Massachusetts Periodicals

United States   Massachusetts    Periodicals

Most family history periodicals publish transcriptions of local sources used in genealogical research. Information published in periodicals may include family histories, genealogies, historical background, maps, information about local records and archives, queries, census indexes, transcripts of family Bibles, church records, court records, cemetery records, land records, military records, obituaries, and wills. Often published by genealogical or historical societies, they typically focus on the records of a particular county, while a few may specialize in records of a particular ethnic group or religion. Among the periodicals at the Family History Library are:

The American Genealogist (formerly: Families of Ancient New Haven) 1923-. and

 * Published by David L. Greene P.O. Box 398 Demorest, Georgia 30535–0398

Essex Antiquarian. 13 Volumes. 1897-1909.
. Volumes 1-4 are also on film. Published by the Essex Antiquarian, Salem, Massachusetts. This source has information on families of Essex County, mostly Salem and some Lynn. This periodical is available online and a subscription is required.

The Mayflower Descendant. 1899-1937, 1985-.
. Volumes 1–34 are on


 * Published by the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants 376 Boylston St. Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Phone: (617) 266–1624.

Issues are devoted to information on Mayflower descendants, with genealogical history, places, and dates.

The Mayflower Quarterly. 1935-.

 * Published by The General Society of Mayflower Descendants P.O. Box 3297 Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361 Phone: (508) 746–3188.

The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 1847-.
also FHL compact disc 33 pt. 1–9. Some volumes on film.


 * Published by The New England Historic Genealogical Society. This has a cumulative index to 1995. Includes genealogies, vital record extracts, church records, local genealogical histories, and New England source material. Issues through 2003 are available online and a subscription is required.

For nationwide indexes to some of these and other family history periodicals, see:

PERiodical Source Index Resource Guide (PERSI).
Ft. Wayne, Indiana: Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1987-. ; and. Indexes thousands of family history periodicals. Annual indexes have been published yearly since 1986. For further details see the PERiodical Source Index Guide.

For more family history periodicals, study the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: