Massachusetts Family History Societies

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This section lists societies of Massachusetts, giving details about each one and what resources and publications they offer.

Statewide and Regional Societies

County Societies

Statewide Societies

Berkshire Family History Association

The organisation was organised in 1975. Many publications are available for sale, which include many publications relating to towns in Berkshire County, Cemetery Records and some books relating to Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York State, Rhode Island, Vermont. 

Numerous Genealogical and Historical books are sold by the organisation, including some relating to the United States and Canada and further afield, such as England and Wales. 

They also sell back issues of their publication, the Berkshire Genealogist, along with an index of persons mentioned.

Website:
http://www.berkshirefamilyhistory.org/

Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society

Members have transcribed tombstones from some cemeteries, which include Ashby, Ashburnham, Baldwinville and Templeton, Hubbardston, Westminster, Phillipston and Royalston – South Royalston and these are available to purchase from the association.

Website:
http://www.cmgso.org

Massachusetts Historical Society

The association was established in 1791. Numerous resources are accessible in their library located at 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215-3695, and it is possible to search this collection using their on-line catalogue. 

The papers of John Adams and John Quincy Adams along with the largest collection of the private papers of Thomas Jefferson are held by the society.

In addition they hold letters written by US Presidents from George Washington to George H W Bush. 

Many publications are available for sale, including:

  • The Battle of Bunker Hill
  • Declarations of Independence
  • We Fight For Freedom

Many books are published by the society, more details of which can be accessed on their site. 

The Adams Papers Editorial Project is hosted by the society.

Website:
http://www.masshist.org

New England Historic Genealogical Society

Many resources are accessible in their Library located at 99 Newbury Street, Boston. 

Numerous databases are also accessible, which incorporate:

  • 19th Century US Newspapers
  • African American Biographical Database
  • Historical Boston Globe 1872-1979

It is also possible to peruse an overview of the collections held at the Library on the site, which include Genealogical Journals and Periodicals,  Published Genealogies, Rare Books  and Local Histories and Records.  An on-line catalogue of resources is also available.

Research has been published by the organisation:

  • American Ancestors
  • American Ancestors Journal
  • Compiled Genealogies
  • Family Histories
  • Great Migration Study Project – a Study of New England Immigrants 1620-1640
  • The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, their respected quarterly publication
  • Source Record Compilations

Many differing resources are sold in their on-line store, more details of which can be found on their site.

Discussion Boards are also on the site, where you can contact like-minded people.  There are some sections in this Board that relate to England and Wales.

Website:
http://www.americanancestors.org/index.aspx

County Societies

Bedford Historical Society

The society was founded in 1893, sharing and collecting the stories of Bedford’s history and residents.  Their collection includes many artefacts, memorabilia and photographs.  Some documents in their collection date back to 1651, their photograph collection dating back to the mid-1800s.

Many books and collections are accessible, which incorporate:

  • Bedford Historical Society Records
  • Bedford History Resources
  • Books relating to Bedford County
  • Davis and Fitch Family Papers
  • Kidder and Rolf Family Papers
  • Lane Family Papers dating from the 1650s to the 1790s
  • Map Collections
  • Papers of Clara Bollard Blinn

Website: 
http://www.bedfordmahistory.org 

Beverly Historical Society

The association was established in 1891.  Many archives are accessible, which include Genealogical Material related to Beverly’s Earliest Settlers. 

They also have the Papers of William Bartlatt who was the First Naval Agent under General George Washington and Josiah Batchelder who was a member of the General Court, Provincial Congress and the first district surveyor and inspector of the port. 

In addition they hold other books, manuscripts, maps and photographs relating to the history of Beverly and the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Website: 
http://www.beverlyhistory.org 

Boylston Historical Society and Museum

Many records are held by the organisation, which include the genealogies of:

  • Ball
  • Bannister(Banister)
  • Hinds
  • Kendall Family
  • Temples

Their resources also incorporate:

  • Back Issues of their Newsletter
  • Boylston Births, Marriages and Deaths to 1850
  • Cemetery Transcriptions
  • Papers of George L Wright

Website: 
http://www.boylstonhistory.org 

Cape Cod Genealogical Society

The association was founded in 1971.  Many archives are accessible in the library, which include the Searchable Index of CCGS Bulletins 1975-2010. 

