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Massachusetts Genealogy Guide (view source)
Revision as of 17:52, 21 December 2023
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The original state records are held by: | The original state records are held by: | ||
[ | [https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics '''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@mass.gov vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov]<br>They have limited research hours | ||
This office only makes certified copies of vital records. There are several ways to [ | This office only makes certified copies of vital records. There are several ways to [https://www.mass.gov/ordering-a-certificate purchase copies] both online and in person. This office also has the amended birth records after v. 69 (1920) 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 FamilySearch Library. These records are open to the public, with some restrictions on certain birth and marriage records. The original town copies are always open to the public.<br> | Every five years, another block of five years is transferred to the State Archives and at the same time is made available through the FamilySearch Library. These records are open to the public, with some restrictions on certain birth and marriage records. The original town copies are always open to the public.<br> | ||
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<center>'''Adoption Records''' </center> | <center>'''Adoption Records''' </center> | ||
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 [ | 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 [https://www.childwelfare.gov/search/?search=Adoption%20law 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. [https://www.mass.gov/apply-for-pre-adoption-birth-record Apply for pre-adoption birth record] at [https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics Registry of Vital Records and Statistics].<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 [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/202/new-england-historical-and-genealogical-register American Ancestors] by NEHGS ($).<br> | ||
<center>[[#top|Top of Page]] || [[#vr00|Top of VRs]]</center> | <center>[[#top|Top of Page]] || [[#vr00|Top of VRs]]</center> | ||
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<center>'''Bibliography''' </center> | <center>'''Bibliography''' </center> | ||
*John Ballard Blake, "The Early History of Vital Statistics in Massachusetts" in ''Bulletin of the History of Medicine'', 29 [1955]: 46-68.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33891126 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FS Library.<br> | *John Ballard Blake, "The Early History of Vital Statistics in Massachusetts" in ''Bulletin of the History of Medicine'', 29 [1955]: 46-68.<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33891126 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FS Library.<br> | ||
*Charles Cowley, "Judicial Falsifications of History" in the ''New England Magazine and Bay State | *Charles Cowley, "Judicial Falsifications of History" in the ''New England Magazine and Bay State Monthly'', May 1886.<br>Digital version at [http://www.newenglandmagazine.com/the-new-england-magazine/volume-1-no-5-march-1886/judicial-falsifications-of-history/ New England Magazine].<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9960792 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FS Library.<br> | ||
*David Cressy, "The Seasonality of Marriage in Old and New England" in ''Journal of Interdisciplinary History'', 16 [1985]: 1-21.<br>Digital version at [http://www.jstor.org/stable/204319 Jstor] ($).<br>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1799976 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; Not at FS Library.<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 FS Library.<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)]; {{FSC|1709250|item|disp=FS Library book 974.4 A3hr}} (Los Angeles and Logan only).<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)]; {{FSC|1709250|item|disp=FS Library book 974.4 A3hr}} (Los Angeles and Logan only).<br> | ||