Massachusetts Archives offers searchable indexes online

The Massachusetts Archives at 220 Morrissey Blvd. in Boston, holds the “official records created by Massachusetts state government.” You’ll find Massachusetts vital records 1841-1915, pre-1841 vital records, and indexes to 1916-1971 vital records; passenger lists; census schedules; military records; judicial records, including probate, naturalizations, name changes, and divorces; witch-hunt records and Lizzie Borden (1860-1927) trial documents; papers on Maine, Plymouth Colony records, and the Massachusetts Archives Collection 1630-1799, also known as the Felt Collection.

The Mass. Archives also provides online indexes to several collections that are worth checking, whether you visit the Archives in person or not.

Massachusetts Archives Collection Database (1629-1799)

Index to Passenger Manifests 1848-1891

Index to Vital Records 1841-1910 (the index often includes maiden names on later records)

Other Resources

FamilySearch has published Massachusetts birth, christening, marriage, death, and burial records online. The New England Historic Genealogical Society also offers the Massachusetts vital records (birth, marriage, death) online as part of its membership benefits.

If You Visit the Archives

If you visit the Massachusetts Archives, check out the Commonwealth Museum located in the same building as well as the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum, located across the parking lot.