Marrriages, births and death were usually recorded in the city or town they took place in. I found mine in the town records book. Only one book for the town of Washinngton MA survived and it was the one I wanted. I learned the hard way while researching in person there. Just finding the town is sometimes a chore. Plus the fact that many people kept the record in the homes etc. The will and land records are kept in the court houses. Maybe this will help some people in their search. Frances ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Hedeen" <chantillycarpets@earthlink.net> To: <MAWORCES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, October 25, 2002 12:00 AM Subject: RE: [MAWORCES] Re: Vital records in Massachusetts > This is not always successful, although a good place to start. I have > ancestors who were married, resided, and died (at least one of them) in > Mendon. The town clerk had none of these records--not the marriage, the > probates, the will, and needless to say, none of the births of children > born in Mendon. This time span was 1725--1755. The more I attempted to > get information out of Mendon, the nastier the clerk became. I asked for > help from others--some on this list and some from other lists. The > marriage was found in the Boston marriages despite the Mendon intentions; > the will and guardianship probates were found in Worcester (not certain if > County or Town), and the Mendon births thus far have not been found. I did > obtain photo copies of the original documents of the will and probates, and > Mendon is listed throughout as being place of residence. So, I have > learned that even though MA can be a treasure trove of information, that > stands as true only if you can find it. > > > > [Original Message] > > From: John Bower <jwb@c4.net> > > To: <MAWORCES-L@rootsweb.com> > > Date: 10/25/02 3:45:18 PM > > Subject: [MAWORCES] Re: Vital records in Massachusetts > > > > Hi Group, > > > > I have seen questions about where to obtain vital records from > > Massachusetts. Here is a quick summary: > > > > 1. Before 1841, write to the Town Clerk. Look up the address of the > > town you are interested in on the Internet. > > > > 2. 1841-1910, write to Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, > > 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. Estimate the date of > > the birth, marriage or death in Massachusetts as near as you can. > > > > If they find the person, they will send you the book (year), vol, and > > page no. > > > > Then, you write and ask for a certified copy ($3.00), or a photocopy > > of the record ($.50). (Current fees.) > > > > You may also write to the town clerk for this at a higher cost, but if > > you are not sure of the town, the Mass Archives is the best bet. > > > > 3. After 1910, town clerks. Or, Registry of Vital Statistics, 150 Mt. > > Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. > > > > You can look them up on the Internet to get their fees (about > > $15.00). They want the fee in advance, whether or not they find > > anything. > > > > Good luck! > > > > > > ==== MAWORCES Mailing List ==== > > To UNsub go here: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/usa/MA/worcester.html > > > > --- Susan Hedeen > --- chantillycarpets@earthlink.net > --- EarthLink: It's your Internet. > > > > ==== MAWORCES Mailing List ==== > Need to UNsub for vacation or summer?? > Forget How to UN sub??? > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/usa/MA/worcester.html > >