A large Book Collection is held by the organisation, which covers:

  • Biographies
  • Cemetery Records
  • Census Records
  • Histories of towns on Cape Cod and other areas of Massachusetts
  • Mayflower Families
  • Tax Lists

An on-line catalogue of these records is also available. 

Many publications are available for sale, including Cape Cod and Islands Genealogical Resources and Back Issues of their quarterly publication. 

A list of surnames currently being researched by Members is also available.

Website: 
http://www.capecodgenealogy.org/

Essex Society of Genealogists

The association was established in 1975 and was originally a chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, becoming an independent organisation in 1981. 

Numerous publications are available for sale, which incorporate:

  • Books relating to Essex Co. Research
  • Early Lynn Families including Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott
  • Essex County Cemetery Guide
  • History of Salem’s Church With the Lighted Steeple 1735-2007

This publication contains the types of records available and their locations for towns in the area.  Back issues of their publication, The Essex Genealogist, are also sold from 2008-2010.

Some publications are available through Willow Bend Books, including County Deeds 1639-1678 and Back Issues of their publication, The Essex Genealogist, on CD.

Website:
http://www.esog.org

Falmouth Genealogical Society

The association was established in 1985. 

The aims of the Society are to preserve and share family histories and to promote and encourage genealogical research amongst Barnstable County, MA residents, society members and anyone who has an interest in genealogy and family history.

Many archives can be accessed in Falmouth Public Library, among them CD-ROM’s, microfilms, microfiche and many books, some of which relate to England and Wales. 

A full list of these resources is available on the site, which incorporate: 

  • 1850 Census for Cape Cod
  • Abstracts of Wills
  • Burial in Woods Hole: 1788-1968
  • Census Indexes
  • Emigration Records
  • Falmouth Vital Records 1668-1892
  • Genealogies
  • Genealogical notes of Cape Cod Families
  • Pedigrees
  • Vital Records

They are in the process of transcribing Burials and Gravestones from Cemeteries in Falmouth, Births 1920-1924, Marriages 1870-1930 and Deaths 1870-1970.

Website: 
http://www.falgen.org 

Framingham Historical Society

heir aim is to preserve and share the history of Framingham.

Many archives are accessible in their History Centre, which include over 12000 artefacts, photographs and documents dating back to 1655.

Website: 
http://www.framinghamhistory.org 

Holliston Historical Society

The society was established in 1910, its aim being to preserve the history of Holliston.

Many archives are accessible in their library, located on the Second Floor of Asa Whiting House, which incorporate:

  • Books
  • Genealogy Records for Local Families
  • Holliston First Parish (Congregational Church) records
  • News Clippings
  • Old Maps
  • Old Newspapers
  • Pictures
  • Private Papers
  • Street Directories
  • Vital Records

There is also an on-line catalogue of these resources.

Website: 
http://www.hollistonhistoricalsociety.org 

Marblehead Museum and Historical Society

Numerous archives are held by the society, which include Personal Papers, Journals, over 10000 Photographs and Genealogical Materials. 

The journals of Ashley Bowen who was a Marblehead Sailor and Carpenter in the Eighteenth Century are also held by the organisation.

Website:
http://www.marbleheadmuseum.org/

Old Bridgewater Historical Society

The organisation was established in 1894.  Many publications are available for sale, which include books regarding the Descendants of:

  • William Brett
  • Jonathan Copeland
  • Edward Fobes
  • Thomas Hayward
  • John Howard
  • John Keith
  • Jonathan Kingman
  • Experience Mitchell
  • Robert Waterman

Publications available for sale also incorporate:

  • Copy of the Earliest Known Map of New England
  • Early Records of Pine Hill Cemetery
  • Family History/Genealogy of the Edson Family
  • Map of Old Bridgewater
  • Map of the Bridgewaters from 1975

Website: 
http://www.oldbridgewater.org 

Old Colony Historical Society

The Plymouth Colony was New England’s first British Settlement and is to what the Old Colony refers.  This Colony is now the Counties of Bristol, Barnstable and Plymouth.

The association was founded in 1853 and specialises in the city of Taunton and surrounding towns. 

Many archives can be accessed in the library, which include Genealogical information regarding families from South-eastern Massachusetts before 1850, over 700 volumes in their non-circulating Library and over 12000 images.

Numerous publications are available for sale, which incorporate:

  • A History of Taunton
  • Heirloom Genealogical Charts
  • Lincoln’s Other White House: The Untold Story of the Man and his Presidency
  • Wish You Were Here: A Picture Postcard History of Taunton

Website:
https://www.oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org/

Orleans Historical Society

The association was established in 1958, its aims being to preserve the heritage of Orleans and to make its history publicly available.

