GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Massachusetts Marriages

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the Massachusetts Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1600-1961:  Massachusetts, United States Marriages  - at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1620-1988:  Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records  - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1620-1850:  Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records  - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1633-1850:  Massachusetts, Compiled Marriages  - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1784-1840:  Massachusetts, Marriage Index  - at Ancestry ($)
 * pre-1800:  Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. I  - at Ancestry ($)
 * pre-1800:  Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. II  - at Ancestry ($)
 * pre-1880:  Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. III  - at Ancestry ($)
 * pre-1800:  Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800, Vol. IV  - at Ancestry ($)
 * 1901-1955; 1966-1970:  Massachusetts, Marriage Index  - at Ancestry ($)

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for marriage events may not have been created at the time of the marriage. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Tips for finding marriages
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name by leaving out the last name.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride’s name rather than the groom’s name.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate year of marriage or the county the marriage took place in.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Marriage records begin in 1639 but registration was inconsistent in some areas.

Records Published Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published. Check the coverage table for the collections you searched which did not include your ancestor. Gaps in the online collection may require searches in other records or original birth records at an archive.
 * Massachusetts Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Records Destroyed The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens