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=== Massachusetts Research Strategies  ===
{{MA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
 
| link1=[[Massachusetts, United States Genealogy|Massachusetts]]
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Massachusetts<br>
| link2=
 
| link3=
:[[Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records|Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records]]  
| link4=
:[[How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records|How to find Massachusetts Birth Records]]
| link5=[[Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]
:[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|How to find Massachusetts Death Records]]
}}
 
{|style="float:right; margin-right:030px; background-color:#acd9f9" " width="25%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" border="1"
=== Massachusetts Research Tips ===
|
<center><font size = "4"><br>'''Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page'''</font></center><br>
<center>''The Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Massachusetts. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.''</center><br>
|}


These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts.
== Massachusetts Research Strategies  ==
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Massachusetts:<br>
<br>
===Finding Massachusetts Birth, Marriage or Death Records===
*[[GuidedResearch:Massachusetts|Finding Massachusetts Births, Marriages, and Deaths using Guided Research]]


*'''Birth information:''' Towns have been recording births in Massachusetts since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841.&nbsp;The best substitute record for locating birth information is [[How to Find United States Death Records|death records]]&nbsp;(the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]].
===Finding Massachusetts Records===
*'''Finding Parents:''' Massachusetts towns have been recording deaths since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. [[How to Find United States Death Records|Search Massachusetts death records]]
*[[Massachusetts Record Finder]]
*'''Look in all censuses:''' Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. [[United States Census Online|Search U.S. Censuses]].


=== Massachusetts Record Finder  ===
===Massachusetts Statewide Databases===
*[[Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records|Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records]]


This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.
===Massachusetts Research Process===
 
*[[Step-by-Step Massachusetts Research, 1880-Present]]
{| width="100%" border="1"
*[[Step-by-Step Massachusetts Research, 1850-1910]]
|-
*[[Massachusetts Descendancy Research]]
| '''1. What you are looking for:'''
*[[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts Genealogy Guide]]
| '''2. Try these records first:'''
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records|How to Find Birth Records]]
| '''3. Other useful records'''
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records|How to Find Marriage Records]]
|-
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|How to Find Death Records]]
| Birth information
*[[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts Genealogy Guide]]
| [[How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records|Birth records]], [[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|Death records]], [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Massachusetts Church Records|Church records]]  
| [[Massachusetts Cemeteries|Cemeteries]], [[Massachusetts Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Massachusetts Bible Records|Bible records]], [[Massachusetts Military Records|Military records]] (pension)
|-
| Marriage information
| [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Massachusetts,_United_States_-_Marriage_-_1841-1899 Marriage records], [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Massachusetts Bible Records|Bible records]]  
| [[Massachusetts Church Records|Church records]], [[Massachusetts Probate Records|Probate records]], [[Massachusetts Military Records|Military records]]
|-
| Death information
| [[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|Death Records]], [[Massachusetts Cemeteries|Cemeteries]], [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]]  
| [[Massachusetts Probate Records|Probate Records]], [[Massachusetts Church Records|Church Records]], [[Massachusetts Bible Records|Bible Records]]
|-
| Parents
| [[How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records|Birth records]],&nbsp;[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|Death records]], [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Massachusetts Census|Census]], [[Massachusetts Church Records|Church records]]  
| [[Massachusetts Biography|Biography]], [[Massachusetts Genealogy|Genealogy]]
|-
| Maiden name
| [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Massachusetts,_United_States_-_Marriage_-_1841-1899 Marriage Records], [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Massachusetts Probate Records|Probate records]]
| [[Massachusetts Church Records|Church Records]], [[Massachusetts Military Records|Military Records]] (pension)
|-
| Immigration date
| [[Massachusetts Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]], [[Massachusetts Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Massachusetts Census|Census]]
| [[Massachusetts Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Massachusetts Biography|Biography]], [[Massachusetts History|History]]
|-
| Naturalization
| [[Massachusetts Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Massachusetts Census|Census]], [[Massachusetts Court Records|Court Records]]
| [[United States Voting Records|Voting Registers]], [[Massachusetts Biography|Biography]], [[Massachusetts Periodicals|Periodicals]]
|-
| Physical description
| [[Massachusetts Military Records|Military Records]], [[Massachusetts Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]] (after 1906)
| [[Massachusetts Biography|Biography]], [[Massachusetts History|History]]
|}


