Scope and Content: The Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety, originally operational during World War I, was resurrected by Gov. Leverett Saltonstall on Aug. 23, 1940 in anticipation of U.S. involvement in World War II. The committee was confirmed by Exec Order no. 1, Dec. 31, 1941, pursuant to St 1941, c 719, as an agency of the Executive Dept. The committee’s role was extended on Jan. 31, 1942 by St 1942, c 13, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was ultimately dissolved with the war’s end in May 1945. The committee was responsible for organizing, supervising, directing, and coordinating local committees on public safety in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. The committee carried out its duties through administrative divisions and nine regional zones, each with regional offices staffed with state employees as well as extensive volunteer involvement. The responsibilities of the local committees included management of air raid precautions and other civilian defense programs necessary to protect lives and property.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: The adjutant general of the Commonwealth, as executive administrator of the state’s Military Establishment, has been responsible for maintaining and reporting data concerning militia strength.  These rolls describe personnel of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia during the Spanish-American War period.  Prepared by unit commanders and by the Recruiting Service in Boston, they reflect the expansion of recruitment activity.
Arrangement: Arranged by military unit
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: The Inspection Dept. of the District Police was established in 1888.  It was divided into the Boiler Inspection Dept. and the Building Inspection Dept. in 1913.  The functions of these units were reunited in the Division of Inspection of the Dept. of Public Safety in 1919.
Restrictions: Some digitized/photographed originals are restricted. Access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: St 1919, c 350, ss 99-110 established the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Safety, including a Division of State Police, under the supervision and control of a commissioner. The state police performed the functions, throughout the Commonwealth, of the District Police Force, including the Detective Dept., and was at the command of the governor in suppressing riots and in preserving the peace (GL 1921, c 147, s 2). Per St 1991, c 412, the division formed part of the Dept. of State Police.
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: In connection with a robbery and murders committed Apr. 1920 in South Braintree, Massachusetts, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were indicted Sept. 1920 and prosecuted and convicted in 1921 in Norfolk Superior Court.  After reviews of the trial and conviction by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and by an advisory committee appointed by Gov. Alvan T. Fuller and denial of petitions by defense counsel in the U.S. Supreme Court, the sentence of execution originally imposed on Sacco and Vanzetti was carried out Aug. 23, 1927.
Restrictions: Boxes 1-2 (i.e. originals) are restricted. Access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
Notes: Transferred to Archives from State Police Headquarters, Feb. 6, 1997. Photocopied from: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives and Records Preservation. Reference files/Dept. of Public Safety Commonwealth vs. Sacco and Vanzetti. State Police files (v. 2). Location of originals unknown. Transferred to Archives from Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives and Records Preservation, Mar. 4, 1997.  Photocopies retained in its: Superior Court Dept. Norfolk and Plymouth Counties Commonwealth v. Sacco and Vanzetti. Reference files (folder 12)
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Arrangement: Arranged (chiefly alphabetically) by agency, thereunder chronologically by fiscal year
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Arrangement: Arranged by agency, thereunder chronologically
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: The Executive Office of Public Safety is responsible for fighting crime in Massachusetts and ensuring the safety of the state’s citizens.  Series is created to enable the office’s secretary to influence legislation affecting the agency.
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by brief year span, thereunder alphabetically by subject
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC

Scope and Content: Following the recommendation of the Continental Congress (Resolve of Oct 26, 1775) for prosecuting the Revolutionary War, the Massachusetts General Court appointed a committee of both houses to engage and fix out, on the colony’s own account and risk, ten vessels stocked with provisions, produce, and horses (but no other livestock) for export to the West Indies in exchange for the import of ammunition, sulphur, saltpeter, arms, and German steel (House Journal, Dec. 15-16, 1775).  Series was created to administer these exports on behalf of the colony.
Arrangement: Arranged by account
Notes: Presented to Archives by Francis Brinley, Jan. 13, 1861
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC