HI, Brian, I am researching in the Chelsea, Boston area, too and wondered the same thing. This is more difficult to search than in other parts of New England. If you get help, let me know what you find. I have ancestors in Chelsea, Boston and Havehill, MA. My grgrandmother was said to be born next door to the Old North Church on Salem St. in Boston and after spending a day at the Mass. Archives, I found no record of her birth or marriage in the records. I, too, am wondering if they ever kept them in that area. Have lots of records of ancestors in NH. Anyone out there that knows any more about this? Thayer. California. sea-2pals@aol.com