Records
Vital Records
- MA Vital Records thru 1850 does not include Suffolk County. Keep in mind that prior to 1870 Brighton was part of Middlesex County.
- MA Vital Records 1841-1915 at the MA State Archives
Provides a list of record with volume and year. Guidelines for Mail, Phone, E-mail and Fax Requests. Information about resources for research can be requested in the following manners: -
Massachusetts Department of Vital Statistics 1906 - Current
150 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, MA 02125; phone (617) 740-2600 ; window hours Mon - Fri 8:45 - 4:45; research hours Mon - Fri 9 - 12 and 2:00 - 4:30 ($3 per hour fee); holds Massachusetts copies of vital records submitted by the towns (1906 - the present); divorce indexes (1952-present); indexes to statewide births, marriages, and deaths (1906 - present).
In person at
220 Morrissey Blvd.,
Boston MA 02125
By mail Massachusetts Archives,
220 Morrissey Blvd.,
Boston MA 02125
By e-mail archives@sec.state.ma.us
By fax 617-288-8429
Archives staff can do only brief research to answer questions based on information in Archives records. Please be as specific as possible about the issue you are interested in.
Queries are handled in the order received, and all responses will be sent by U.S. mail.
Please include your full name, mailing address, and telephone number on all requests. For further information please visit their website.
Census Records - US Federal
- National Archives, New England Region
Holdings include census schedules from 1790 to 1920 with indexes.
- Boston Public Library
Holdings include census schedules for all New England states from 1790 to 1920. Materials are located in the Microtext Department. - New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
Holdings include census schedules for all New England states from 1790 to 1920 with indexes as well as census schedules for states outside New England from 1790 to 1850.
Census Records & Massachusetts State Census (1855 & 1865)
- Massachusetts State Archives
Holdings include originals and microfilm copies of all extant returns. - New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
Holdings include published transcriptions of some Massachusetts State Censuses, not all towns completed.
Military Records
- Massachusetts Military Division History Research and Museum
44 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609; Stephen T. Seames, Archivist; phone (508) 797-0334 ; Hours Tues.- Fri. by appointment only (3 days to one week in advance); Email mrarchives@aol.com. Holdings include early militia records (1776-1820), Massachusetts militia period (1820-1840), pre-Civil War period (1840-1860), Civil War (1861-1865), Reconstruction period after Civil War (1866-1897), Spanish American War/Philippines Insurrection (1898-1917), World War I period (1917-1919) including World War I State Guard records, and National Guard records (1920-1940). - National Archives, New England Region
Holdings include World War I draft cards, Civil War Pension Index, Revolutionary War Pension and Service Records, Veteranís and Widows Special U.S. Census of 1890. - National Archives, Northeast Region
Holdings are same as above.
Passenger List Records
- National Archives, New England Region
Holdings include passenger arrival records for the port of Boston, New Bedford, Providence, RI, and other misc. ports (with indexes). - National Archives, Northeast Region
Holdings include Port of New York Passenger Arrival Records (1820-1897, with index; 1897-1957, indexes 1902-1943) and Boston. - Boston Public Library
Holdings include New York, Boston, and misc. other New England and U.S. ports. - Massachusetts State Archives
Holdings include Port of Boston passenger lists and indexes.
Cemeteries
- Evergreen Cemetery (617) 635-7359, 2060 Commonwealth Ave, Brighton, MA 02135. Run by the City of Boston Cemetery Department.