of Massachusetts]] was the first state to create a permanent, statewide recording system starting in 1841. It is notable that the city of Boston lagged behind in reporting to the state and its records do not show up in the state system until a tougher regulation was implemented in 1850 (though the city did record these records locally). The only vital records closed to the public are the original births of amended records and those can be opened by a judge.<br>  

The original record still is found with the clerk of the town or city. All these records back to the earliest settlement of a town can always be viewed at the [http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm town or city clerk’s office]. Most all town and city vital records have been microfilmed by the Family History Library and microfiched by the Holbrook Research Institute of Oxford, Mass. [now Archive Publishing of Provo, Utah]. This tends to be the most complete record of the event. Since 1841, there should be a second copy with the state and sometimes has abbreviated information from the original. This second copy is the most widely available source for researchers. It has been preserved by the same two vendors listed above and can be found on online in a variety of places and forms as listed below.<br>  

{| width="50%" border="1" class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"

Before 1900, a few towns started publishing their own vital records in book form. The records were usually re-arranged into alphabetical order but separated by births, marriages, and deaths. Church and private records were added to get a more complete record and were clearly noted. The Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants published a few of these volumes along with the Systematic History Fund (a state fund); Essex Institute in Salem; Topsfield Historical Society, and others. The greatest number were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, in part from their Eddy Town-Record Fund. About two-thirds of the state (roughly 236 towns) has been published from the original town records and a few still are being released today. To learn more about this state publication project, see the article on [http://books.google.com/books?id=UssUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA52 The Publication of Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns] written in 1919. Check the [http://www.massmayflower.org/research/online/vital-records/vital-records-ma-towns-pre-1850.htm Mass. Town Pre-1850 Published Vital Records Guide] for a listing of the towns published up to 2011. There are links to some online versions below. A search in Google will reveal many town / region specific sites that have reproduced the volumes online or pdf versions available for downloading.<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]

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7853 Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850]<br>[extracted from FHL films of original records, not complete, but extensive]  

*The [http://ma-vitalrecords.org Early Vital Records of Massachusetts] website transcribes each page and links it to an image of original of the original page. As of May 2013, Plymouth County was only partially done and Suffolk County had not been started. The rest of the towns across the state were there. Click on the Town tab to get a list of towns by county.<br>

*Frederic William Bailey, comp., ''Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800'' (New Haven, Conn., 1897-1914, in 7v.; rep. Baltimore, 1968+).<br>Digital version for Vol. 1 (Worcester Co.) only at [http://archive.org/details/earlymassachuse00unkngoog Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=VKUihfQuBiEC Google Books].<br>Berkshire Genealogist Indexing Committee, ''Master Index to Early Massachusetts Marriages'' (Pittsfield, Mass., 1996), 131 leaves, is a single, full-name index to the series of seven volumes.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/36136812 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the first state to create statewide vital records in the modern sense starting in 1841. It is notable that the city of Boston lagged behind reporting to the state and its records do not show up at the state until about 1850 (though the city maintained its own records before then). The original state records are held by:  

Visitors can make their own copies from the microfilmed copies or request certified copies per their [http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcres/residx.htm#duplicate rules]. The archives only has the amended records up to v. 42 (1900). They have an [http://www.sec.state.ma.us/vitalrecordssearch/VitalRecordsSearch.aspx online index] to the records for 1841 to 1910 that is searchable for first name, last name, town, start year, end year, and type of record. Note that this is exact spelling searches only. Records can be ordered by email. No more than five requests per order and they are billed with your photocopies.<br>  

[http://www.americanancestors.org/home.html '''New England Historic Genealogical Society''']<br>99 - 101 Newbury Street<br>Boston MA 02116<br>Phone 888-296-3447  

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>

[https://familysearch.org/ '''Family History Library''']<br>35 North West Temple Street<br>Salt Lake City UT 84150<br>Phone 866-406-1830  

This library and its many branches (where you can borrow the microfilm for a small fee) will have all the same records as listed above. You can access online for free:  

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1536925 Births, 1841-1915]<br>[index and records from 1909 to 1915 ONLY]<br>  

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1469062 Marriages, 1841-1915]<br>[index and records from 1905(?) to 1915 ONLY]<br>  

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1463156 Deaths, 1841-1915]<br>[index and records from 1910(?) to 1915 ONLY]<br>  

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1928860 Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920]<br>[ACTUALLY, only 1916 to 1920, browsable by volume and page only]<br>

[http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/vital-records.html '''Registry of Vital Records and Statistics''']<br>150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor<br>Dorchester MA 02125<br>Phone 617-740-2600<br>Email [mailto:vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us]<br>They have limited research hours  

This office only makes certified copies of vital records. There are several ways to [http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/vitals/obtaining-certified-copies-of-vital-records.html purchases copies] both online and in person. This office also has the amended birth records after v. 42 (1900) and a statewide index to divorces from 1952 to the present (though the record itself will be with the probate court). There is a computerized index for the most recent records and five-year block indexes for births, marriages, and deaths onsite.  

Every five years, another block of five years is transferred to the State Archives and at the same time is made available through the New England Historic Genealogical Society and to the Family History Library. This office restricts access only by the fact that they are the only ones with the records. These records are open to the public. The original town copies are always open to the public.<br>  

Ancestry.com has the following index only:  

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7457 Death Index, 1970-2003] ($)<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>  

*John Ballard Blake, "The Early History of Vital Statistics in Massachusetts" in ''Bulletin of the History of Medicine'', 29 [1955]: 46-68.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33891126 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Charles Cowley, "Judicial Falsifications of History" in the ''New England Magazine and Bay State Montly'', May 1886.<br>Digital version at [http://www.newenglandmagazine.com/the-new-england-magazine/volume-1-no-5-march-1886/judicial-falsifications-of-history/ New England Magazine].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9960792 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*David Cressy, "The Seasonality of Marriage in Old and New England" in ''Journal of Interdisciplinary History'', 16 [1985]: 1-21.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/204319 Jstor] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1799976 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Historical Records Survey - Massachusetts, ''Guide to the Public Vital Records in Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1942), 342 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9375198 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1709250|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 A3hr}} (Los Angeles and Logan only).<br>  

*Robert Rene Kuczynski, "The Registration Laws in the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth" in ''American Statistical Association Publications'', 7 [1900-1901]: 65-73.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2276444 Jstor] (free).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1480864 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<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>

