GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Massachusetts Marriages

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the Massachusetts Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1600-1961: Massachusetts, United States Marriages - ($)
 * 1620-1988: Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records - ($)
 * 1620-1850: Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records - ($)
 * 1633-1850: Massachusetts, Compiled Marriages - ($)
 * 1784-1840: Massachusetts, Marriage Index - ($)
 * pre-1800: Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. I - ($)
 * pre-1800: Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. II - ($)
 * pre-1880: Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. III - ($)
 * pre-1800: Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. IV - ($)
 * 1901-1955; 1966-1970: Massachusetts, Marriage Index - ($)

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records can contain information about more than one event, and are used when records for an event are not available. Because the substitute records may not be created at the time of the event, it may contain incorrect information. Search for as many substitute records as possible to collaborate information found in substitute records to help improve accuracy.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Tips for finding marriages
Success with finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points:
 * Your ancestor's name may misspelled. Try the following search tactics:
 * Try searching using the spouse's name.
 * Try different spelling variations of the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Try a given name search (leave out the last names)


 * Expand the date range of the search.
 * Try searching with the state name only instead of by county.
 * If your ancestor's name is common, try adding more information to narrow the search.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Marriage records begin in 1639 but registration was inconsistent in some areas.

Records Published Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published. Check the coverage table for the collections you searched which did not include your ancestor. Gaps in the online collection may require searches in other records or original birth records at an archive.
 * County marriage holdings, Massachusetts
 * Massachusetts Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Records Destroyed The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information. United States Counties With Records Loss map - Zoom in to the state and click on a county marked in red to see date details.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens