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These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts. | These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts. | ||
*'''Birth information:''' Towns have been recording births in Massachusetts since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841. | *'''Birth information:''' Towns have been recording births in Massachusetts since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841.A helpful substitute record to find birth information is a death record. However, date and place of birth on a death record is considered secondary information, as it was not recorded at the time of the birth event. The birth information should be corroborated with other [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to improve accuracy. | ||
*'''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]] | *'''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]] | ||
*'''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]]. | *'''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]]. | ||
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