Massachusetts Genealogy Search at a Glance
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1Massachusetts Genealogy
Massachusetts statewide genealogy links
- Massachusetts State Archiveswww.sec.state.ma.usResearch Family History at Massachusetts Archives
- Massachusetts Health and Human Services Registry of Vital Records and Statisticswww.mass.govObtain Vital Records Certificates
- Massachusetts Archives Searchable Collectionswww.sec.state.ma.usSearch the Massachusetts Archives Collection
- Massachusetts State Archives and Libraries Searchwww.sec.state.ma.usMassachusetts Archives and Libraries Search
- New England Ancestors, Historic Genealogical Societywww.americanancestors.orgSearch Historic Society Database
- Massachusetts State Library Genealogical Resourceswww.mass.govMassachusetts Library Genealogical Resources
- Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Projectsalem.lib.virginia.eduSalem Witch Trials Archive Records
- USGenWeb Archives Massachusettsmagenweb.bettysgenealogy.orgSearch Massachusetts GenWeb Archives
- National Archives at Boston Genealogy Resourceswww.archives.govMassachusetts Genealogy Research at the National Archives
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Massachusetts's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Massachusetts state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The federal government's primary archive. Holds the U.S. census (1790, 1950), ship passenger lists, naturalization records, military service files, and land entry files.
https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (archives.gov)
Free online genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Digitized microfilm copies of many county and state records worldwide.
https://www.familysearch.org/ (familysearch.org)
The LoC's research guides, city directories, newspapers, and Civil War records, most accessible free online through loc.gov.
https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy (loc.gov)
Massachusetts Genealogy Search, FAQ
Is the 1950 census released?
Yes. Under the 72-year rule, the 1950 U.S. Census was released by NARA on April 1, 2022 and is free to search on archives.gov and familysearch.org.
How do I request a military service record?
NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis holds military service records. Requests use SF-180 and are free for the veteran or next of kin.
Do I need a paid subscription to do genealogy?
No. FamilySearch, Archives.gov, the Library of Congress, and most state archives provide substantial free access. Commercial services (Ancestry, MyHeritage) add convenience and private trees but not exclusive records.
Where are vital records for the 1800s kept?
Before state-level vital registration (roughly 1890, 1920 depending on state), most births, deaths, and marriages were recorded only by the county, the church, or the family Bible. State archives and FamilySearch are the primary starting points for that era.