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

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

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1600s-2017:  United States Obituary Notices  at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1620-1988:  Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1620-1850:  Massachusetts, Town Death Records  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1841-1910:  State of Massachusetts Vital Records  at the Massachusetts State Archives
 * 1901-1980:  Massachusetts, Death Index  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1935-2014:  U.S., Social Security Death Index  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1936-2007:  U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1970-2003:  Massachusetts, Death Index  at Ancestry ($)

Additional Records with Death 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 corroborate information found in substitute records to help improve accuracy.

Tips for finding deaths
Successfully finding death records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name (leave out the last name) with the approximate date of birth or death.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate birth date or parent's names if known.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * 1635 Death records were kept but registration was inconsistent in some areas.
 * 1841 Statewide Registration.

Records Published by FamilySearch Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published by FamilySearch. For any FamilySearch collections you did not find your ancestor in, check the coverage table for gaps in the online collection. If the time period or location your ancestor lived in is missing from the collection, it may require searches in records found at original repository or finding substitute records for the event.
 * Massachusetts Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Records Destroyed The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.