<center>Thanks to the [http://massmayflower.org Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants] for their contributions to this page </center> <center>[[#top|Top of Page]] || [[#vr00|Top of VRs]]</center>  

The earliest settlers in this region were issued patents or charters directly or through various types of companies established for settlement and/or trade. See the [[#Historical_Data|Historical Data]] table to identify these early documents. Once the two major colonies were settled (i.e. [[Plymouth Colony|Plymouth Colony]] and [[Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony]]), land was distributed by their colonial governments through grants. [[Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony]] established a county system in 1643 and land was recorded in the county deeds from then on. [[Plymouth Colony|Plymouth Colony]] used a centralized system and recorded these deeds colony-wide from 1620 to 1685 until it finally established a county system in 1685. The land records for the area now called [[Maine|Maine]] were always kept separately first entirely as was later was called York County. For each of these areas, land was granted for many years after the initial settlement as the colony expanded into uncharted territory given to it under the various patents and charters. All subsequent sales were recorded by the county. Though the vast majority of land transactions were recorded, it was not a requirement that this be done. It was in the best interest of the owner to do so, and legal advantages were given to such recordings. To search for land records, see the guide for the [[#Counties|county]] of interest and use the resources found there<br>  

*Edmund Hatch Bennett, Russell Gray, and Henry W. Swift, ''Massachusetts Digest of the reported decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ... September, 1804 - December, 1879'' (Boston, 1906), 8v.<br>No digital version online.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58739861 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Daniel R. Coquillette, "Law in Colonial Massachusetts, 1630-1800" as ''Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications'', vol. 62 (Boston, 1984), lxviii, 608 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11689604 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|268532|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P3L}}.<br>  

*John D. Cushing, comp., ''A Bibliography of the Laws and Resolves of the Massachusetts Bay, 1642-1780'' (Wilmington, Del., 1984), xxiv, 372 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/10829144 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Catherine S. Menand, ''A Research Guide to the Massachusetts Courts and Their Records'' (Boston, 1987), 135 pp., 1 microfiche.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18835405 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|580185|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P2m}}.  

*Michael S. Hindus, ''et al''., ''The Records of the Massachusetts Superior Court and Its Predecessors: An Inventory and Guide'' (Boston, 1977), 93 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5650520 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.  

*William Jeffrey, ''Early New England Court Records: A Bibliography of Published Materials'' (Cambridge, Mass., 1954), 27 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2086374 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|103857|item|disp=FHL film 234519}}.  

*Mary Ann Neary, ''et al''., ''Handbook of Legal Research in Massachusetts'' (Boston, rev. ed., 2002), 1v. (loose-leaf).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/744462697 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.  

*Diane Rapaport, ''New England Court Records: A Research Guide for Genealogists and Historians'' (Burlington, Mass., 2006), xv, 470 pp..<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/64588953 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1316270|item|disp=FHL book 974 P27r}}.<br>

*''Catalogue of the Records and Files of the Office of the Clerk, Supreme Judicial Court of the County of Suffolk'' (Boston, 1890; rev. ed., 1897), 181 pp.<br>Relates to the entire state; gives dates and places where court was held 1692-1797.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/cataloguerecord00courgoog Internet Archives], [http://books.google.com/books?id=UXoqEXfWyt4C Google Books], and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=17953 Ancestry] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20401950 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|228647|item|disp=FHL book 974.46 A3c or film 908077 Item 2}} or {{FHL|820308|item|disp=FHL fiche 6078747}}.<br>  

*David T. Konig, ed., ''Plymouth Court Records, 1686-1859'' (Wilmington, Del., 1978-1981), in 16v. and computer file (Boston, 2002).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15549735 WorldCat (Other Libraries)] or [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53914071 WorldCat (Other Libraries)] [computer file]; {{FHL|47392|item|disp=FHL book 974.482 P2p v. #}} with computer link.  

*Charles T. Libby, Robert E. Moody, and Neal W. Allen Jr., ''Province and Court Records of Maine'' (Portland, Me., 1928-1975), in 6v.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1424267 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|286437|item|disp=FHL book 974.1 P2p v. #; film 982043, or fiche 6046855}}.  

*''List of Persons Whose Names Have Been Changed in Massachusetts, 1780-1892'' (Boston, 1893; rep. Baltimore, 1972).<br>Digital versions at [http://books.google.com/books?id=pL0ZAAAAYAAJ Google Books] and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=26492 Ancestry] ($).<br>Original: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4985756 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|165740|item|disp=FHL film 496747 Item 5}} with digital link. Reprint: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/235696 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|159203|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 D4L 1893}}.  

*Nathan Murphy, "Early Files of the County Courts of Massachusetts" in ''Massachusetts Historical Society Publications'', 57 [1923-1924]: 20-28.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9526253 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1264037|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 C4p v. 57}}.<br>  

*John Noble, “The Early Court Files of Suffolk County” in the ''Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts'', 3 [1900]: 317-326.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/stream/publications03colouoft#page/316/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=HIQsAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA317 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/489901478 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|481450|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 B4cs v. # or film 844519 Item 1}}.  

*John Noble, “The Records and Files of the Superior Court of Judicature, and of the Supreme Judicial Court, Their History and Places of Deposit” in the ''Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts'', 5 [1902]: 5-26.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/stream/publications05colouoft#page/4/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=KP4KAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA5 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/489901478 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|481450|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 B4cs v. # or film 844520}}.  

*John Noble and John F. Cronin, eds., ''Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 1630-1692'' (Boston, 1901-1928), in 3v.<br>Digital version at Google Books ([http://books.google.com/books?id=fzE4AAAAIAAJ v. 1] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=7q94AAAAMAAJ v. 2] only).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5312701 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|267953|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P2rc v. 2-3 or film 496679 Items 4-6}} with digital link.

*Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., ''Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England'' (Boston, 1853-1854; rep. New York, 1968; computer file, Columbia, Md., 2006), 5v. in 6. [Note: For a detailed discussion of the founding of this company, see Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, (Cambridge, Mass., 1850), v. 3, pp. ix-cxxxviii followed by the transcription of v. 1 and online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=W3BKAAAAYAAJ Google Books].]<br>Digital versions at Internet Archive ([http://archive.org/stream/recordsofgoverno01mass#page/n7/mode/2up v. 1], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsgovernor00courgoog#page/n4/mode/2up v. 2], [http://archive.org/stream/cu31924082451471#page/n7/mode/2up v. 3], [http://archive.org/stream/cu31924091024590#page/n7/mode/2up v. 4, pt. 1], [http://archive.org/stream/cu31924104781327#page/n9/mode/2up v. 4, pt. 2], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsgovernor01courgoog#page/n8/mode/2up v. 5]) and Google Books ([http://books.google.com/books?id=ND8OAAAAIAAJ v. 2], [http://books.google.com/books?id=u0IOAQAAMAAJ v. 3] only).<br>Original: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3522063 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|213805|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 N2s v. #, fiche 6046893, or various filmings}} with digital link. Reprint: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13598931 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1921367|item|disp=as digital links for v.3-5}}. Computer file: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/665895979 WorldCat (Other Libraries)].  

*Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer, eds., ''Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England'' (Boston, 1855-1861; rep. New York, 1968), 12v. in 10. [Note: For a guide to this series, see [http://www.massmayflower.org/research/guides/ma/county/plymouth-col/guides-ma-plymouth-col-pub-rec.htm MassMayflower.org].]<br>Digital versions at Internet Archive ([http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo0102newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 1-2], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo0304newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 3-4], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo0506newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 5-6], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo0708newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 7-8], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo0910newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 9-10], [http://archive.org/stream/recordsofcolonyo1112newp#page/n5/mode/2up v. 11-12]) and Google Books ([http://books.google.com/books?id=2cQwAQAAMAAJ v. 1], [http://books.google.com/books?id=-EEOAAAAIAAJ v. 6], [http://books.google.com/books?id=9cASAAAAYAAJ v. 7], [http://books.google.com/books?id=HsESAAAAYAAJ v. 8], [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZsESAAAAYAAJ v. 9], [http://books.google.com/books?id=rkEOAAAAIAAJ v. 11], [http://books.google.com/books?id=zkEOAAAAIAAJ v. 12] only), and [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006784512 Hathi Trust].<br>Original: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2535001 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|213805|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 N2n v. #, fiche 6046866, or films 896852-896856}} with digital link. Reprint: [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/347595 WorldCat (Other Libraries)].  

*Robert N. Toppan, “Council Records of Massachusetts under the Administration of President Joseph Dudley” in ''Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society'', 2nd Series, 13 [1899]: 237-268.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/stream/proceedingsofmas213mass#page/222/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=EMwTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA222 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1695300 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.  

*Robert N. Toppan, ed., “Andros Records” in ''Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society'', New Series, 13 [1900]: 237-168, 463-499.<br>No digital copy found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1479298 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.  

*Carroll D. Wright, ''Report on the Custody and Condition of the Public Records of Parishes, Towns, and Counties'' (Boston, 1889), Courts, pp. 305-379.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/reportoncustodyc00mass#page/304/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=IyYWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA305 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5321644 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|43513|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 A3cr, fiche 6046869, or film 176644}}.<br>

*David Grayson Allen, ''In English Ways: The Movement of societies and the transferal of English local law and custom to Massachusetts Bay in the Seventeenth Century'' (Chapel Hill, N.C., 1981), xxi, 312 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/6195034 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|319929|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 H6a}}.<br>  

*Thomas E. Atkinson, "The Development of the Massachusetts Probate System" in ''Michigan Law Review'', 42 [1943-1944]: 425-452.<br>Digital versions at [www.jstor.org/stable/1283518 Jstor] ($) or [http://heinonline.org HeinOnline] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1757366 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Viola F. Barnes, ''The Dominion of New England, a study in British Colonial Policy'' (New Haven, Conn., 1923), viii, 303 pp..<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/245633 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*Melville Madison Bigelow, "Primogeniture in Massachusetts" in ''Massachusetts Historical Society Publications'', 45 [1911-1912]: 34-35.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.bpl.org/stable/25080001?seq=8 Jstor] (free).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9526253 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1264024|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 C4p v. 45}}.<br>  

*Barbara Aronstein Black, "The Judicial Power and the General Court in Early Massachusetts (1634-1686)," Ph.D. Dissertation, Yale Univ., 1975, vii, 373 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7984953 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Frank E. Bradbury, "Laws and Courts of the Massachusetts Bay Colony" in ''Bostonian Society Publications'', 10 [1913]: 129-159.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33372679 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1260773|item|disp=FHL book 974.461 H25b v. 10}}.<br>  

*Ellen Elizabeth Brennan, "The Massachusetts Council of the Magistrates" in ''New England Quarterly'', 4 [1931]: 54-93.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/359217 Jstor] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1759778 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Virginia G. Cartoof, "Massachusetts' Parental Consent Law: Origins, Implementation and Impact," Ph.D. Dissertation, Brandeis Univ., 1985, 228 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13351676 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Zechariah Chafee Jr., “Colonial Courts and the Common Law” in David F. Flaherty, ed., ''Essays in the History of Early American Law'' (Chapel Hill, N.C., 1969), x, 534 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19322 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*Daniel R. Coquillette, ed., ''Law in Colonial Massachusetts 1630-1800'' (Boston, 1984), being v. 62 of the ''Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts'', lxviii, 608 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11689604 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|268532|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P3L}}.<br>  

*Cornelius Dalton, John Clark Wirkkala, and Anne Thomas, ''Leading the Way: A History of the Massachusetts General Court, 1629-1980'' (Boston, 1985), 489 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12436955 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*William T. Davis, ''History of the Judiciary of Massachusetts, including the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies, the province of the Massachusetts Bay, and the Commonwealth'' (Boston, 1900), xxiv, 446 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/cu31924060052788 Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=fTU4AAAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1809598 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|307570|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P2d}}.<br>  

