How to Find Massachusetts Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Massachusetts Deaths

Massachusetts Towns have been recording deaths since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1841 1841 thru 1920 1921 thru present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1841

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases:

Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1600-1850 - At Massachusetts Vital Records Project	Free; Transcriptions and images of Massachusetts town vital records. Includes births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 150 Massachusetts towns.
	1620-1988 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Database and images of Massachusetts town records that include births, marriages, and deaths. The collection is comprised of records for over 260 Massachusetts towns.
	1620-1850 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Index to published town birth records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns.
	Early-1850 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library	Free at the Family History Library; Includes index and digital images of published town vital records.
Try 2nd:
	1620-1850 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, Obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Index to published town birth records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns.
	Early-1850 - use your American Ancestors subscription	$, Obtain a subscription to American Ancestors; Includes index and digital images to published town records
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Return to top: Choose another birth year

West Virginia did not exist at this time and was known as the state of Virginia. Before 1853, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.   Records that give death information: Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records Church Records Census Bible Records Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1853 thru 1916 1853 - Virginia law required counties to record deaths, although records are incomplete 1863 - West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia 1917 - West Virginia Statewide death registration began If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records. For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images Try 1st: 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website Try 2nd: 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1917 thru 1970 The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917. STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link. West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images Try 1st: 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website Try 2nd: 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image If you can't find the death record in the above databases, try the following: West Virginia Deaths Databases - Index Only Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: 1853-1973 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center 1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library Can't access Ancestry? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate PART A: You know the exact date of death If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From WV Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab). See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths after 1970 PART A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From WV Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death Try: Social Security Death Index (SSDI) 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent Or try: Order a 3 year search from WV Dept. of Health Office ($); Click on the death certificates tab to order a death certificate Don't want to order the death record? Search other records with death information Return to top: Choose another death year Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be: The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate The spouse of the person on the certificate The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate The sibling of the person on the certificate Funeral director Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death. If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year Related Wiki Articles Learn more about U.S. death records How to find U.S. birth records How to find U.S. marriage records How to Find U.S. death Records United States Record Selection Table U.S. Vital Records Overview United States Vital Records Locating United States Vital Records United States Birth Records United States Marriage Records

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