Find Massachusetts Genealogy Records Online
Massachusetts genealogy records span nearly 400 years, from early colonial settlements to today. Birth, death, marriage, and land records are held at the state, county, and town levels across all 14 counties. You can search these records online through free and paid databases, order certified copies from the state, or visit local town clerk offices in person. Whether you are tracing family roots or need a specific vital record, this guide covers every major source for Massachusetts genealogy research and tells you exactly where to look.
Massachusetts Genealogy Records Overview
Where to Find Massachusetts Genealogy Records
Massachusetts has one of the most complete genealogy records systems in the country. Local towns began keeping vital records in 1639, nearly two decades after the Pilgrims first arrived. In 1841, the state created the first permanent statewide recording system in the nation. That makes Massachusetts a standout resource for anyone tracing American family history. Records are split across several agencies depending on the time period and what type of record you need.
The Massachusetts State Archives holds original manuscript vital records from 1841 to 1925. These cover births, marriages, and deaths recorded across the state. The archives are at 220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125. Call 617-727-2816 for help, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Certified copies cost $3 per copy in person. Mail requests require pre-payment. The archives does not send plain photocopies by mail except in rare cases. Digital images of many vital records are also available online through the archives website.
For records from 1926 to the present, the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) is your main source. The RVRS is located at 150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. Phone is 617-740-2600. The RVRS also holds a statewide index to divorces from 1952 forward, though the actual divorce case files are held at each county's Probate Court. Records at the RVRS are restricted to people with a direct connection to the person on the record.
Before 1841, vital records were kept at the local level by city and town clerks. Pre-1841 records are still held at the town level. Boston is a special case. The city did not report to the state system until around 1850. For pre-1850 Boston records, contact the Boston City Archives at 617-635-1199. Their reading room is at 201 Rivermoor St., West Roxbury, MA 02132.
The official state ordering page has step-by-step instructions for getting certified copies of birth, marriage, and death records online. You can order through the VitalChek system directly from that page.
Online orders for certified vital records ship within 7 to 10 business days. Expedited next-day service is available for an extra fee.
Search Massachusetts Genealogy Records Online
Free and subscription databases give you access to millions of Massachusetts genealogy records from home. FamilySearch is the largest free option. It has Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records from 1626 to 2001. You can also search the Massachusetts State Vital Records index for 1841 to 1920, plus collections for births, marriages, and deaths going back to the early 1600s. No fee is required for most searches at familysearch.org. The site has over 23 million names in its Massachusetts Town and Vital Records collection alone.
Ancestry.com carries one of the largest paid collections for Massachusetts genealogy research. Key collections include Massachusetts Town and Vital Records from 1620 to 1988, the Massachusetts Birth Index from 1840 to 1910, the Massachusetts Marriage Index from 1901 to 1955, and the Massachusetts Death Index from 1901 to 1980. Subscription access unlocks full document images. Many public libraries offer free access to Ancestry for cardholders.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society, also known as NEHGS or American Ancestors, runs a deep genealogy database at americanancestors.org. Their collections include Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850, the 1841 to 1910 vital records index with images, and a Soundex search for surname variations. Membership is required for full online access. Free in-person access is available at their library at 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston. Call 888-296-3447 for help with complex research requests.
American Ancestors is especially strong for early Massachusetts records. Their collections include probate file papers, church records, and regional databases not found in other services. A single-day pass is an option if you do not want a full membership. This service is worth checking for anyone researching families in the state before 1850.
The Library of Congress research guide for Massachusetts genealogy pulls together databases, special collections, and published vital records series in one place. It covers military records, immigration records, and county-level resources. This is a solid starting point for both new and experienced researchers.
The LOC guide is free to use and updated regularly. It links to state, county, and local collections that are not always easy to find on your own.
Massachusetts Land Records for Genealogy Research
Land records are a core part of genealogy research in Massachusetts. The free statewide land records portal at masslandrecords.com gives online access to recorded deeds and documents from all 14 county registries. Most registries have records going back to the 1600s. You can search by name, book and page number, document number, property address, or recorded date. The site covers both recorded land and registered Land Court documents.
Massachusetts uses a county-based Registry of Deeds system. Each county has at least one registry office. Some larger counties such as Middlesex, Bristol, Essex, and Berkshire have multiple district offices covering different towns. Land records show ownership history, mortgages, and boundary descriptions. For genealogy, they can confirm where an ancestor lived, what property they held, and who inherited after a death. Grantor and grantee indexes help you trace a family over time even without knowing exact dates.