Their archives include:

  • Lectures and Presentations on DVD
  • Oral Histories
  • Orleans Cemetery Inventory which is a transcript of Burials and Gravestones
  • Photographs
  • Records regarding the War of 1812

Many books are sold by the society, which incorporate:

  • American Passage: The Communications Frontier in Early New England
  • Chatham, the Lifeboat Men
  • The Finest Hours: The True Story of U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue

Website:
http://www.orleanshistoricalsociety.org

Peabody Historical Society and Museum

The association was founded in 1896, and is dedicated to preserving, studying and enjoying the heritage of Peabody.  Many archives, covering over 300 years, are accessible in Ruth Hill Library and Archives, located in Osborne-Salata House, which include:

  • Directories
  • Genealogical Materials
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • Photographs
  • Vital Records

They also have a big collection of china, textiles, furniture and fine and decorative arts.

Website: 
http://www.peabodyhistorical.org 

Quincy Historical Society

The society was established in 1893 and is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of Quincy.  Their Museum can take you back over 400 years of America’s history. 

Many archives can be accessed in their Research and Reference Library, which include:

  • Audio and Moving-Image Recordings
  • Books
  • Images
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • Pamphlets

Their collections include Adams Family Ephemera, the Quincy Granite Industry, Quincy Shipbuilding and Genealogy.   Many other historical archives and artefacts are held by the society.

Guides available on the site include Residents, Immigrants and Heritage in Quincy and Quincy’s Historic Hancock Cemetery.

Website: 
http://quincyhistory.org/

Scituate County Historical Society

Their website includes a list of families residing in Scituate County during 1623-1640, which includes:

  • Joseph Checket
  • John Crocker
  • Richard Curtis
  • William Curtis
  • Samuel Jackson
  • George Lewis
  • John Lewis
  • Thomas Pryor
  • George Sutton

Many publications are available for sale, which incorporate:

  • Beauty, Strength, Speed: Celebrating 100 Years of Thomas W Lawson’s Dreamworld
  • Early Planters of Scituate
  • The Glades
  • Images of America: Scituate
  • The Life of Captain John Manson
  • Plymouth Colony to Plymouth County
  • Scituate 1636-1936
  • The Scituate Light Guidebook
  • Shipwrecks of Massachusetts Bay

Website:
http://www.scituatehistoricalsociety.org

Upton Historical Society

The association was established in 1968, its aims being to preserve records relating to the history of Upton and to make these publicly accessible through their library and museum.  They have many historic papers and artefacts.

Numerous resources appertaining to Upton and the surrounding area are accessible, which include:

  • Antique Clothing
  • Audio Recordings
  • Books
  • Business Records and Artefacts
  • GAR Records
  • Historical Objects
  • Industry Records and Artefacts

Resources also include:

  • Maps
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Organisation Records
  • Paintings
  • Photographs
  • Town Records
  • Video Recordings

A list of burials at First, Old North, Pine Grove, Lakeview and Maplewood Cemeteries is also available, along with links to other sites you may find of use.

Website:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mauhs/

Walpole (MA) Historical Society

The association was established on 23 May 1898, its aims being to collect and preserve books, memoirs and curiosities relating to the history of Walpole and to maintain a memorial building to preserve these collections.

The organisation has transcribed records from Cemeteries in Walpole.  These include the following cemeteries:

  • Guild
  • Maple Grove
  • North Sharon
  • Old Burial Ground
  • Plains
  • Rural
  • Small Family
  • Terrace Hill
  • West Sharon (Billings)

In addition, they hold information regarding Blake Private Burial Ground, Morse Private Burial Ground, Guild Burial Ground, Old Burial Place and Walpole Plains Cemetery. 

In addition, there is a list of photos and sketches of landmarks in Walpole and Vital Records of Walpole up to 1850.

Website:
http://www.walpolehistoricalsociety.org

Waltham Historical Society

The aims of the society are to collect and preserve documents relating to the history of Waltham, to collect and prepare genealogies of Waltham families, and to help preserve buildings and monuments of historic interest.

A large collection of archives are accessible, which include:

  • Directories
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • News Clippings
  • Photographs
  • Publications

Website:
http://whistsoc.waynemccarthy.com

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