This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you
should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me
and I will update the file.
 
Bill Green         bgreen@milo.nodak.edu     bill90@Delphi.Com
 
Date of last update: 4 November 1993
 
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  GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF MASSACHUSETTS
                       4 March 1989
                      Robert McLaren
                    7810 Kincardine Ct.
                 Alexandria, VA 22310-4025
 
The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical
societies in Massachusetts.  Included in the listing, where known, are
telephone numbers and yearly dues.  This listing is donated to the public
domain and may be freely copied.  Under no conditions can this listing be
sold or used in any other commercial fashion.  If you think this list has any
value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or
the National Genealogical Society).
 
If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember
to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE).  Many of these societies
work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to
respond unless a SASE is included in your letter.
 
     Massachusetts Historical Society
     1154 Boylston Street
     Boston, MA 02215
       Dues:
 
     Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 206
     Forest Park Station
     Springfield, MA 01108
       Dues:
 
Barnstable County
 
     Harwich Historical Society
     P.O. Box 17
     Harwich, MA 02645
       Dues:
 
     Eastham Historical Society
     P.O. Box 8
     Eastham, MA 02642
       Dues:
 
Berkshire County
 
     Berkshire County Historical Society
     Berkshire Athenaeum
     Historical and Genealogical Section
     1 Wendell Avenue
     Pittsfield, MA 01201
       Dues:
 
     Berkshire Family History Association, Inc.
     P.O. Box 1437
     Pittsfield, MA 01202-1437
       Dues:  $8.00 per year (single); $10.00 per year (family);
              $4.00 per year (student)
 
Bristol County
 
     Bristol County Genealogical and Historical Society
     Research Room
     Carpenter Museum
     Rehoboth, MA 01769
       Dues:
 
     Old Colony Historical Society
     66 Church Green
     Taunton, MA 02780
       Dues:
 
Essex County
 
     Danvers Historical Society
     Danvers, MA 01923
       Dues:
 
     Peabody Historical Society
     35 Washington Street
     Peabody, MA 01960
       Dues:
 
Hampshire County
 
     Hampshire County Historical Society
     Box 205
     Holyoke, MA 01041
       Dues:
 
Middlesex County
 
     Medford Historical Society
     10 Grovernors Avenue
     Medford, MA 02155
       Dues:
 
     Winchester Historical Society
     c/o Mrs. Robert Bairnsfather
     1 Copley Street
     Winchester, MA 01890
       Dues:
 
     Jewish Genealogical Society of Boston
     P.O. Box 620
     Belmont, MA 02178
       Dues:
 
Norfolk County
 
     Dedham Historical Society
     612 High Street
     Dedham, MA 02026
       Dues:
 
Plymouth County
 
     Plymouth County Genealogists
     c/o Virginia Palch
     P.O. Box 497
     Raynham Center, MA 02768
       Dues:  $5.00 per year (single); $7.00 per year (family)
 
     Scituate Historical Society
     Scituate, MA 02066
       Dues:
 
Suffolk County
 
     Jewish Genealogical Society of Boston
     P.O. Box 620
     Belmont, MA 02178
       Dues:
 
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                       VITAL RECORDS
 
Early Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
 
Early vital records were recorded by town clerks. Records of births,
marriages, and deaths to 1850 for about 215 towns have been published.
Although records of about 100 towns have not been published in book form,
many of these records have been published in periodicals, such as the
Mayflower Descendant.
 
State Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
 
Statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1841.
 
You can also obtain copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates, 1841
to 1890, by writing to:
 
          Massachusetts State Archives at Columbia Point
          220 Morrissey Boulevard
          Boston, MA 02125
 
For copies of birth, marriage, and death records from 1890 to the present
write to:
 
          Registrar of Vital Statistics
          150 Tremont Street
          Room B-3
          Boston, MA 02108
 
State your relationship to the individual you want information about and the
reason you want the information.
 
Divorce Records
 
>From 1738 to about 1888 divorce records could have been filed in the county
court governor's council records, superior court of judicature, or supreme
judicial court. After 1888 proceedings were usually filed at the county
probate court and superior court.
                                        (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
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                       STATE ARCHIVES
 
           Massachusetts State Archives at Columbia Point
           220 Morrissey Boulevard
           Boston, MA 02125
 
           Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc.
           P.O. Box 215
           Ashland, MA 01721
 
           Massachusetts Historical Society
           1154 Boylston Street
           Boston, MA 02215
 
           State Library of Massachusetts
           341 State House
           Boston, MA 02133
 
           New England Historic Genealogical Society
           101 Newbury Street
           Boston, MA 02116
 
           General Society of Mayflower Descendants
           P.O. Box 3297
           Plymouth, MA 02361
 
           Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants
           101 Newbury Street
           Boston, MA 02116
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
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                NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS
 
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*   Bill Green       Minot, North Dakota  58701  *       Home of the       *
*            bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu               *      NORSK H0STFEST     *
*              Bill90@Delphi.Com                 *        Velkommen!       *
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