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.  Certificates are the secretary’s copies of sworn oaths of office. Early records contain primarily form and sample certificates, arranged chronologically. From 1850 actual commission certificates, signed by the governor, are included for such appointments as pilot and commissioner of Indians. Also included are letters of appointment and resignation. Holdings also include certificates for Massachusetts commissioners in other states, 1844-1926 (as well as some from other states in Massachusetts), commissioners in other countries, 1857-1948, and supervisor of elections, 1901-1905. From 1935, certificates are primarily for justices of the peace and notaries public. From 1968 other offices are included, such as commissioners to qualify civil officers, state police, special state police, deputy sheriff, assistant (and special assistant) attorney general, district attorney, assistant (and special assistant) district attorney, and weigher and measurer of motor vehicles and trailers. –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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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. Register of civil commissions was created by the secretary to provide a chronological listing of nominations by county for civil officers including notaries public, justices of the peace, commissioners to qualify civil officers (from 1788-1824; for later see (M-Ar)183X), and clerks of court, with separate sections of justices and judges for the whole state. –For listings by office see:  Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Registers of civil officers classified 1855-1948 ((M-Ar)185X). For a listing of other 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 at vol. level chronologically by year span, thereunder by county, and then by date of nomination
Notes: Volumes for 1864-1866 lacking
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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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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.  In a related function, the secretary is responsible for issuing qualification certificates to nonresident clergy to perform marriages in Massachusetts pursuant to St 1926, c 102, as amended (MGLA c 207, s 39).  This register was created as the secretary’s record of such certificates issued.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Volume 1: 1929-1946. Volume 2: 1946-1963. Volume 3: 1963-1965
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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.  Having taken the oath of office, each official signs a certificate (see: Qualification certificates of appointed officials ((M-Ar)181)) and register of qualification. From 1858 to 1968 two separate sets of registers were maintained, one by the secretary (spines often marked secretary’s department) and another by the Council (spines marked executive). Executive registers were frequently signed by the governor as the qualifying officer. The two were combined in one volume (for Executive Dec 1968-May 1976, Jan 1979; and for the secretary Aug 1979-Feb 1980) after which it appears only the secretary volumes were maintained.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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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.  In a related function, the secretary must also be notified of the acceptance of, rejection of, or failure to act upon an act or resolve of the General Court requiring a vote by a municipality or corporation (St 1883, c 100, amended by St 1935, c 69).  Registers were created upon receipt of these: Returns of acceptance of local option statutes ((M-Ar)192).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Registers for 1926-1949 missing
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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.  In a related function, the secretary must also be notified of the acceptance of, rejection of, or failure to act upon an act or resolve of the General Court requiring a vote by a municipality or corporation (St 1883, c 100, amended by St 1935, c 69).  Returns, filed by municipal or corporate clerk, include totals and results of votes.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically in three sequences: 1876-1975, ca. 1976-ca. 1980, ca. 1981-1987; thereunder by municipality or corporation
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Scope and Content: The Boston Lunatic Hospital was established as a municipal agency in 1839; it was renamed Boston Insane Hospital in 1897.  It was made a Massachusetts state agency under the name Boston State Hospital in 1908 and closed in 1981.
Arrangement: Arranged by inpatient registration no. (chronologically assigned)
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Scope and Content: The State Reform School was founded in 1847 and opened in 1848 at Westborough for the instruction, discipline, employment, and reform of male juvenile offenders in Massachusetts.  It was renamed the Lyman School for Boys in 1884 and closed in 1972.  Register gathered background information on each inmate upon commitment.
Arrangement: Arranged by case no./chronologically
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982
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Scope and Content: The Nautical Branch of the State Reform School, known as the Massachusetts Nautical School from 1867, was authorized in 1859 and in operation in Boston and later New Bedford between 1860 and 1872.  Delinquent boys were instructed in seamanship and navigation, and if successful, transferred to outside shipping. Register documents students’ background, commitment to, and discharge from the institution.
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982
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