*James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz, ''The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony'' (New York, 2000), xvi, 366 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44267850 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*Alan J. Dimond, ''The Superior Court of Massachusetts: Its Origin and Development'' (Boston, 1960), xii, 187 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2106314 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*James Smith Garland, ''Massachusetts Town Law; a digest of statutes and decisions concerning towns and town officers ...'' (Boston, 1908), iv, 226 pp.<br>Digital version of 1906 edition at [http://archive.org/stream/cu31924030536662#page/n123/mode/2up Internet Archive].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60734355 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Julius Goebel Jr., “King’s Law and Local Custom in Seventeenth Century New England” in David F. Flaherty, ed., ''Essays in the History of Early American Law'' (Chapel Hill, N.C., 1969), x, 534 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19322 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>Julius Goebel, "King's Law and Local Custom in Seventeenth-Century New England" [''for Plymouth Colony''] in the ''Columbia Law Review'', 31 [1931]: 416-448.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/1114893 Jstor] ($).<br>.[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1564231 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*George Lee Haskins, "The Beginning of the Recording System in Massachusetts" [''i.e. deeds, morgages, etc.''] in ''Boston University Law Review'', 21 [1941]: 281-304.<br>Digital version at [http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/bulr21&div=17&id=&page= HeinOnline] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49374769 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*George L. Haskins, ''Law and Authority in Early Massachusetts: A Study in Tradition and Design'' (New York, 1960), xvi, 298 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/420744 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*George L. Haskins, “Reception of the Common Law in Seventeenth Century Massachusetts: A Case Study” in George Althan Billias, ed., ''Law and Authority in Colonial America'' (Barre, Mass., 1965), xxi, 208 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/225438 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*George L. Haskins, “The Legal Heritage of Plymouth Colony” in David F. Flaherty, ed., ''Essays in the History of Early American Law'' (Chapel Hill, N.C., 1969), x, 534 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19322 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*George L. Haskins, “The Beginnings of Partible Inheritance in the American Colonies” in David F. Flaherty, ed., ''Essays in the History of Early American Law'' (Chapel Hill, N.C., 1969), x, 534 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19322 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*Hendrik Hartog, “The Public Law of a County Court; Judicial Government in Eighteenth Century Massachusetts” in ''American Journal of Legal History'', 20 [1976]: 282-329.<br>Digital version online at [http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/844858 Jstor] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1480152 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|117210|item|disp=FHL book 973 B2ajL v. 20}}.<br>  

*Charles Joseph Hilkey, ''Legal Development in Colonial Massachusetts, 1630-1686'' (New York, 1910), 148 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/details/legaldevelopment00hilkrich Internet Archive].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1987216 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Mark de Wolfe Howe and Louis F. Eaton, "The Supreme Judicial Power in the Colony of Massachusetts" in ''New England Quarterly'', 20 [1947]: 291-316.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/361441 Jstor] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1759778 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*George D. Langdon Jr., ''Pilgrim Colony: A History of New Plymouth, 1620-1691'' (New Haven, Conn., 1966), xi, 257 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/475810 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*Albert Mason, "A Short History of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts" in ''Massachusetts Law Quarterly'', 2 [1916-1917]: 82-100.<br>Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=b8ewAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA82 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1756834 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*William E. Nelson, ''Americanization of the Common Law: The Impact of Legal Change in Massachusetts Society, 1760-1830'' (Cambridge, Mass., 1975), ix, 269 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1399551 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*John Noble, “A Few Notes on Admiralty Jurisdiction in the Colony and in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay” in the ''Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts'', 8 [1905]: 3-38 and Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts: Transactions, 1902-1904, 8 [1906]: 150-186.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/stream/publicationscol00unkngoog#page/n214/mode/2up Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=Q3ue5-co-zkC&pg=PA3 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/489901478 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|481450|item|disp=FHL film 844521}}.<br>  

*Russell K. Osgood, ed., ''The History of the Law in Massachusetts: The Supreme Judicial Court 1692-1992'' (Boston, 1992), 790 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/27700531 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*D. C. Parnes, ''Plymouth and the Common Law, 1620-1775'' (Kingston, 1971), 59 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/567839 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*George E. Pearson, "The Great and General Court of Massachusetts, 1628-1691: A Study of its Early History with Special Reference to its Organization," Ph.D. Dissertation, Tufts Univ., 1910, viii, 116 pp.<br>No digital version.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5805568 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*George E. Pearson, "Origin of the Massachusetts General Court" in ''New England Magazine'', 54 [1915-1916]: 33-38.<br>No digital version.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7568653 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Edwin Powers, ''Crime and Punishment in Early Massachusetts, 1620-1692: A Documentary History'' (Boston, 1966), xiii, 647 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/413349 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; not at FHL.<br>  

*James P. Ronda, "Red and White at the bench: Indians and the Law in Plymouth Colony" in ''Essex Institute Historical Collections'', 110 [1974]: 200-215.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2255681 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1643504|item|disp=FHL book 974 B2e v. 110}}.<br>  

*Ronald Kingman Snell, "The County Magistracy in Eighteenth-Century Massachusetts: 1692-1750," Ph.D. Dissertation, Princeton Univ., 1971, ix, 384 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5865572 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Joseph H. Smith, ''Colonial Justice in Western Massachusetts (1639-1702)'' (Cambridge, Mass., 1961), ix, 426 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/345561 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|537167|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 P2c}}.<br>  

*Eugene Aubrey Stratton, ''Plymouth Colony: Its History &amp; People 1620-1691'' (Salt Lake City, 1986), xi, 481 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15349442 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|513087|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 H2s}}.<br>  

*Emory Washburn, ''Sketches of the Judicial History of Massachusetts from 1630 to the Revolution in 1775'' (Boston, 1840), 407 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/sketchesofjudici00washuoft Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=gpssAAAAIAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/681506733 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*William Henry Whitmore, ''A Bibliographical Sketch of the Laws of the Massachusetts Colony from 1630 to 1686'' (Boston, 1890), xliii, 150 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/details/bibliographicals00whit Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=n7kZAAAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1882470 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br><br>

*David Allen Lambert, ''A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries'' (Boston, 2002, 2nd ed., 2009), xvii, 345 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/318339243 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1567884|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 V34L}} (both for 2nd ed.).<br>

This section is focused on statewide, non-Federal census. Though many types of substitute records exist, only censuses will be addressed here.<br><br>The first census was taken in 1765. It enumerated statistically the number of houses, families, and people who were categorized under white males, white females (each with the number above and below age 16), Negro and Mulatto, Indians (each with the number of males and females), and French Neutrals (male and female, both above and below age 16). The town tallies were published at the end of Benton's book listed below.<br><br>The Provincial Congress needing to raise funds in 1775 determined it should be done by the population of the colonies. By an act on 16 Feb. 1776, the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a census to be taken to include the name of the heads of each family, number of white people, number of Negroes and Mulattoes, and the whole number within each family. These returned were to be submitted by each town.<br><br>The Congress again wanted an enumeration in 1781, but that resulted in creating estimates based on the current polls at the time. The Congress requested another census on 17 Feb. 1783 and Massachusetts responded in 1784 for an "accurate account of the quantity of land within this Commonwealth granted to, or surveyed for, any person, the number of buildings thereon, and of its inhabitants." Returns by town were to be made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth as of 1 Sept. 1784.<br><br>Massachusetts took two censuses in 1837 - one of inhabitants and the other of ratable polls. In 1840, the Commonwealth elected to take their own census along with the one the Federal government was doing. The state count was roughly 20,000 less than the Federal tally for 1840 and 1850. The Commonwealth started its own decennial census in 1855 and these continued through 1975. The only surviving schedules are for 1855 and 1865, and returns for 1915. The Legislature decided to change the basis of representation in the state from inhabitants to legal voters in 1857. At the same time, they repealed the duplicate state census they conducted along side the Federal census. The provision for legal voters was repealed in 1860 and that tally was done in conjunction with the decennial censuses of the state on the fifth year.<br><br>For 1855, the census recorded every person by name in the household, age, sex, color, occupation, place of birth, and whether a person was deaf, dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict. Enumerators is twenty-two (22) towns listed the exact place of birth. These towns are:<br>Abington, Andover, Brimfield, Brookline, Carlisle, Dennis, Enfield, Harwich, Holland, Ipswich, Marshfield, New Ashford, North Attleboro, Pembroke, Provinctown, Shutesbury, Wayland, Wellfleet, Westport, Wilmington, and Yarmouth.<br>'''These records are available online at FamilySearch as {{RecordSearch|1459985|Massachusetts, State Census, 1855}}'''.<br><br>For 1865, the census recorded every person by name in the household, age, sex, color, place of birth, marital status, occupation, whether a person was deaf, dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict, and whether a man was a ratable poll (i.e. over 16 with enough property to be taxed), and a legal voter or a naturalized voter. Enumerators is ninety-six (96) towns listed the exact place of birth. These towns are:<br>Ashburnham, Ashfield, Bedford, Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Brimfield, Brookline, Carlisle, Charlestown, Chatham, Cheshire, Chester, Cummington, Dartmouth, Dennis, Dorchester, Dunstable, Edgartown, Essex, Falmouth, Florida, Foxborough, Framingham, Freetown, Gill, Gosnold, Grafton, Greenwich, Groton, Hadley, Halifax, Hancock, Harwich, Hawley, Holland, Hopkinton, Ipswich, Lee, Leicester, Lenox, Lexington, Leyden, Littleton, Lunenburg, Lynn (Wds. 3-5), Lynnfield, Marlborough, Marshfield, Melrose, Middleton, Milton, Monroe, Monson, Monterey, Needham, New Ashford, New Bedford (Wd. 4), New Salem, North Bridgewater [''now Brockton''], North Reading, Northfield, Palmer, Pepperell, Quincy, Reading, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockport, Russell, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Shutesbury, Somerset, South Danvers [''now Peabody''], Stoughton, Sutton, Swampscott, Tisbury, Uxbridge, Ware, Wareham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellfleet, Wendell, Westborough, Westford, Westminister, Weymouth, Williamsburg, Wilmington, Winthrop, and Yarmouth.<br>'''These records are available online at FamilySearch as {{RecordSearch|1410399|Massachusetts, State Census, 1865}}'''.<br><br>This is a short bibliography on the subject of censuses in Massachusetts:<br>

*Josiah Henry Benton, ''Early Census Making in Massachusetts, 1643-1765, with a reproduction of the lost census of 1765 (recently found) and documents relating thereto'' (Boston, 1905), 104 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/earlycensusmaki00bentgoog Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=fSlXZijctyMC Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2100989 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*William H. Dumont, "A Short Census of Massachusetts - 1779" in the ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly'', 49: 14-20, 96-100, 137-141; 50: 26-28, 207-214; 51: 44-48.<br>This is included because of the title, but it should be noted that this is not a census.<br>

*Charles Ferris Gettemy, ''An Historical Survey of Census Taking in Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1919), 57 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=CkwaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA697 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/814843879 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Samuel Abbott Green, "The First Census of Massachusetts" [''i.e. 1765''] in ''Publications of the American Statistical Association'', New Ser., 2 [1890-1891]: 182-185.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2276526 Jstor] (free).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41125188 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Ann S. Lainhart, ''State Census Records'' (Baltimore, 1992), 116 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26517040 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|568961|item|disp=FHL book 973 X2Lai}}.<br>  

*Ann Smith Lainhart, ''1855 and 1865 Massachusetts State Censuses For ...'' (Boston, 1986-1992), in 64 volumes for the seventy-three (73) towns of Acton, Bedford, Billerica, Boxboro, Boxford, Bradford, Bridgewater, Brighton, Burlington, Charlestown (2v.), Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Essex, Georgetown, Groton, Groveland, Halifax, Hamilton, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hull, Ipswich, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marlborough, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Medford, Melrose, Middleborough, Middleton, Nahant, Natick, Newbury, North Andover, North Bridgewater [''now Brockton''], Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Rockport, Saugus, South Reading [''now Wakefield''], Sherborn, Shirley, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Wareham, Watertown, Wayland, Wenham, West Bridgewater, West Cambridge [''now Arlington''], West Newbury, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, and Winchester.<br>  

*"Old Census of Massachusetts" [''1764-65''] published in the ''Columbian Centinel'', issue 17 Aug. 1822, p. 1, cols. 2-3.<br>

<center>[[#top|Top of Page]]</center>  

Information regarding specific churches is best found on the town pages. This guide will list demoninational archives followed by a bibliography of histories of the various churches in Massachusetts.<br>  

{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"

! width="125" scope="col" | Demonination

! width="250" scope="col" | Archive

! width="500" scope="col" | Description

| Baptist

| <center>Andover Newton Theological School<br>210 Herrick Rd.<br>Newton Centre MA 02459<br>617-964-1100<br>[http://www.ants.edu/ website]</center>

| The [http://www.ants.edu/library/ Franklin Trask Library] hold several dozen local area church records of now defunct churches.

| Congregational

| <center>The Congregational Library<br>14 Beacon St.<br>Boston MA 02108<br>617-523-0470<br>[http://www.congregationallibrary.org/home website]</center>

| This library has a wealth of books on Congregationalism and there are [http://www.congregationallibrary.org/resources/efg-index online guides] to finding aids for manuscript collections.

| Episcopal

| <center>Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts<br>138 Tremont St.<br>Boston MA 02111<br>617-482-5800<br>[http://www.diomass.org/ website]</center>

| The [http://www.diomass.org/content/archives Archives] does not maintain a list of records they hold, but consult the guide to their holdings in the bibliography below.

