How to Find Massachusetts Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Massachusetts Deaths

Massachusetts Towns have been recording deaths since the 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1841.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Deaths before 1841
 * Deaths from 1841 thru 1920
 * Deaths from 1921 thru present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1841
For deaths that occurred during this time period, try the following databases:

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1841 thru 1920
Massachusetts was the first state to initiate statewide registration of vital records beginning in 1841. However, the city of Boston, which had kept records prior to this time, didn't start reporting their vital statistics to the state until about 1850. Records from 1841 to 1920 are housed at the Massachusetts Archives. Every five years, another block of five years is transferred from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to the Archives.

For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following databases:

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 * align="left" colspan="3" | Includes Index and Digital Images
 * Free; Browse only collection. Includes births, 1916-1920 and amended birth records, 1841-1920
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 * 1841-1910 - Massachusetts Archives database
 * Free; Searchable index of Massachusetts birth, marriage, and death records.
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 * 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library
 * Free at the Family History Library; Includes index, digital images, and amended birth records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
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 * 1841-1910 - Massachusetts Archives database
 * Free; Searchable index of Massachusetts birth, marriage, and death records.
 * width="10%" |
 * 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library
 * Free at the Family History Library; Includes index, digital images, and amended birth records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * width="10%" |
 * 1841-1910 - use American Ancestors at the Family History Library
 * Free at the Family History Library; Includes index, digital images, and amended birth records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1917 thru 1970
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1970
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:


 * The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
 * The spouse of the person on the certificate
 * The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
 * The sibling of the person on the certificate
 * Funeral director
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. death records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to Find U.S. death Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Birth Records
 * United States Marriage Records