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Massachusetts Archives

CHC

Office of the Secretary of State: Transcripts of town vital records prior to 1850

Part of: Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of State

Transcripts of town vital records prior to 1850, [16--]-1849.

192 volumes
Call no.: SC1/124X

Scope and Content: Authorized by a Nov. 6, 1901 vote of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Eddy Town Record Fund was established from the bequest of Robert Henry Eddy to publish the vital records of Massachusetts.  In 1902 the legislature authorized the state secretary to purchase copies of these published volumes with the stipulation that the mss. become the property of the Commonwealth and be deposited with the secretary’s office (St 1902, c 470).  Copies purchased by the secretary were distributed to each public library, historical society, college, and registry of deeds in the Commonwealth; and each state or territorial library in the United States.  Series mss. are bound transcripts of vital records copied in each town from sources such as vital records registers; records of marriages returned to town clerks; published birth, death, and marriage notices; and records from clergy of marriages performed. –Information includes individual’s name; names of parents and spouse; and dates of birth or baptism, death, and marriage or intent to marry.  Birth records often group births by family and may include additional information concerning family relationships.  Death records include cause and date of death and may include location of cemetery.  Source of information is also noted in some entries.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by municipality
Notes: Collated: 1902-1932
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