Scope and Content: The state secretary (since 1961 through a unit currently called the Commissions Section) attests to all commissions of office signed by the governor, administering the oath of office to and/or recording the name of these and other public appointees. Resolves 1780, Oct Sess, c 58 authorized the governor and council to appoint persons empowered to administer oaths of office to public officials receiving commissions, called commissioners to qualify civil officers, dedimus justices, or, more recently, commissioners to qualify public officers. Series consists of a register, compiled probably in the early twentieth century, that serves as an index of commissioners to qualify civil officers. –Also included are sheets, 1822-1880 only, listing appointment date, name, municipality, and qualification date. Arranged in alphabetical sections, it is probably a draft of the register as it was compiled from original records. –For a listing of related series see: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Records of commissions, proclamations, pardons, and other official documents, 1713-1945 (bulk 1747-1936) ((M-Ar)161X)
Arrangement: Arranged by county, thereunder alphabetically by first letter of surname, and then chronologically
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