Early Massachusetts vital records
These resources are devoted to early births, marriages and deaths in Massachusetts towns. Click here to see all Massachusetts genealogy resources.
These records are available thanks to Robert Henry Eddy's endowment to the New England Historical Genealogical Society. In 1901 $20,000 of the fund was set aside for the Eddy Town-Record Fund, for the purpose of publishing vital records from the towns of Massachusetts. The finished products are show here:
(Towns are listed alphabetically. This is a work in progress!)
A list of deaths in Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from 1753-1831, was printed in The American Genealogist Vol 17 Issue 4, p. 236-239. It is from the second book of the records of the first church in Marshfield, containing removals by death or dismission. "This is not a literal copy but the items are all here and the wording is followed fairly completely".
Probate estate files of Worcester County located at the Suffolk County Courthouse in Boston. The files are arranged by number then alphabetical by surname. The collection is being published as images become available.
The record of the town meetings, and abstract of births, marriages, and deaths in the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1887-1896
Athol, Worcester County, was established in 1762. Prior to that it was a plantation called Payquage. In 1783, a part was used to form Orange, Franklin County, and in 1786 another part was taken to form Gerry (Phillipston). Parts of Athol were annexed to Royalston in 1799 and 1803. In 1806 a part of Gerry was annexed and in 1816 a part of Orange was annexed. In 1829, some common lands were added. Parts of New Salem were annexed in 1830 and 1837. (Vital Records of Athol, Massachusetts to 1849, births, marriages, deaths)
Cambridge was called Newtowne from 1631 to 1638, when the name was changed to Cambridge. Lexington was formed from Cambridge in 1712. Part of Cambridge was annexed to Waltham in 1755. Parts of Charlestown were annexed to Cambridge in 1761 and 1802, and again in 1818 and 1820. Brighton was formed from Cambridge in 1816. In 1855 part of Watertown was annexed to Cambridge. (Vital Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts to 1850 (Births))
Chester, Hampden County, was a plantation called Murrayfield until 1765. Norwich was formed from part of Murrayfield in 1773 and more land was added in 1781. In 1783 the name was changed to Chester and part of it was used to form Middlefield, Hampshire County. In 1799 another part was taken to form Worthington, Hampshire County. In 1853 part was annexed to Norwich. (Vital Records of Chester, Massachusetts to 1850)
Conway, Franklin County, was formed from a part of Deerfield in 1767. It became a town in 1775 and in 1781 part of Shelburne was annexed. In 1785, part of Conway was annexed to Goshen, Hampshire County. In 1791 and 1811 parts of Deerfield were annexed again. In 1838 part of Conway was annexed to Buckland. (Vital Records of Conway, Massachusetts to 1850)
Danvers was a part of Salem at the time of its formation in 1632. It was referred to as "The Farms", until it was set off as Salem Village in 1671-2. In 1710, the southern portion became Peabody. In 1728, Middleton was formed from part of it. In 1752 the village and Middle parishes of Salem became Davers, incorporated in 1757. (Vital Records of Danvers, Massachusetts to 1850)
Dunstable was incorporated in 1673. Parts were taken to form Nottingham, New Hampshire, in 1733, and more was taken for Litchfield, N.H., in 1735. In 1741, much of Dunstable became Nashua, N.H., and in 1747 parts of Groton and Nottingham were annexed to it. In 1752 part was annexed to Groton, and in 1753, part of Groton was annexed back to Dunstable. In 1754, part of Nottingham was annexed to it. In 1755, part of Chelmsford was annexed to it. In 1789, Tyngsborogh was established from it. Parts of Groton were annexed to it again in 1793, 1796, and 1803. (Vital Records of Dunstable, Massachusetts to 1850)
The town of Gill was established in September, 1793, from a part of Greenfield, Hampshire County. It became a part of Franklin County in 1811. A part of Northfield was annexed to Gill in 1795. The Great Island was also annexed to Gill after April 1, 1805. (Vital Records of Gill, Massachusetts from 1764)
Gloucester was first used as a fishing camp as early as 1624 by the Dorchester Company but in 1639 the General Court declared it a fishing plantation called Cape Anne. It was called Gloucester as early as 1642. Part of Gloucester was used to form Rockport in 1840. (Vital Records of Gloucester, Massachusetts to 1850 (Births, part 1 of 2))
Gloucester was first used as a fishing camp as early as 1624 by the Dorchester Company but in 1639 the General Court declared it a fishing plantation called Cape Anne. It was called Gloucester as early as 1642. Part of Gloucester was used to form Rockport in 1840. (Vital Records of Gloucester, Massachusetts to 1850 (Births, part 2 of 2))
Ipswich was formed from common land called Agawam. In 1648 the village at the New Meadows was set off to Topsfield. In 1785, a part of Ipswich was annexed to Rowley and in 1793 a portion called The Hamlet was set off to Hamilton. In 1819, Chebacco parish was set off and established as Essex and in 1846 part of Ipswich was annexed to Boxford. (Vital Records of Ipswich, Massachusetts to 1850)
Lynn began as early as 1629 when settlers from Salem resettled on the Saugus river, calling it Saugus until 1637. Lynn was reduced in 1644 to form Reading, in 1782 to form Lynnfield, and in 1815 to form Saugus. Lynn was incorporated as a city in 1850. 9Vital Records of Lynn, Massachusetts to 1849 (Births))
Marlborough, Middlesex County, was established as a plantation in 1660. A tract of land called Agaganquamasset was annexed to it in 1716. The part called Chauncy was established as Westborough in 1717, and another part became Southborough in 1727. Another part was annexed to Berlin in 1784 and part of Framingham was annexed to Marlborough in 1791. Part of Marlborough was annexed to Northborough in 1807, and to Bolton in 1829. Finally, a part of Southborough was annexed in 1843. (Vital Records of Marlborough, Massachusetts to 1849)
New Salem was established as a district in 1753 and was made a town in 1775. In 1822 part of it was used to form Prescott. In 1824 part of Shutesbury was annexed to it. In 1830 part of it was annexed to Athol and in 1837, more went to Athol and some to Orange. (Vital Records of New Salem, Massachusetts to 1849)
Royalston was established from a tract called Royalshire in 1765. A portion was set off to Winchendon in 1780 and Orange, Franklin County, in 1783. A part of Gerry (afterwards Phillipston) was annexed to it in 1799 and parts of Athold were added in 1799 and again in 1803. (Vital Records of Royalston, Massachusetts to 1850)
The locality of Salem was originally called Naumkeag by the Indians, and was settled by colonists in 1628. In 1643, Enon was formed from a part of Salem called Enon. The town of Manchester was formed from a part of Salem called Jeffryes Creeke in 1645. Part of Salem was set off to Marblehead in 1649. In 1668, Beverly was formed from a part of Salem called Bass River. In 1728, part of Salem was used to form Middleton. In 1752, the part of Salem called Salem Village, was set apart as Danvers. In 1753, part of Salem was annexed to Beverly. In 1836, Salem was incorporated as a city. (Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to 1849 (Vol. 1))
