Massachusetts Biography

The American Genealogical-Biographical Index (described in Massachusetts Genealogy) cites many references to biographies of Massachusetts residents. In addition, two comprehensive biographical encyclopedias are:

The American Historical Society. Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, Biographical-Genealogical. 13 vols. New York, NY: The American Historical Society, ca. 1916. (Family History Library book 974.4 D3e; fiche 6046891.) The Family History Library has volumes 1–4, 6, and 10–13 only.

Eliot, Samuel Atkins. Biographical History of Massachusetts. 10 vols. Boston, Massachusetts: Massachusetts Biographical Society, 1911-18. (Family History Library book 974.4 D3eL.)

Biographical sketches of many Plymouth Colony residents, including those who came on the Mayflower, are in:

Stratton, Eugene Aubrey. Plymouth Colony: Its History and People, 1620-1691. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, 1986. (Family History Library book 974.4 H2s.)

See Massachusetts Genealogy for additional references to biographies and genealogies for Massachusetts ancestors.

Online Resources

 * A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Before 1692
 * GeneaSearch - http://geneasearch.com/biography/states/massachusetts.htm
 * Access Genealogy: Massachusetts Biographies
 * U.S. Biographies Project: Massachusetts - http://www.rootsweb.com/~mabiog/
 * Biographies and information on Mayflower passengers can be found at http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/Passengers/passengers.php