Massachusetts Birth Records

A collection of Massachusetts Birth Records that I could find that are free. Also provided are links to directories and databases that are available for use in your search for free birth records and other family history information.

The offices of the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics are open to the public for birth record research purposes. Birt Records and other vital records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635.

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics,
150 Mt. Vernon Street,
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
Phone: (617) 740-2600
email Massachusetts Birth Records

Research hours are:

Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Archives holds the registration books of births, marriages, and deaths for all Massachusetts cities and towns, 1841 through 1910.

Municipal clerks submit these registration pages to the state annually for the vital records generated by their offices. While there is some variation in this information, generally the books provide names, dates, residences, occupations, and parental information. Some death records also include the place of burial.

The Archives also holds microfilm of added entries and corrections to vital records for the same period. Later records in this collection will be transferred to the State Archives at five year intervals.

Access to the information contained in the vital records registration volumes is gained by consulting bound index books. The books are organized in five year intervals; within each index, the names are listed alphabetically.

Reference staff in the Archives will assist researchers in the use of these materials.

Vital Records: Pre 1841

City and town clerks in Massachusetts are the custodians of pre-1841 vital records for their respective towns.

Printed Vital Records Prior to 1850, organized by town, are available in many research libraries, including the Massachusetts State Library.

A limited number of these volumes are held by the State Archives.

Massachusetts Birth Record Links