The locality of Salem was originally called Naumkeag by the Indians, and was settled by colonists in 1628. In 1643, Enon was formed from a part of Salem called Enon. The town of Manchester was formed from a part of Salem called Jeffryes Creeke in 1645. Part of Salem was set off to Marblehead in 1649. In 1668, Beverly was formed from a part of Salem called Bass River. In 1728, part of Salem was used to form Middleton. In 1752, the part of Salem called Salem Village, was set apart as Danvers. In 1753, part of Salem was annexed to Beverly. In 1836, Salem was incorporated as a city. (Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to 1849 (Vol. 2))
The locality of Salem was originally called Naumkeag by the Indians, and was settled by colonists in 1628. In 1643, Enon was formed from a part of Salem called Enon. The town of Manchester was formed from a part of Salem called Jeffryes Creeke in 1645. Part of Salem was set off to Marblehead in 1649. In 1668, Beverly was formed from a part of Salem called Bass River. In 1728, part of Salem was used to form Middleton. In 1752, the part of Salem called Salem Village, was set apart as Danvers. In 1753, part of Salem was annexed to Beverly. In 1836, Salem was incorporated as a city. (Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to 1849 (Vol. 3))
West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, was established in 1774, from Stockbridge and was made a town in 1775. In 1793, more common land was annexed to West Stockbridge. In 1829, more land from Stockbridge was annexed. In 1847, Alfred was formed from a part of West Stockbridge. (Vital Records of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts to 1850)
Vital records of Abington, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Acton, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Andover, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Arlington, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Ashfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Attleborough, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Barre, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Bedford, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Bellingham, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Berlin, Massachusetts to the year 1899
Vital records of Beverly, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Bolton, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Boxborough, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Boxford, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Bradford, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. Note: Bradford is a village and former town, in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. Eastern Bradford is the current town of Groveland, while western Bradford was annexed by the city of Haverhill, and today consists of the part of Haverhill on the south bank of the Merrimack River. While its separate existence from Haverhill has been largely obscured, the names of many locations in the area still bear the Bradford name. [Wikipedia]
Vital records of Brimfield, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Burlington, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Carlisle, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Carver, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Charlemont, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Colrain, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Dover, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Dracut, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Dudley, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Framingham, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Georgetown, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Grafton, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Granville, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Greenfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Groton, Massachusetts, to the year 1849
Vital records of Hanson, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Harvard, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Haverhill, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Heath, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Holliston, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Hull, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Kingston, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Lawrence, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Lee, Massachusetts, 1777-1801 : from the records of the town Congregational Church and inscriptions in the early burial grounds, all the family birth records continued beyond 1801 given as fully as recorded ; containing also the baptisms and names of church members in the records of the Congregational Church from its organization in 1780 to 1801
Vital records of Lowell, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Manchester, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Mansfield, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Marlborough, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Medford, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Mendon, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Middleton, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Milford, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of New Ashford, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of New Bedford, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of New Braintree, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Newton, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Northborough, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
Vital records of Norton, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Scituate, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Topsfield, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Tyringham, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Wakefield, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Warren (formerly Western), Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Wayland, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of West Boylston, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of West Newbury, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of West Springfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850 - Vol 1 Births, Vol 2 Marriages & Deaths.
Vital records of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Westford, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Westport, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Weymouth, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Williamstown, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Winchendon, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of Windsor, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
Vital records of Worthington, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of Wrentham, Massachusetts to the year 1850
Vital records of the town of Halifax, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Vital records of the town of Truro, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
Worcester, births, marriages and deaths

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