Introduction to Colonial Era Vital Records
Colonial Massachusetts vital records, spanning 1635 to 1840, offer a rare glimpse into the lives of early New England settlers and descendants. These records, which include births, marriages, and deaths, are excellent resources for genealogists, historians, and anyone interested in researching their ancestors in early America.
"During this time, record-keeping was mostly the duty of town clerks, resulting in a decentralized system with varying quality and uniformity among towns."
Despite these limitations, these documents provide detailed information about individuals and families, social norms, and the formation of early American towns.
Historical Context of Record Keeping
The history of Massachusetts vital records reflects the evolution of governance and record-keeping practices in colonial America.
Early settlements established, with informal record-keeping by religious leaders.
Massachusetts Bay Colony mandates that town clerks record all births, marriages, and deaths.
Plymouth Colony merges with Massachusetts Bay Colony, extending record-keeping practices.
Improved literacy and standardization lead to more detailed and consistent records.
Gradual shift towards more secular record-keeping as church and state roles separate.
Types of Records Available
Colonial vital records provide key information about individuals and families from Massachusetts' earliest settlements.
Birth Records
Colonial birth records typically include:
- Child's name
- Date of birth
- Parents' names
- Sometimes: place of birth, father's occupation
Marriage Records
Marriage records often provide:
- Names of bride and groom
- Date of marriage
- Names of parents (more common in later records)
- Sometimes: ages, residences, occupations
Death Records
Death records from this period may include:
- Name of deceased
- Date of death
- Age at death
- Sometimes: cause of death, parents' names, spouse's name
How to Access Colonial Vital Records
There are multiple ways to access vital records from 1635-1840, including in-person visits and digital resources.
Town or City Clerk's Offices
Cities and towns are the primary source for original records. Many communities have digitized their earlier vital records and they are free and online. This should be your first step.
Determine if the town or city you're interested in has digitized their records.
Massachusetts Archives
- Contains microfilm copies of numerous town records
- Allows access to other colonial documents that might enhance vital records
- Located in Boston, provides both in-person and mail-in research services
- Many holdings have been scanned and made available for free via FamilySearch.org
Libraries and Historical Societies
Often have transcriptions or published collections of vital records. May contain unique local history materials that supplement vital records.
Examples: New England Historic Genealogical Society's church record collections and American Antiquarian Society for their acclaimed Massachusetts newspaper collection.
An Example of Digitized Massachusetts Vital Records Book
Research Tips for Colonial Records
Follow these important tips for successful research of Massachusetts vital records from this period.
Research Strategies
Important Resources
- Visit the Library of Congress guide to colonial handwriting to improve your ability to read old records
- Check land deeds and probate records to gain a more complete picture of your ancestors
- Consult our Massachusetts cemetery guide, which includes links to Find a Grave®
- Remember that birth, marriage, and death information might also be found in church records when civil records are incomplete
Free Online Resources for Colonial Era Vital Records
Several online databases offer access to indexes or images of Massachusetts vital records from this period.
Major Digital Collections
- FamilySearch - Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001: Index and images.
- Family Search - Massachusetts Town Records, ca. 1638-1961: Index and images to various town vital records from the following counties: Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester.
Internet Archive Collections
A number of towns have contributed their "early records" to the Internet Archive - a free service that allows users to read or download entire books. A short search of their holdings revealed that these 25 towns or cities have records (abstracts) dating back to 1850 online. The list is random, and there are many other towns.
Conclusion
Colonial Massachusetts vital records are rich sources of historical and genealogical information. While they present unique challenges, the rewards of researching these records are immeasurable for understanding our early American ancestors.
Continue Your Research
Looking for records after 1840? Check our Massachusetts Vital Records (1841-1930) Guide for information on early statewide registration.
About the Author
J. James Simonson, a graduate of Suffolk University's Journalism and Marketing Communications program, with a minor in Local History, has been instrumental in genealogy research since the early 1990s. Known for his expertise in Massachusetts vital records, he has helped many piece together intricate family histories and is passionate about assisting individuals in discovering their ancestral narratives.