Massachusetts Websites

Massachusetts Archive

The Massachusetts Archives is the official repository for the permanent records of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Located in Boston and overseen by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it preserves and provides public access to more than 370 years of governmental, legal, and historical documents that define the state’s civic and cultural heritage.

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) is a division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health responsible for maintaining the Commonwealth’s official records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. It ensures accurate documentation, certification, and public access to vital events, serving as a cornerstone for public health data and legal identity verification.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library (BPL) is a major municipal and research library system in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1848, it was the first large free municipal library in the United States and remains one of the most significant public research institutions in the country.

Massachusetts Historical Society

The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is a nonprofit research and educational institution based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1791, it is the oldest historical society in the United States, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing resources that illuminate American history and culture. Its vast collections and public programs make it a cornerstone of historical scholarship and civic understanding.

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 is a comprehensive published record set documenting births, marriages, and deaths recorded in Massachusetts towns prior to 1850. It serves as a cornerstone resource for genealogical and historical research in New England, preserving transcriptions from early municipal and church records.

Massachusetts Land Records

Massachusetts Land Records refers to the statewide system of registries of deeds responsible for maintaining public records of property ownership, transfers, and encumbrances across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These registries ensure transparency, legal certainty, and accessibility for real estate transactions and title research.

Boston Globe Archive

The Boston Globe Archives are the historical newspaper archives associated with The Boston Globe, available primarily through an online partnership with Newspapers.com and library databases. They provide searchable access to full-page images and text of past issues for historical research, genealogy, and general reference.

Massachusetts Genealogical Council

The Massachusetts Genealogical Council (MGC) is a non-profit umbrella organization representing genealogists, historical societies, libraries, and individual researchers with interests in Massachusetts. Founded in 1980, it focuses on records preservation and on protecting and expanding public access to vital and other civil records important for genealogical research.

Massachusetts USGenWeb

The Massachusetts USGenWeb is a volunteer-driven online genealogy organization dedicated to providing free genealogical and historical resources related to the state of Massachusetts. It operates as part of the larger USGenWeb Project, a nationwide network supporting family history research through state- and county-based websites.