Massachusetts death records are a cornerstone for genealogical research, reflecting the state's central role in American history. Vital records have been documented extensively since colonial times, with town clerks maintaining death records as early as the 1600s. Statewide registration officially began in 1841, standardizing record-keeping and enhancing accessibility.
These records typically include information such as names of relatives, birthplaces, and causes of death. Earlier gaps can be supplemented with church registers, gravestone inscriptions, and probate files. Massachusetts's rich history, from its role in early European settlement and the American Revolution to its industrial growth and immigration waves, makes these records particularly valuable. They help uncover family connections and provide context for understanding the state's historical and cultural development.
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Birth, Marriage & Death
Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
- United States, Massachusetts, Death Index, 1840-1910 2,277,752 records
- Massachusetts, Suffolk, Boston Deaths 701,062 records
- Massachusetts, Boston Obituaries 242,733 records
- Massachusetts Deaths, 1916-1919 213,475 records
- Massachusetts, Worcester, Worcester Deaths 169,637 records
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