Scope and Content: The clerk of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts General Court, by authority of House rules, maintains an account of the actions taken by the House for each day of the legislative session.  Until 1983, in addition to a journal, the clerk kept an account arranged numerically by House bill no.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by legislative session
Notes: St 1939, c 508, s 3 (amending St 1844, c 153) places custody of the clerk’s files with the state secretary after the legislative year. No entries for 1940, 1942, 1944 (i.e., no regular legislative session). Entries for 1970, 1973, 1981 in 2 v. each
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Scope and Content: The Massachusetts state secretary, as keeper of public records, has received for filing specifications (or plans, if noted) for various state buildings
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1874, c 77, registers of probate of Massachusetts were to make a special return to the state secretary reporting the number of wills proved and the number of letters of administration granted for the period 1870-1874, and judges of probate court were to submit opinions concerning possible changes in the law regarding persons who died intestate.  Series consists of these returns in the form of letters.
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, box 57
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Scope and Content: Pursuant to St 1820, c 15, a constitutional convention was held in Boston from Nov. 1820 to Jan. 1821, after approval by the electorate.  Proceedings of the convention constitute an official journal of convention daily business as recorded by Benjamin Pollard, elected secretary.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series. Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, box 19
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Scope and Content: A convention of delegates from all New England states was called at Hartford by the Massachusetts General Court to discuss grievances stemming from dissatisfaction over the War of 1812 (Resolves 1814, c 85 and c 86), and met from Dec. 15, 1814 to Jan. 15, 1815.  The General Court approved the resolutions of the convention and called for the appointment of a commission to bring them to the attention of the federal government (Resolves 1814, c 107).  Before further action could be taken, news was received of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, subsequent ratification of which by the United States ended the war in Feb. 1815.  Proceedings of the convention consist of a journal (so-called on the flyleaf) of brief daily summaries variously signed, with a postscript attesting to the document’s authenticity signed by George Cabot, convention president, dated 1819 (for 1818?), and letters of transmittal from Cabot to the governor and the state secretary, dated 1818.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian for foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: The first U.S. Congress considered articles for amendment to the constitution submitted by several states along with their affirmative vote for ratification.  Twelve amendments relating to rights of individuals were accepted by Congress in Sept. 1789 and sent to state legislatures, approval by three-fourths of which would constitute ratification.  Series includes official copy of proposed amendments sent to Massachusetts by Congress and accompanying letter from George Washington to Governor John Hancock, Oct. 2, 1789.
Restrictions: Originals are restricted; access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  In 1987 Secretary Michael J. Connolly created a Public Affairs Division to develop and coordinate special civic educational programs, some in conjunction with other divisions of the secretary’s office, which are documented in this series.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by half-year, thereunder by subject/date
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census. The secretary also communicates concerns arising from these functions to the citizenry as appropriate. This series of public service announcements for radio and television broadcast as hosted by the secretary covers election-related topics such as voter registration and absentee ballots, also participation in the federal decennial census, and alertness to the possibilities of securities fraud. Communications are in a variety of audio and audiovisual formats, including sound discs, video discs, videotapes, and videocassettes. Most items exist in multiple copies and in a few cases in multiple formats. –Items in series emanate from the administration of Secretary William Francis Galvin. –For similar materials from the administration of Michael Joseph Connolly, see: Secretary’s publicity files, 1980-1994 ((M-Ar)2023)
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  Publications administering or publicizing these activities are issued by the secretary’s office and constituent divisions for intraoffice and public use, as preserved in this series.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by office holder, thereunder by subagency
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Scope and Content: The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ((M-Ar)29X) was adopted in 1780 (see: Massachusetts archives collection ((M-Ar)45X, v. 160, 276-277)), as the result of a constitutional convention convened in 1779 and 1780. It contained a provision (Const Pt 2, C 6, Art 10) providing for taking, in 1795, the sense of the people as to the expediency or necessity of revising the original instrument. But no such revision was deemed necessary at that time.
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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