1: Research and Records
2: Archives and Libraries
3: Vital and Census Records
4: Church and Cemetery Records
5: Emigration and Immigration
6: Military Records
7: Probate, Land and Court
8: Maps and Gazetteers
9: Newspapers
10: Websites
11: Search Records
12: Get Help
Translation Tips
Music
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Goal 2: Learn about Massachusetts archives and libraries.
Choices
ALearn about Massachusetts archives and libraries.
Summary
- Explore statewide and regional collections.
- Explore books and photos that can be helpful in your research.
- Learn about Massachusetts archives and libraries in these articles.
FS—Wiki: Massachusetts Archives and Libraries
Massachusetts State Archives: Wonderful Local Sources for Genealogical Research - Learn about Massachusetts record repositories in this video.
AAC—Archives and Repositories—3:42 - Explore Massachusetts State Archives collection.
- Explore the
Books We Own site for Massachusetts genealogy publications. Volunteers may be available for lookup services. - Search for free online books on Massachusetts research on the FamilySearch site.
- Photos: Explore historical photo resources on the Ancestor Hunt site.
- County Histories: Explore county and town histories.
- * Good: Using the articles and videos in this Choice, write down key learnings for archives and libraries. Then use the learnings for searches for a U.S. ancestor.
- * Proficient: Same as above, for two or more ancestors.
BLearn about Massachusetts city directories.
Summary
- Explore city and county directories to find Massachusetts ancestors.
- Discover the different types of information in directories, such as streets, churches, historical info, etc.
- Learn about Massachusetts city directories in this FamilySearch Wiki article.
FS—Wiki: Massachusetts Directories - Sites: Explore Massachusetts city directories on the Ancestor Hunt site.
- Find out more about city directories in this research guide from Ancestry.
AC—Six Things to Find—3 pgs. - Learn about city directories for Boston and other locations.
Using Directories for Genealogy Research—2022 - Explore Massachusetts city directories on the Ancestry site.
- Explore massachusetts historical directories by county.
- Explore additional links for Massachusetts city directories on the LDSGenealogy site.
- * Good: Using the articles and videos in this Choice, write down key learnings for city and county records. Then use the learnings for searches for a U.S. ancestor.
- * Proficient: Same as above, for two or more ancestors.
QUIKLinks
- FS: Massachusetts Town Records, ca. 1638-1961 (More)
- FS: Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001 (More)
- AC: Massachusetts City Directories
- AC: Fall River, Massachusetts City Directories, 1889-91
- AC: Salem, Massachusetts Directories, 1888-89, 1890-91, 1893-94
- AC: Springfield, Massachusetts Directories, 1890-91
- eBook: Western Massachusetts, a History
- eBook: History of the Town of Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- eBook: Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Volume 1
Massachusetts Counties
Name = FamilySearch; A = Ancestry; L = Linkpendium; G = Genealogy Inc; U = USGenWeb; T = GenealogyTrails; F = Facebook
Get a printable map of counties.
Get an interactive map of counties.