Massachusetts Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This collection covers the years 1841 to 1915.

Record History
Starting in 1841 the state required that a copy of each death recorded in a town or city be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Since 1896 the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics has been the repository for the copies. Population coverage is near 100% for later years. Coverage is not as complete for some earlier years.

Why This Record Was Created
Deaths were recorded to serve public health needs. They were also used to probate wills and administer the deceased individual’s estate.

Record Reliability
Death information is generally reliable for the place and date of death of the deceased. Other information will only be as reliable as the informant’s knowledge or memory.

Record Description
The earlier records were recorded by hand in a register style format. In the early 1900’s individual death certificates came into use.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in Massachusetts Statewide Deaths are:


 * Full name
 * Specific town or city of death and residence
 * Day, month and year of death
 * Age at death
 * Place and date of birth
 * Gender, marital status, and sometimes name of spouse
 * Name of parents and their place of birth (not always filled in)
 * Place and date of burial
 * Name of informant (sometimes gives information as to relationship to the deceased)
 * Name of the funeral home or director
 * Race
 * Occupation

How To Use The Record
The death record may provide clues for further research: date and place of birth of the individual, names of parents, place of residence, and name of spouse. Earlier records do not contain as much information as the records created from the late 19th century onward. The early records may only contain the name of the deceased, date and place of death, residence and parental information and sometimes place of birth and occupation. The information listed below is for the more recent records. All of the information does not appear in every instance.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Massachusetts Vital Records

Sources of This Collection
"Massachusetts Death Records, 1841-1915", database, FamilySearch; from Massachusetts State Archives. "Deaths, 1841-1971". Massachusetts Division of Vital Statistics, State House, Boston, Massachusetts. FHL microfilm. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

A full bibliographic record is available in the Family History Library Catalog.

How to Cite Your Sources
An example of citing these records is: Massachusetts Division of Vital Statistics. Certificate of Death. From FamilySearch Internet (familysearch.org), April 27, 2010. Certificate 289. Charles B. Ahern, date of death April 16, 1913.

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How_to_Cite_FamilySearch_Collections