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 bill90@Delphi.Com billusps@aol.com Date of last update: 4 march 1995 ************************************************************************* 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: ************************************************************************** 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 : Registry of Vital Records Second Floor 470 Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02210-2224 New phone number: (617) 753-8600 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) ************************************************************************** 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) **************************************************************************** NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS ----- **************************************************************************** * Bill Green Minot, North Dakota 58701 * Home of the * * bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu * NORSK H0STFEST * * Bill90@Delphi.Com * Velkommen! * ****************************************************************************