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Library
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Where to Begin There are a variety of institutions-libraries, museums, and historical societies- throughout New England that own and house manuscripts and other research materials for the study of Massachusetts, New England, and American history. Researchers often will need to visit many different institutions to find all materials relevant to a topic. This guide provides an introduction to historical research at repositories other than the Massachusetts Historical Society. Genealogy/Family History New England Historic Genealogical Society 
For research advice on genealogy, one of the best resources is the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), the center for family history research in New England. The NEHGS library has very strong collections of published genealogies and New England local history. Visit the NEHGS website for more information. For a description of the research and photocopy services the NEHGS offers to those who are unable to visit Boston (or who choose to hire a member of their staff to conduct research), please review the Researcher Services section of their website.New England Historic Genealogical Society 101 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 536-5740 The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, a division of the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, holds vital records
(official birth, death and marriage records) for Massachusetts,
most post-1840. Researchers can find information about Massachusetts
vital records, including instructions for ordering copies, online at
the MASS.GOV website.The Massachusetts State Archives The Massachusetts State Archives holds important materials for genealogical research including passenger lists, census schedules, and military records. Additional information is available on the Archives website. Massachusetts State Archives 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816 The National Archives and Records Administration The National Archives and Records Administration maintains a Northeast Regional Branch in Waltham, Mass. This facility holds many items of importance to genealogical research including federal census records, passenger arrival lists, and Revolutionary War military service records. Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center 380 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02452-6399 (781) 647-8104 Local Public Libraries In Massachusetts, most local history materials are held at the local level. Many public libraries have rich local history collections and are important resources for researchers engaged in town and family history. The Massachusetts Library & Information Network maintains an online directory of Massachusetts public libraries. Click here to visit the online directory. Historic Sites and Homes Massachusetts Historical Commission Researchers often confuse the Massachusetts Historical Society with the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). The Historical Commission is the state agency responsible for the oversight and preservation of historic sites and homes in Massachusetts. Additional information is available at the MHC website. Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-8470 Historic New England THistoric New England owns and operates as museums many historic homes throughout New England. Historic New England also operates an "Old House Resource Line" for questions about the preservation and renovation of historic properties. Additional information is available at the Historic New England website. Historic New England 141 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02114 (617) 227-3956 Old House Resource Line: (781) 891-1985, ext. 229 The American Association of Museums The American Association of Museums (AAM) produces The Official Museum Directory, a comprehensive listing of museums that includes historic sites and homes. The directory is published by National Register Publishing and is available at many public and academic libraries. Additional information is available at the AAM website. Military Records Published Records The standard compilations of Massachusetts Revolutionary and Civil War veterans are Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, prepared and published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1891, and Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War, compiled and published by the Adjutant General, 1931. These books, available in many libraries, offer help in determining when and with what regiment war veterans served. Several commercial genealogy websites also provide electronic access to the information in these volumes. Massachusetts State Archives The Massachusetts State Archives hold official military records. Researchers can read about these records on the Archives website. Massachusetts Historical Society The Massachusetts Historical Society holds many manuscript collections that contain references to colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War events and participants. See the page on How to Search the Collections for information about locating these materials or send specific questions through the Ask a Reference Question page. Local History The best place to begin a search of published sources on town and community history in New England is the Bibliographies of New England History series, published by the Committee for a New England Bibliography (NEBib). This series provides a bibliography for each of the six New England states and a New England regional volume, as well as several supplemental volumes, with extensive entries arranged by county and town. Researchers can search the most recent volumes online at the NEBib website. In Massachusetts, most local history materials are held at the local level. Many public libraries have rich local history collections and are important resources for researchers engaged in town and family history. The Massachusetts Library & Information Network maintains an online directory of Massachusetts public libraries on their website. The New England Historic Genealogical Society has the best, centralized collection of Massachusetts and New England published local histories. |
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Where to Begin