=== Further Massachusetts Research  ===
== Massachusetts Research Tips ==
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts:<br>
<br>
'''Birth and Death information:'''<br>
----
*'''''Statewide registration:''''' Birth and Death records in Massachusetts on the state level start in 1841. General compliance date is unknown.<ref>''Massachusetts Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1997, 30-33. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). '''''Online at:''''' [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Massachusetts.pdf BYU University - Provo]</ref>
*'''''Town Records:''''' Town records included information about birth, marriage, and death before state registration in 1841. Town records can start as early as the 1630s or when the town was established.<ref>''Massachusetts Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1997, 30-33. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). '''''Online at:''''' [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Massachusetts.pdf BYU University - Provo]</ref>
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Massachusetts Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Massachusetts.
<br>
'''Substitute Records:'''
----
*'''''Secondary source:''''' Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
*'''''Accuracy:''''' Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help verify information.
*'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Massachusetts Substitute Records|Massachusetts Substitute Records]] for more information.
<br>
'''Finding Parents:''' 
----
*'''''Death records:''''' Death records created in the town records or by the state starting in 1841 may include information about the parents. However, information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
*'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Massachusetts Newspapers]] and [[Massachusetts Obituaries]] for more information.
*'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Massachusetts Church Records]] for more information.
<br>
'''Census Records:'''
----
*'''''Check all census years:''''' Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See [[Massachusetts Census|Massachusetts Census Records]] for more information.
*'''''Clues to other records:''''' There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
*'''''Finding families:''''' Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.


For more research on Massachusetts, including research at the county level, visit the [[Massachusetts|Massachusetts]] page on the Research Wiki.
== Further Massachusetts Research  ==
*[http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Massachusetts.pdf Massachusetts Family History Library Research Outline]
*[http://magenweb.org/index.html MAGenWeb] - Massachusetts GenWeb Project
*[http://genealogytrails.com/mass/ Massachusetts Genealogy Trails] - collection of transcribed data for the state of Massachusetts
*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/ma/ Cyndi's List] - Massachusetts genealogy websites
*[http://www.raogk.org/massachusetts-genealogy/ Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness] - State of Massachusetts Records Guide


Search all of the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/52?region=United%20States%20of%20America Massachusetts record collections] at FamilySearch.<br>
==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Massachusetts, United States]][[Category:Search strategies]]
[[Category:Massachusetts, United States]]
[[Category:United States Research Strategies]]
[[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]]

Latest revision as of 17:22, 20 February 2025

Massachusetts Wiki Topics
Massachusetts flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Massachusetts Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page

The Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Massachusetts. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.

Massachusetts Research Strategies

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Massachusetts:

Finding Massachusetts Birth, Marriage or Death Records

Finding Massachusetts Records

Massachusetts Statewide Databases

Massachusetts Research Process

Massachusetts Research Tips

These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts:

Birth and Death information:

  • Statewide registration: Birth and Death records in Massachusetts on the state level start in 1841. General compliance date is unknown.[1]
  • Town Records: Town records included information about birth, marriage, and death before state registration in 1841. Town records can start as early as the 1630s or when the town was established.[2]
  • Access to records: See Massachusetts Vital Records for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Massachusetts.


Substitute Records:

  • Secondary source: Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
  • Accuracy: Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help verify information.
  • List of substitute records: See Massachusetts Substitute Records for more information.


Finding Parents:

  • Death records: Death records created in the town records or by the state starting in 1841 may include information about the parents. However, information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
  • Obituaries: Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See Massachusetts Newspapers and Massachusetts Obituaries for more information.
  • Church records: Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See Massachusetts Church Records for more information.


Census Records:

  • Check all census years: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See Massachusetts Census Records for more information.
  • Clues to other records: There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
  • Finding families: Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.

Further Massachusetts Research

References

  1. ↑ Massachusetts Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1997, 30-33. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo
  2. ↑ Massachusetts Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1997, 30-33. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo
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