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| link1=[[United States Genealogy| | | link1=[[Massachusetts, United States Genealogy|Massachusetts]] | ||
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=== Massachusetts Research Strategies === | === Massachusetts Research Strategies === | ||
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Massachusetts:<br> | |||
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===Finding Massachusetts Birth, Marriage or Death Records=== | |||
*[[GuidedResearch:Massachusetts|Finding Massachusetts Births, Marriages, and Deaths using Guided Research]] | |||
===Finding Massachusetts Records=== | |||
*[[Massachusetts Record Finder]] | |||
===Massachusetts Statewide Databases=== | |||
*[[Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records|Massachusetts Online Genealogy Records]] | |||
===Massachusetts Research Process=== | |||
*[[Step-by-Step Massachusetts Research, 1880-Present]] | |||
*[[Step-by-Step Massachusetts Research, 1850-1910]] | |||
*[[Massachusetts Descendancy Research]] | |||
*[[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts Genealogy Guide]] | |||
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Birth Records|How to Find Birth Records]] | |||
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records|How to Find Marriage Records]] | |||
*[[How to Find Massachusetts Death Records|How to Find Death Records]] | |||
*[[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts Genealogy Guide]] | *[[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts Genealogy Guide]] | ||
=== Massachusetts Research Tips === | === Massachusetts Research Tips === | ||
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts:<br> | |||
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Massachusetts. | <br> | ||
'''Birth and Death information:'''<br> | |||
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*'''''Statewide registration:''''' The state began registering births and deaths in 1919, with full compliance by 1928. | |||
*'''''Local regististration:''''' Some cities recorded birth and death records as early as 1887, although registration was inconsistent. | |||
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Massachusetts Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Massachusetts. | |||
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'''Substitute Records:''' | |||
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*'''''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 varify information. | |||
*'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Massachusetts Substitute Records|Massachusetts Substitute Records]] for more information. | |||
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'''Finding Parents:''' | |||
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*'''''Death records:''''' Death records created by the state starting in 1919 required information on parents of the deceased. 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 denominiation of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Massachusetts Church Records]] for more information. | |||
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'''Census Records:''' | |||
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*'''''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. | |||
*'''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. | *'''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. | ||
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*'''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]]. | ||
=== 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 | |||
[[Category:Massachusetts, United States]] | [[Category:Massachusetts, United States]] | ||
[[Category:United States Research Strategies]] | [[Category:United States Research Strategies]] | ||
[[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]] | [[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]] | ||
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