Massachusetts (MA) Genealogy Search

Related Searches:

Massachusetts Genealogy Databases

• New England Irish Pioneers
• Salem Witches
• 1880 Census Transcription
• American Biographical Library
• Biographical Cyclopedia of U.S. Women
• WWI Civilian Draft Registrations

Massachusetts Genealogy Databases Searches

Getting started searching for a Massachusetts Ancestor:

1. Begin by recording what you know about your family tree. Start with yourself, and enter as much information as you know. You can build a FREE Family Tree Online You can also find free genealogy software and printable family trees at Genealogy Freebies to help record your information.
   
   
2. Vital records — birth, marriage and divorce, and death — are the foundations of genealogical research. Genealogy records at Ancestry.com will also provide additional clues.
   
   
3. Write to:
   
   Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
   470 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor
   Boston, MA 02210-2224
   (617) 753-8600 Birth, Marriage or Death certificates (since 1906) In person: $6.00, Mail request: $11.00 State Archives: $3.00
   For earlier records, write to The Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816.
   Divorce: Index only since 1952
   
   
4. Use the Ancestor Search directory of hundreds of searchable genealogy databases that can help fill in the blanks on your family tree. Be aware that not all genealogy information is available online. If your names are not found in an online database, you may have to do some research offline. Try the
   
   
   
   Massachusetts Archives
   Reference Supervisor
   220 Morrissey Boulevard
   Boston, MA 02125
   Tel: 617-727-2816
   www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/arc
   
   
5. If you do not know much about an ancestor, you may need to do additional research on his or her children first. For example:
   • If you do not know when your ancestor was married, the birth date of the first child may give you the approximate time frame needed to search for the marriage records.
   • If you do not know where your ancestor lived, finding the birthplace of the children may provide a clue.

   
   
   

6. Collaborate with other genealogists researching the same families. You can search for them at the Maryland Surname List database.
   
   
7. Military records are an often overlooked source to obtain vital records. Learn how to send away to the National Archives for military service and pension records at Send to NARA for military records.
   
   
8. For additional help and detailed instructions for tracing ancestors, go to Learning Center

Other State Searches:
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | DC | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennseesse | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | All U.S States