| Episcopal

| <center>Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts<br>37 Chestnut St.<br>Springfield MA 01103<br>413-737-4786<br>[http://www.diocesewma.org/ website]</center>

| This [http://www.diocesewma.org/about-us/archives Archives] has an [http://www.diocesewma.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/INVENTORIES-SUMMARY-pdf.pdf online guide] (pdf file) that shows the few church records they hold.

| Jewish

| <center>American Jewish Historical Society<br>99-101 Newbury St.<br>Boston MA 02116<br>617-226-1245<br>[http://www.ajhs.org/ website]</center>

| This library is within the New England Historic Genealogical Society, but maintains their own reference desk and collections. Their [http://ajhs.org/collections/newfindingaids.cfm manuscript holdings] are online.

| Lutheran

| <center>The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia<br>7301 Germantown Ave.<br>Philadelphia PA 19119<br>215-248-6383<br>[http://ltsp.edu/ website]</center>

| The [http://ltsp.edu/lutheran-archives-philadelphia Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia] holds the records of defunct churches and other records given to them, but there is no inventory of them online.

| Methodist

| <center>Boston University<br>School of Theology Library<br>745 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Flr.<br>Boston MA 02215<br>617-353-1323<br>[http://www.bu.edu/sthlibrary/archives/ website]</center>

| The library holds a large number of church records and their [http://www.bu.edu/sthlibrary/archives/collections/neccah/records-files-state/ma-records/ online guides]. Their holdings of [http://www.bu.edu/sthlibrary/archives/collections/neccah/records-files-state/boston-records/ Boston church records] is a separate list. Also check their [http://www.bu.edu/sthlibrary/archives/collections/neccah/records-files-state/ma-files/ historical files] for non-church record material.

| Presbyterian

| <center>Presbyterian Historical Society<br>425 Lombard St.<br>Philadelphia PA 19147<br>215-627-1852<br>[http://www.history.pcusa.org/ website]</center>

| The library does not hold any Massachusetts church records, but they have [http://www.history.pcusa.org/dbtw-wpd/Textbase5/Halls%20webQuery.htm Hall's Index Database] that will list all the churches by town and give some historical data.

| Roman Catholic

| <center>Archives of the Archdiocese of Boston<br>66 Brooks Dr.<br>Braintree MA 02184<br>617-746-5795<br>[http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Archives.aspx website]</center>

| This diocese serves Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties. There are online guides to parish establishments, church and cemetery records held by the archives, and other resources from their main page.

| Roman Catholic

| <center>Diocese of Fall River<br>362 Highland Ave.<br>PO Box 2577<br>Fall River MA 02722<br>508-675-1311<br>[http://www.fallriverdiocese.org/index.asp website]</center>

| This diocese serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes and Nantucket Counties. This Archives collects, organizes, and preserves records, documents and memorabilia of the Diocese for administrative and historical purposes, but is not open to the general public.

| Roman Catholic

| <center>Diocese of Springfield<br>65 Elliott St.<br>PO Box 1730<br>Springfield MA 01102<br>413-732-3175<br>[http://www.diospringfield.org/index.html website]</center>

| This diocese serves Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties, but does not maintain an Archive.

| Roman Catholic

| <center>Diocese of Worcester<br>49 Elm St.<br>Worcester MA 01609<br>508-791-7171<br>[http://www.worcesterdiocese.org/bishop/OfficeoftheBishop/tabid/367/Default.aspx website]</center>

| This diocese serves Worcester County, but does not maintain an Archive.

| Society of Friends<br>(Quakers)

| Unitarian/Universalist

| <center>Harvard Divinity School<br>45 Francis Ave.<br>Cambridge MA 02138<br>617-495-5788<br>[http://www.hds.harvard.edu/ website]</center>

| The [http://www.hds.harvard.edu/library/bms/ Andover-Harvard Theological Library] maintains a detailed list of their holdings online.

'''General:'''  

*Leonard Bacon, ''The Genesis of the New England Churches'' (New York, 1874), xiv, 485 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/genesisofnewengl00bac Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=kaYRAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1465600 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|598979|item|disp=FHL film 1549735}}.<br>  

*Frederic William Bailey, comp., ''Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800'' (New Haven, Conn., 1897-1914, in 7v.; rep. Baltimore, 1968+).<br>Digital version for Vol. 1 (Worcester Co.) only at [http://archive.org/details/earlymassachuse00unkngoog Internet Archive] or [http://books.google.com/books?id=VKUihfQuBiEC Google Books].<br>Berkshire Genealogist Indexing Committee, ''Master Index to Early Massachusetts Marriages'' (Pittsfield, Mass., 1996), 131 leaves, is a single, full-name index to the series of seven volumes.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/36136812 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*John Michael Bumsted, ''The Pilgrims' Progress: The Ecclesiastical History of the Old Colony, 1620-1775'' (Ph.D. Disseertation, Brown Univ., 1965), v, 478 pp., and published (New York, 1989), iii, 403 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20056900 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*John Eliot, "Ecclesiastical History of Massachusetts and the Old Colony of Plymouth" in ''Massachusetts Historical Society Collections'', 7 [1800]: 262-280.<br>Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=SwsQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA262 Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1756821 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|28500|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 B4m ser. 1 v. 7}} (rep.).<br>  

*John Eliot, "Ecclesiastical History of Massachusetts" in ''Massachusetts Historical Society Collections'', 9 [1804]: 1-49; 10 [1809]: 1-37; 2nd Ser., 1 [1814]: 194-210.<br>No digital version found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1756821 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Henry Lawrence Southwick, ''The Policy of the Early Colonists of Massachusetts toward Quakers and others whom they regarded as intruders'' (Boston, 1885), viii, 21 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/policyofearlycol00sout Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=btZYAAAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4661302 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Conrad Wright, "Arminianism in Massachusetts, 1723-1780," Ph.D. Dissertation, Harvard Univ., 1943, iii, 418 pp.<br>Only at [http://hollis.harvard.edu/?itemid=%7Clibrary/m/aleph%7C001439719 Andover-Harvard Theology School Lbrary].<br>

*Carroll D. Wright, ''Report on the Custody and Condition of the Public Records of Parishes, Towns, and Counties'' (Boston, 1889), Courts, 379 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/reportoncustodyc00mass Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=IyYWAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5321644 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|43513|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 A3cr, fiche 6046869, or film 176644}}.<br>

'''Baptist:'''  

 

