New England, Corbin Manuscript Collection, Compiled Genealogies - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 1650-1850. Images of the Corbin Manuscript Collection are housed at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, Massachusetts. The collection consists of records that were transcribed and compiled by Walter E. and Lottie S. Corbin, mainly of material from central and western Massachusetts for the period 1650-1850. The collection contains local records (including local histories, church records, town clerks' books, family bible entries and gravestone inscriptions), genealogies, and source notes. These images are courtesy of the society. The index covers the genealogies from the collection.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Person's name
 * Birth date
 * Marriage dates
 * Death date
 * Relationship to others

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The names of family members
 * Other identifying information such as their residence, age, names of other family members and relationships.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Massachusetts.
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * Massachusetts Guided Research
 * Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Corbin Manuscript Collection

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.