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? [edit | edit source] |
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Deaths before 1841[edit | edit source]
For deaths that occurred during this time period, try the following databases:
| Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| 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 death records for many, but not all Massachusetts towns. | |||
| 1795-1910 - Massachusetts Death and Burials at FamilySearch | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Index to death and burial records from the state of Massachusetts. | |||
| 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. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
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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.
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Deaths from 1841 thru 1920[edit | edit source]
Massachusetts was the first state to initiate statewide registration of vital records beginning in 1841. However, the city of Boston, which had kept records prior to this time, didn't start reporting their vital statistics to the state until about 1850. Records from 1841 to 1920 are housed at the Massachusetts Archives. Every five years, another block of five years is transferred from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to the Archives.
For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following databases:
| Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841-1920 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; Browse only collection. Includes deaths, 1916-1920 and amended vital records, 1841-1920 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841-1910 - Massachusetts Archives database | Free; Searchable index of Massachusetts birth, marriage, and death records. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library | Free at the Family History Library; Includes index, digital images, and amended vital records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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.
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Deaths from 1917 thru 1970[edit | edit source]
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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.
Deaths after 1970[edit | edit source]
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 | |||
Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records[edit | edit source]
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.
Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
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