R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Massachusetts
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Obituaries
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline describes major sources of information about families from Massachusetts. Before reading this outline, study the United States Research Outline (30972), which will help you understand terminology, contents, and uses of genealogical records.


RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY

The Family History Library Look this term up in the glossary.has many of the records described in this outline. The major holdings include vital records; genealogies; local histories; censuses; and church, military, probate, land, and court records.

Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, microfiche, and computer numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary..

A computer number is usually given. If you have access to the Family History Library Catalog on computer, the “Computer Number Search” is the fastest way to find a source in the catalog.


Return to top of page


FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The library's records are listed in the Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. found at the library and at each Family History Center. To find a record, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog for:

  • The place where your ancestor lived, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSMASSACHUSETTS - VITAL RECORDSMASSACHUSETTS, ESSEX - COURT RECORDSMASSACHUSETTS, ESSEX, SALEM - CHURCH RECORDS

  • The record type you want to search, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSMASSACHUSETTS - VITAL RECORDSMASSACHUSETTS, ESSEX - COURT RECORDSMASSACHUSETTS, ESSEX, SALEM - CHURCH RECORDS

The record types described in this outline are the record types used in the Family History Library Catalog.

Return to top of page

Next Document

©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]