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Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (322 collections) CHC

Commissions Section: Files of recess appointments

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Files of recess appointments, 1938-1979.

3 record center cartons, 1 document box
Call no.: SC8.02/187

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.  This series has been created as the secretary receives notification of the governor’s appointments to special commissions mandated by the General Court to conduct research while the legislature is in recess. –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 chronologically, thereunder by chapter number. –arranged chronologically, thereunder alphabetically by commission subject
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Commissions Section: Governor’s appointment nomination list book

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Governor’s appointment nomination list book, 1807-2005.

40 record center cartons
Call no.: SC8.02/179

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.  As part of this process the secretary maintains a chronological listing of gubernatorial nominations for offices such as justice of the peace, notary public, special state police, clerk of court, judge, and warehouseman. –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 chronologically
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment of city and town clerks

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment of city and town clerks, 1933-1985.

5 record center cartons
Call no.: SC8.02/1289

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.  Pursuant to St 1933, c 70 as amended (MGLA c 41, s 19A), the appropriate local official files with the state secretary a certificate of appointment or election of each city or town clerk, assistant clerk, or temporary clerk, creating this series.  The certificate includes a signed statement by the clerk that s/he has entered upon the duties of office. –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 chronologically, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment of county officials

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment of county officials, 1922-1985.

5 record center cartons and 13 document boxes
Call no.: SC8.02/180

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.  This series has been created as the secretary is notified of the administering of the oath of office to certain county officials by a justice or other appropriate officer as mandated by MGLA c 218, s 12; c 221, s 11, et seq. –Such county officials include clerks, assistant clerks, and temporary clerks of district courts; clerks for the Superior Court and the Supreme Judicial Court in Suffolk County; registers of deeds; assistant registers of probate; special sheriffs; county commissioners; and associate commissioners.  Notices of appointment include correspondence from the notifying official with name of county official elected or appointed, office, and date oath was administered.  It may also include a copy of the signed oath. –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: in two subseries: (1) Notices of county officials  (2) Notices of clerks and temporary clerks; –Files for 1950-1985 arranged within each subseries chronologically. –arranged chronologically, thereunder by county, and then by office
Notes: Some files formerly part of state secretary’s: Miscellaneous collection, box 93E
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment to area boards

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment to area boards, 1967-1995.

2 record center cartons
Call no.: SC8.02/1288

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.  This series has been created as the secretary is notified by the commissioner of mental health of appointments to community mental health and retardation area boards (St 1966, Ex Sess, c 735, s 1; amended by St 1986, c 599, s 8 (MGLA c 19, s 15) to community mental health area boards), and by the commissioner of social services of appointments to social services area boards (St 1978, c 552, s 10l as amended (MGLA c 18B, s 13)). –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 alphabetically by board type, thereunder chronologically. Arranged numerically by region
Notes: Social services board files through 1991 only; mental health board files for 1987 incomplete
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment to fire, water, and sewer districts

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment to fire, water, and sewer districts, 1965-1982.

1 record center carton
Call no.: SC8.02/1290

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.  Pursuant to St 1933, c 70 as amended (MGLA c 41, s 19A), the appropriate local official files with the state secretary a certificate of appointment or election of each clerk, assistant clerk, or temporary clerk of a fire, water, sewer, light, or improvement district. –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 chronologically, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment to housing authorities

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment to housing authorities, 1935-1987.

10 record center cartons, 1 document box
Call no.: SC8.02/1286

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.  This series has been created as the secretary receives certificates of appointment or election to municipal or regional housing authorities from municipal or county officials and, for the state appointee in each case, from the secretary of community affairs, pursuant to St 1946, c 574, as amended (MGLA c 121B, s 5) –Authorities are established to clear substandard areas; provide low-income housing; and preserve, restore, or relocate historical buildings.  Files may also include annual reports and bylaws. –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 chronologically in overlapping sequences, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment to redevelopment authorities

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment to redevelopment authorities, 1955-1987.

2 record center cartons, 1 document box
Call no.: SC8.02/1287

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.  This series has been created as the secretary receives certificates of appointment or election to municipal redevelopment authorities (established to engage in urban renewal projects) from municipal officials and, for the state appointee in each case, from the secretary of community affairs, pursuant to St 1952, c 617, s 4, as amended (MGLA 121B, s 5) –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 chronologically in overlapping sequences, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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Commissions Section: Notices of appointment to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of appointment to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, 1964-1982.

1 record center carton
Call no.: SC8.02/1194

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.  This series has been created as the secretary is notified of appointments by the governor, other state officials, and, for local representatives, by mayors, city or town managers, or boards of selectmen to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, pursuant to St 1963, c 668, as amended (MGLA c 40B, c 24). –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 chronologically, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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Commissions Section: Notices of miscellaneous appointments

Part of: Massachusetts Commissions Section

Notices of miscellaneous appointments, 1945-2012.

25 record center cartons
Call no.: SC8.02/1291

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.  This series has been created as the secretary receives notices of appointments to various temporary boards, commissions, authorities, bureaus, and corporations. –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) –See also: Council. Council files–subseries (2) –In conjunction with recent files, see closely related series: Massachusetts. Governor’s Personnel Office. Appointment files, 1800-2007 ((M-Ar)598)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically in two overlapping sequences, thereunder alphabetically by agency
Notes: 2nd sequence transferred from: Massachusetts. Governor’s Personnel Office. Administrative files ((M-Ar)612X). Most 1976-1978 files lacking; Jan.-Apr. 1995, 1996, 2008-2009 files lacking
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