*Thomas E. Buckley, "Church and State in Massachusetts Bay: A Case Study of Baptist Dissenters, 1651" in ''Journal of Church and State'', 23 [1981]: 309-322.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1586802 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*John Woolman Brush, ''Baptists in Massachusetts'' (Valley Forge, Pa., 1970), 78 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/73763 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|114813|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2bj}}.<br>

*''Consolidated History of the Fifteen Churches of the Framingham Baptist Association'' (South Framingham, Mass., 1902), 131 pp.<br>No digital version found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2017777 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*William Harrison Eaton, ''Historical Sketch of the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society and Convention, 1802-1902'' (Boston, 1903), x, 240 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00eato Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=b18sAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2738414 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>Note: "Pastors of Baptist churches in Massachusetts, 1802-1902," p. [http://archive.org/stream/historicalsketch00eato#page/136/mode/2up 137-213].<br>

*''History of the Baptist Churches Composing the Sturbridge Association, from their Origin to 1843'' (New York, 1844), 54 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/historybaptistc00assogoog Internet Archive], [http://books.google.com/books?id=4wDlLze-TjkC Google Books], and [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009732745 Hathi Trust].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2168453 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*W. G. McLaughlin, ''New England Dissent, 1630-1833, The Baptists and Separation of Church and State'' (Cambridge, 1971), 2v.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/128483 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Carla Gardina Pestana, ''Quakers and Baptists in Colonial Massachusetts'' (New York, 1991), xii, 197 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22984208 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|712353|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2p}}.<br>

*David Porter, "The Baptist Struggle for Religious Freedom in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1650-1670" in ''Foundation'', 14 [1971]: 24-32.<br>Not in WorldCat; Not at FHL.<br>

 

'''Congregational:'''  

 

*Joseph S. Clark, ''A Historical Sketch of the Congregational Churches in Massachusetts from 1620 to 1858'' (Boston, 1858), xii, 344 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/historicalsketc00clar Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=oWJ3umhv1c4C Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7595644 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*"Complete List of the Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers in Massachusetts from the settlement of the colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay to the present time" [Note: Only covers Suffolk and Berkshire counties] in ''American Quarterly Register'', 7 [1834-1835]: 28-38.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/145084550 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*"The Congregational Churches of Massachusetts" in ''Spirit of the Pilgrims'', 1 [1828]: [http://archive.org/stream/spiritofpilgrims_01bost#page/56/mode/2up 57-74], [http://archive.org/stream/spiritofpilgrims_01bost#page/112/mode/2up 113-140].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1766347 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*B. B. Edwards, "Complete List of the Congregational Ministers in the Old County of Hampshire, Ms. (including the present counties of Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden) from the first settlement to the present times" in ''American Quarterly Register'', 10 [1837-1838]: [http://archive.org/stream/americanquarterlv10amer#page/260/mode/2up 260-276], [http://archive.org/stream/americanquarterlv10amer#page/378/mode/2up 379-407].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/145084550 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Henry Tilton Lummus, "The Established Church of Massachusetts" in ''Lynn Historical Society Register'', no. 5 [1901]: 34-52.<br>No digital version found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1756334 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1262697|item|disp=FHL book 974.45/L2 H25L no. 1-5 or film 1320530 Item 3}}.<br>

*Mary Frederica Rhinelander Morgan, ''Manuscript Collections of The Congregational Library at Boston: A Survey'' (Boston, 1982), xiv, 111 leaves.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11227857 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|571031|item|disp=FHL book 974.461 A3m or film 1421832 Item 3}}.<br>

*Richard H. Taylor, ''The Churches of Christ of the Congregational Way in New England'' (Benton Harbor, Mich., 1989), vii, 308 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20398303 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|464340|item|disp=FHL book 974 K27t}}.<br>

*Harold Field Worthley, ''An Inventory of the Records of the Particular (Congregational) Churches of Massachusetts Gathered 1620-1805'' (Cambridge, Mass., 1970), xiv, 716 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/113476 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1978165|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K23w}}.<br>

'''Episcopal:'''  

*Mark J. Duffy, ''Guide to the Parochial Archives of the Episcopal Church In Boston'' (Boston, 1981), v, 212 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8341981 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|422523|item|disp=FHL book 974.461 K23d}}.<br>

*Mark J. Duffy, ed., ''The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, 1784-1984'' (Boston, 1984), xvi, 737 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11686114 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|9314|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2e}}.<br>

*William Stevens Perry, ed., ''Papers Relating to the History of the [Episcopal] Church in Massachusetts, A.D. 1676-1785'' (Boston, 1873), 720 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/cu31924092469620 Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=NgRQAAAAYAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4812729 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Dudley Tyng, ''Massachusetts Episcopalians, 1607-1957'' (Boston, 1960?), x, 142 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2046082 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|180862|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2t}}.<br>

'''Jewish:'''  

*Lee Max Friedman, "Early Jewish Residents in Massachusetts" in ''Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society'', 23 [1915]: [http://archive.org/stream/no23americanjewi00ameruoft#page/78/mode/2up 79-90].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2018491 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1657089|item|disp=FHL book 973 B2jh no. 23}}.<br>

*''Souvenir History of the New England Southern Conference'', Vol. 1, New Bedford District (Nantucket, Mass., 1897), 3 v.<br>Digital versions of volume 1 at [http://archive.org/details/souvenirhistoryo00milliala Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=H_rqAAAAMAAJ Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4756716 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

 

 

*"Complete List of the Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers in Massachusetts from the settlement of the colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay to the present time" [Note: Only covers Suffolk and Berkshire counties] in ''American Quarterly Register'', 7 [1834-1835]: [http://archive.org/stream/americanquarterlv7amer#page/28/mode/2up 28-38].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7151577 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

 

 

*Richard Price Hallowell, ''The Quaker Invasion of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1883; rep. Bowie, Md., 1987), vi, 227 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/quakerinvasionof00hal Internet Archive], [http://books.google.com/books?id=W8wTAAAAYAAJ Google Books], and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3200 Ancestry] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11645007 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1400369|item|disp=FHL digital link only}} or {{FHL|619393|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2h}}.<br>

*Robert J. Leach, ''Nantucket Quaker Genealogy, Volumes one and two bound together'' (S.l., 19??; rep. Hillsboro, Ore., 1990), 2 v.<br>No digital version found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/561385 WorldCat (Other Libraries)] (rep.); {{FHL|561385|item|disp=FHL book 974.497 D2L}}.<br>

