Norfolk County Cemeteries: Eastern MA Records Guide

Norfolk County MA Cemetery Records: Eastern Massachusetts Guide

Includes Detailed Resources for Genealogical Research

An illustrated map of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, highlighting town and city names along with boundary lines.

Click to enlarge map

Norfolk County Cemetery Overview

100+

Historic Cemeteries

Cities & Towns

1793

County Established

1000s

Suburban Families

Research Guide Contents

Understanding Cemetery Research in Norfolk County

Cemetery research in Norfolk County offers unique opportunities due to the region's rich suburban history and proximity to Boston's metropolitan area. This comprehensive guide covers all essential aspects of genealogical research in Eastern Massachusetts' historic burial grounds.

About This Guide

Welcome to our detailed guide to Norfolk County, Massachusetts cemeteries. This invaluable resource provides:

100+ historical burial grounds - comprehensive listings with direct links
Sourced from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Coverage from small family plots to large memorial parks

Pro Tip: Norfolk County borders several Massachusetts counties. Consider also researching our guides for neighboring Bristol County, Middlesex County, and Suffolk County for comprehensive family histories.

Norfolk County's Suburban Heritage

Norfolk County, established in 1793, represents a unique blend of colonial and suburban history:

Colonial Roots

Towns like Dedham (1636) contain some of Massachusetts' oldest burial grounds and family plots

Suburban Growth

20th-century development in towns like Brookline and Wellesley created modern cemetery complexes

Transportation Hub

Railroad and trolley development brought diverse populations, reflected in varied cemetery traditions

Importance of Cemeteries in Genealogical Research

Cemeteries serve as a crucial resource for genealogical research, often holding important information like birth and death dates, family connections, and various biographical details. Headstones can provide insights into occupations, military service, membership in fraternal organizations, or even the causes of death. Additionally, cemetery records can enhance other genealogical resources, such as census data and vital records, aiding in the reconstruction of family histories and offering a fuller understanding of ancestors' lives.

Explore Thousands of Gravestone Inscriptions on Find a Grave® to enhance your research in Norfolk County cemeteries.

What Cemetery Records Can Reveal in Norfolk County:

Exact dates of birth and death
Family relationships and connections
Industrial occupations in Quincy granite quarries
Suburban community development patterns

Challenges of Genealogical Research in Cemeteries

While cemeteries can provide valuable genealogical information, researching in these places comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in Norfolk County:

Common Research Challenges:

Urban Development

Suburban expansion has relocated or obscured some historic cemeteries, particularly around Quincy and Brookline.

Incomplete Records

Early settlements like Dedham may have incomplete documentation due to age and historical events.

Stone Deterioration

Quincy granite headstones, while durable, may show weathering after centuries of New England winters.

Conducting Genealogical Research in Norfolk County Cemeteries

1. Planning Your Visit

Collect information about the person or family you are researching
Find out their birth and death dates
Look into any known cemetery plot details
Reach out to cemetery offices for records and visiting hours

2. Essential Tools for Cemetery Visits

Documentation Tools

Notebook and pen
Digital camera or smartphone
Cemetery map

Cleaning Supplies

Soft brush for cleaning headstones
Water and soft cloth
Small digging tools (trowel)

3. Documentation Best Practices

Photograph headstones and surrounding area for context
Record exact GPS location
Document names, dates, and epitaphs
Sketch layout of family plots

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a specific grave in Norfolk County?

You can locate a specific grave by using our alphabetical cemetery listings and clicking on the Find a Grave® links. This will allow you to search for individuals within each cemetery.

Are all Norfolk County cemeteries included in this guide?

Our guide is quite comprehensive, featuring 100+ cemeteries, but it may not cover every burial ground in Norfolk County. We are committed to continuously updating our information.

What tools are essential for cemetery visits in Norfolk County?

Essential tools include: a notebook and pen, digital camera, cemetery map, soft brush for cleaning headstones, water with soft cloth, and small digging tools for uncovering buried headstones.

What online databases are useful for researching Norfolk County cemeteries?

Two very helpful databases are the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Find a Grave®. These resources offer details on cemetery locations and specific burial records.

Essential Research Tools for Norfolk County Cemeteries

Two particularly helpful databases are the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Find a Grave®.

Best Practices:

Begin with broad searches and then gradually refine your criteria
Use wildcard characters (*) to accommodate spelling variations
Cross-check information with other sources to ensure accuracy
Search for additional family members who may be buried in the same cemetery

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a comprehensive database that catalogs place names across the United States, including historical sites like cemeteries.

This database is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is used by government agencies, businesses, and individuals for various applications including genealogical research.

Find a Grave® is a platform that offers users a virtual cemetery experience. Established in 1995 by Jim Tipton, it was acquired by Ancestry.com in 2013.

The site features over 200 million grave records worldwide, complete with photographs, biographical details, and interactive maps. Key features include:

Ability to request grave photos
Volunteer opportunities to take and upload gravestone photos
Forum for discussions on cemetery research and preservation
Free to use and depends on user contributions

Genealogists find transcriptions of cemetery headstones particularly useful, especially when the original stones are missing or hard to read. For Norfolk County, several resources are available:

The Norfolk County Historical Society maintains burial records
Local historical societies in Dedham, Quincy, and Brookline preserve records
Many transcriptions document the region's diverse ethnic communities

Beyond published works, many genealogical societies and organizations have taken on the task of transcribing local cemeteries, with many of these transcriptions available online or in local archives.

Cemeteries typically maintain detailed records that can be incredibly useful for genealogical research. These records may consist of plot maps, the names of original owners, their addresses, and the dates of purchase, as well as burial registers that document the names and dates of individuals interred in a plot.

Additionally, other documents can aid in finding gravesites and gathering biographical information. You can easily access this information by reaching out to the cemetery's business office.