Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. These must usually be searched in person. The following are some of the major published and manuscript collections helpful for Massachusetts research.

Published Collections

Many genealogies have been researched and published for the colonial states. Names of the earliest immigrants and settlers have been identified. Examples of numerous published collections are:

Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts. 4 vols. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing, 1910. (FHL book 974.4 D2c; films 905528-29; fiche 6051241; computer number 115558.)

This and other series by Cutter relating to Massachusetts and New England are indexed in:

Ireland, Norma Olin and Winifred Irving. Cutter Index: A Consolidated Index of Cutter's Nine Genealogy Series. Fallbrook, Calif.: Ireland Indexing Service, [197-]. (FHL book 974 D22i; film 1036507 item 6; fiche 6046737; computer number 122007.)

Greenlaw, William Prescott. The Greenlaw Index of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. 2 vols. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1979. (FHL Ref book Q 974 D22g; computer number 40822.) This is an index to many local histories and genealogies published between 1900 and about 1940.

New England Historic Genealogical Society. English Origins of New England Families: from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. First Series, 3 vols., 1984. Second Series, 3 vols., 1985. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. (FHL book 974 D2e; First Series fiche 6047919; computer number 282008; Second Series fiche 6047922; computer number 343700.) Multi-generation genealogies several pages long.

Pope, Charles Henry. The Pioneers of Massachusetts. 1900. Reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1965. (FHL book 974.4 D2p; film 924405 fiche 6046669; computer number 85046.) This includes genealogical information found in various local records for 1620–1650.

Rider, Fremont, ed. American Genealogical- Biographical Index. Vols. 1-186+. Middletown, Conn.: Godfrey Memorial Library, 1952-. (FHL book 973 D22am ser. 2; on 31 FHL films; computer number 49554.) This is a continuing series. An earlier version of 48 volumes was published as The American Genealogical Index, 1942-1951. Over 4 million brief citations (name, date, and source) to manuscripts, periodicals, books, and the Boston Transcript. The earlier version indexed 350 sources. The second version includes the original 350 sources and an additional 800 sources.

To help understand the source citations and to locate the original sources, use the colored pages in some volumes of:

Clark, Patricia L. and Dorothy Huntsman, eds. Key Title Index to the American Genealogical-Biographical Index. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990. (FHL book 973 D22am index; film 1698167 item 4; fiche 6088377; computer number 491052.) Lists sources that are at the Family History Library and their call numbers.

Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. . . . 4 vols. 1860-62. Reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1965. FHL book 974 D2s; film 496426-28; computer number 266986.) Alphabetical list showing three generations of immigrants who arrived in America before 1692. Brief sketches and genealogies of the families, with dates.

Collections

New England Historic Genealogical Society. This society has several important manuscript collections. The society's card catalog is on microfilm at the Family History Library:

New England Genealogical Society (Boston, Massachusetts). Genealogical Card Catalog, A-Z. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. (On 19 FHL films; computer number 338222.)

One of the Society's manuscript collections is:

Corbin, Walter E. Corbin Manuscript Collection in New England Historic Genealogical Society. [S.l.: s.n.], 1982. (FHL film 928633–92; computer number 152864.) This collection covers central and western Massachusetts and includes local histories, church records, town records, genealogies, and Bible and cemetery transcripts. It is helpful for the years 1650–1850.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collections. See:

Daughters of the American Revolution (Massachusetts). Genealogical Collection. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971. (On 39 films, beginning with FHL film 859313; computer number 468271.) This important collection includes transcripts of many Bible, cemetery, church, obituary, and other records of individuals born about 1700–1900.

Massachusetts Historical Society Collections. Manuscript collections at this society are described in:

Catalog of Manuscripts of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 7 vols. Boston: G.K. Hall and Co., 1969. (FHL book Q 974.4 A3m; computer number 253436.)

Massachusetts Archives Collections. See:

Massachusetts. State Archives. Card Index to the Massachusetts Archives. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972–1973. (On 57 films, beginning with FHL film 543878; computer number 73740.) These 328 volumes contain copies of historical documents from 1629 to 1799. They are at the Massachusetts State Archives. The Family History Library has only the card index to these volumes. The index is listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under MASSACHUSETTS - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INDEXES.

Family History Library. This index is especially useful for New England research:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Genealogical Department, Library Division. Old Surname Index File. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1976. (FHL films 1058446–85 and 1058322–3; computer number 142606.) This is a surname index of some manuscripts, periodicals, books, and films collected by the Family History Library before 1964.

Mayflower Genealogies

Many records of Mayflower and Plymouth Colony families are at the Family History Library and other libraries. The Family History Library has obtained many published and microfilmed records from the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The society is currently involved in a project to identify five generations of descendants of the Mayflower passengers. Twelve volumes, representing 17 Mayflower passengers, have been published to date (FHL 974:4 D2mf; volumes 1–3 are on FHL fiche 6049584–6; computer number 22306). Also being prepared is Mayflower Families in Progress, representing four generations of 11 names. See this title in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalog.

Some Mayflower genealogies are in:

Genealogies of Mayflower Families: From the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 3 vols. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. (FHL book 974 D2gm; computer number 357458.)

The largest documented source on Mayflower genealogy by a leading Mayflower authority is:

Bowman, George Ernest. Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants: The Bowman Files. Boston, Mass.: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1983. (FHL fiche 6331448–71; computer number 262028.) Includes 232 microfiche cards grouped by family name, showing the descendants of the passengers.

Two helpful periodicals are The Mayflower Descendant and The Mayflower Quarterly, listed in the “Periodicals” section of this outline.

Return to top of page

Previous Document   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.
[FamilySearch^TM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]