*George A. Selleck, ''Quakers in Boston'' (Cambridge, 1976), xii, 349 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3185998 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|383731|item|disp=FHL book 974.4 K2sg}}.<br>

 

 

*J. M. Finotti, "Chronology of Catholicity in Massachusetts" in ''United States Catholic Historical Magazine'', 1 [1887]: [http://archive.org/stream/unitedstatescat01socigoog#page/n343/mode/2up 314-315].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1773558 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*William H. J. Kennedy, "Catholics in Massachusetts before 1750" in ''Catholic Historical Review'', 17 [1931-1932]: 10-28.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/25012829 Jstor] ($ to download).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45416719 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Mary C. McAvoy, "Catholic Origins in Massachusetts" in ''Catholic World'', 132 [1930]: 174-182.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1553602 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*John J. McCoy, ''History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Springfield'' (Boston, 1900), 283 pp.<br>No digital version found.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2593746 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|1583215|item|disp=FHL digital link only}}.<br>

*James Michael O'Toole, ''Guide to the Archives of the Archdiocese of Boston''' (New York, 1982), xxciii, 238 pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7976962 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|10282|item|disp=FHL book 974.461 K23o}}.<br>

*Michael J. Shea, ed. ''A Century of Catholicism in Western Massachusetts'' (Springfield, Mass., 1931), 350, cxxxii pp.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3458027 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|215328|item|disp=FHL film 1598330 Item 5}}.<br>

 

 

*George Madison Bodge, ''Historical Sketch of the Norfolk Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches ... with brief sketches of the churches now belonging to the conference and lists of their ministers ...'' ([Randolph, Mass.?], 1900), 48 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00bodg Internet Archive].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4734612 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*George Edward Ellis, ''A Half-Century of the Unitarian Controversy, with particular reference to its origin, its course, and its prominent subjects among the Congregationalists of Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1857), xxiv, 511 pp.<br>Digital versions at [http://archive.org/details/ahalfcenturyuni01elligoog Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=8GyiZYdjXP8C Google Books].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11107588 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>  

*Frederick Lewis Weir, "Early Records of the Seventeenth-century Churches in Massachusetts which became Unitarian" in ''The Proceedings of the Unitarian Historical Society'', 7, Pt. 2 [1941]: 11-22.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1624337 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Conrad Wright, "Unitarian Beginnings in Western Massachusetts" in ''The Proceedings of the Unitarian Historical Society'', 21: 2 [1989]: 27-40.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1624337 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

 

 

*Historical Records Survey - Massachusetts, ''An Inventory of Universalist Archives in Massachusetts'' (Boston, 1942), iii, 489 pp.<br>Digital version at [http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006802473 Hathi Trust].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7061136 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|487521|item|disp=FHL film 1597561 Item 3}}.<br>

*David H. MacPherson, "The Massachusetts Universalist Convention" in ''Annual Journal of the Universalist Historical Society'', 6 [1966]: 5-24.<br>About the decline of Universalism, 1900-1950.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7949791 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

*Russell E. Miller, ''The Larger Hope, The First Century of the Universalist Church in America, 1770-1870'' (Boston, 1979), 2 v.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/16690792 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FHL.<br>

 

 

 

! colspan="2" | Quick Links to Immigration Records

| [[#imm01|Passenger Lists]]  

| [[#imm02|Naturalization Records]]

| [[#imm03|Other Records]]

| [[#imm04|Bibliography]]

|}

 

There are many types of records to help researchers with a better understanding of their immigrant's arrival to the United States. Presented here are the two main groups: passenger lists and naturalization records. Other records would include passports, border crossings, and special collections. Each section has a specific bibliography and a general list is found from the links above.  

 

 

 

! colspan="3" | Quick Links to Passenger Lists

|  

| [[#imm01|Introduction]]  

|  

|  

| <center>Records:</center>  

|  

| [[#pass01|Boston]]

| [[#pass02|Chicopee]]  

| [[#pass04|Gloucester]]

| [[#pass05|New Bedford]]  

| [[#pass06|Provincetown]]

| [[#pass07|Salem/Beverly]]

| [[#pass08|Woods Hole]]  

| [[#pass09|Misc. Ports]]

|  

| [[#pass10|Online Records]]  

|  

These passenger lists get more detailed as time goes on. The earliest records include the name of the vessel, the Master of the vessel, embarkation port, arrival port, arrival date, names of passengers (their age, sex, occupation, country of origin). More details such as a contact/nearest relative at home, who they are coming to see in the U.S., and other such information.<br>  

It was often cheaper to go to Canada first and then continue on to the United States. Between 1 Aug. 1891 and 30 Apr. 1904, records of immigrants traveling from or via Halifax, St. John, and Yarmouth to Boston were filed at Boston. Between 1 May 1904 and 30 June 1929, these records were examined in Canada and not examined in Boston, so their records were filed with the Canadian Border Arrival Records (St. Albans records, NARA publications M1461, M1463, M1464).  

<center>[[#top|Top of Page]] || [[#Immigration|Top of Immigration]] || [[#imm01|Top of Passenger Lists]]</center> <center>'''Records'''<br>[Note: NARA link will give location of records]</center>

{{anchor|pass01}} '''Boston'''  

*Records Relating to Passengers [Boston District], 1820-1891, [http://research.archives.gov/description/4672217 NARA RG 36 NC-154 Inv. 511A] (copies or abstracts only).<br>Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, 1820–1891: with index 1848–1891, {{FHL|70879|item|disp=FHL film 205656 (first of 397 films)}}.<br>Note: There are gaps in the records from 1855-1856, and between 31 Mar. 1874 to April 1883. The Massachusetts Archives records below do not have the second gap of nine years.<br>

*Registers of passengers arriving in Massachusetts ports, 1848-1891, at the [[#Archives|Massachusetts Archives]], {{FHL|1359597|item|disp=FHL film 2412195 (first of 42)}}.<br>

*Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, 1891-1943, [http://research.archives.gov/description/4319742 NARA T843].<br>  

*Book Indexes to Boston Passenger Lists, 1899-1940, [http://research.archives.gov/description/4283812 NARA T790] (chronological).<br>  

*Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Jan. 1944-Nov. 1954, [http://research.archives.gov/description/2668739 NARA HMS P116].<br>

*Passenger Lists of Vessels Departing from Boston, 06/1948-11/1954, [http://research.archives.gov/description/2674842 NARA HMS P172].<br>