Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records

= Massachusetts State Marriage Records =

How To Use This Record
Marriage records are the best source for validating the date and place of marriage. The age and place of birth can be used to obtain further birth information of the bride and groom and possibly information on other siblings. Marriage number can be useful in identifying previous marriages.

Why This Record Was Created
Marriage records were created to legalize marital relationships and to safeguard the interests of the wife and other legal heirs.

Record History
Beginning in 1841 in accordance with a new law, municipal clerks sent in the registrations they had collected to the state once a year. As a result, after that date, records were available at the town and state levels. Boston did not comply with the law until about 1848.

Record Description
Marriage records were handwritten or later typed on pre-printed forms with multiple entries on each page.

Record Coverage
1841-1915

Population coverage is near 100% for later years. Coverage is not as complete for some earlier years.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in all are:


 * Name of bride and groom, Place and date of marriage, marital status, and number of marriage (in later records)
 * Age, and place of birth (in later records)
 * Residence and occupation
 * Names of parents
 * Name, residence, and official status of person by whom married

Record Reliability
The marriage date, place, residence of bride and groom, occupation are fairly reliable. Other information such as age or birth place is dependent on the memory of the informant.