Viewing records at MassLandRecords is free. Some registry offices charge a small fee to print or download document images. Check the specific registry page for printing instructions and costs.
Types of Genealogy Records Available in Massachusetts
Massachusetts genealogy records cover a wide range of document types. Birth records show the date, place, and parents' names. Marriage records include the names of both parties, the event date, and the town where the event was registered. Death records list the person's name, date and place of death, cause, and often the occupation and birthplace. All three types were kept at the town level before 1841 and at the state level from 1841 forward through the state vital records system established by law.
Probate records are another key source. Wills, estate inventories, guardianship papers, and court orders are held at each county's Probate and Family Court. Many older probate records are available online through FamilySearch and American Ancestors. These records often name children, siblings, spouses, and extended relatives who may not appear in vital records at all. Probate records can bridge major gaps when vital record entries are missing or incomplete.
Massachusetts vital records typically include:
- Full name of the person
- Date and place of the event
- Parents' names (for births)
- Spouse names and origins (for marriages)
- Age and birthplace (for deaths)
- Occupation where listed
- Town or city of residence
Older records can have gaps or partial entries. Pre-1841 records vary by town. Some towns have published vital records series dating back to the 1600s through the Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 systematic series. Check the LOC research guide to see which towns have published records for your time period. Many are available free through FamilySearch or through public libraries.
Ordering Fees for Massachusetts Genealogy Records
The cost to get a certified copy depends on where and how you order. In-person requests at the RVRS cost $20 per copy and are handled the same day. Mail requests to the RVRS cost $32 per copy and take about 30 business days to process. Online and phone orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy and $42 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Expedited service is available for an added fee and ships faster than the standard timeline.
The Massachusetts State Archives charges $3 per copy for in-person requests on records from 1841 to 1925. Mail requests require pre-payment. Town clerk offices set their own fees for local vital records. Most charge between $15 and $25 for certified copies. Additional copies ordered at the same time usually cost less. Call the clerk's office directly to confirm current fees before sending a mail request.
Note: Pre-1870 Boston birth records require an extra $10 research fee. Fees at the town clerk level vary by municipality. Contact the specific office to confirm before ordering.
Massachusetts Genealogy Records Law and Access
Massachusetts law governs who can access vital records and how they are kept. The core statute is Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 46, which covers the return and registry of births, marriages, and deaths. Under this chapter, town clerks must receive and record vital facts for events occurring in their towns. The law sets record-keeping requirements and determines who has the right to request copies.
Access to recent vital records is restricted. Birth, marriage, and death records less than 50 years old are generally limited to persons with a direct interest: the person named, a parent, spouse, child, grandparent, sibling, or legal representative. Records older than 50 years are more openly available. You will need to show valid ID and, in some cases, proof of relationship when submitting a request.
Adoption records have special rules. Under M.G.L. c. 46, Section 2B, adopted persons who are 18 or older can apply to inspect their original birth certificate from before the adoption. The state also runs a voluntary adoption contact registry under Section 31 of the same chapter. That information is kept confidential under the public records exemption in M.G.L. Chapter 66.
The Massachusetts Public Records Division handles complaints about denied records access under state law. If you believe records you requested should be public, you can contact this office for guidance on filing an appeal.
Massachusetts Genealogy Research Organizations
The New England Historic Genealogical Society is the main genealogy organization in Massachusetts. They offer research services, member databases, and a research library open to the public at 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston. Call 888-296-3447 or visit americanancestors.org. Staff can help with complex searches and difficult records. Their journal, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, has been published since 1847 and is one of the oldest genealogy journals in the country.
Town and city clerks are your first stop for local genealogy records in Massachusetts. Each of the 351 cities and towns in the state has a clerk's office that holds local vital records. For older towns, this can mean records going back hundreds of years. Many clerks accept mail and in-person requests. Some now offer online ordering through third-party systems. Call the clerk's office directly to confirm what they have and how to request it. Fees and procedures vary by town.
The Massachusetts State Archives reference room is open for in-person research Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Staff can help you navigate the collections and locate records. Written requests by mail are also accepted with pre-payment. The archives holds not only vital records but also colonial records, legislative records, and other historical state documents that can aid genealogy research.
Browse Massachusetts Genealogy Records by County
Each county in Massachusetts has its own Registry of Deeds and Probate Court that holds genealogy records. Select a county to find local deed search portals, probate records access, and contact information.
View All 14 Massachusetts Counties
Genealogy Records in Major Massachusetts Cities
City and town clerks hold local vital records across Massachusetts. Select a city below to find the clerk's contact info, local genealogy resources, and how to request records in that area.