Researching in EssexCounty 
From the standpoint of record andresource availability, Essex County Massachusetts is as close to "genealogist's heaven" as is possible. Organized, published records for most events are available back into the 1630s.
In spite of the above, it must be recognized that diligence and perseveranceare still required in your research efforts. One pitfall in Essex Countyresearch is the plethora of information available, ranging from familygenealogies, town histories published over the years, published vital recordsthrough 1849 (unique to Massachusetts), Internet web sites, online archived materials and helpful fellow genealogists, to name a few. Additionally, the Essex Researcher has the respected, Essex Society of Genealogists as a reliable resource for Essex County information. That ESOG has nearly 1000 members, making it oneof the largest U.S. societies, speaks for the interest in Essex County researchnationwide. Unfortunately, the old genealogist's caveat "check your sources"becomes more meaningful when there are so many
Below is a detailed breakdown of Essex County sources along with some researchtips for use of them as tools in your research.
ESSEX COUNTY VITAL RECORDS
Earliest through1849
All Essex County towns were included in the "OfficialRecords Series" funded by the state and published by various agencies in the early 1900's. These are available in many libraries and through LDS FamilyHistory Centers, generally on microfilm.
1850 to present:
Your first step, if the town is known, is to contact the Town Clerk in thesubject town.
Addresses for Clerks in all Massachusetts towns and cities can be found at:
State of MassachusettsClerk Index
If that fails or you are uncertain of the town, contact the MassachusettsState sources:
1850 to 1910
Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
Phone 617-727-2816
Birth, Death, Marriage $3.00 Certified copy. Microfilm prints are $0.50each.
1911 and later
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
1st Floor
150 Mt. Vernon Street
Dorchester MA 02125-3105
(next to the Bayside Expo Center)
(617) 740-2600
Certified copies may be obtained through the Registry in person ($6.00 each),by mail ($11.00) or by phone ($19.00). Regardless of how you request copies,you should be prepared to provide the name of the subject(s) of the record,the date of the event and, if known, the city or town where the event occurred.The fee for records ordered by phone is $19.00 per certified copy. Visa,MasterCard, Discover and American Express are the only acceptable forms ofpayment. You may request overnight delivery for an additional fee.
For credit card orders of vital records, call (617)740-2606.
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Probate records are available from the Massachusetts State Archives andsome other sources.
1638-1882
State Archives
Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
Old (1600 and 1700s) probate records can be found at the Peabody EssexMuseum in Salem. The Phillips Library of P.E.M. has microfilm of the EssexCounty Probate Record Books through 1881 with indexes, and through 1914 withdocket books. Their address and other Information can be found at their website:
http://www.pem.org
Also: "Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635-1681," Inthree volumes, The Essex Institute; Salem, MA; 1916 are available in somelibraries and through LDS Family History Centers. These are also includedon the Essex County VR CD mentioned above.
There is a published probate index for the years 1638 to1840 which is, unfortunately, out of print. It can be found in somelibraries.
There are over 160 old Essex County Wills on lineat:
http://www.essexcountyma.org/wills
1882-1896
Newburyport Archives
Newburyport Record Center
188 State St.
Newburyport, MA.
(978) 557-1083
1897 - present
Essex County Probate Court
32 Federal St.
Salem, MA 01970
Prior to1869
Essex Deeds
32 Federal St.
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-0200
After 1869
The county was divided into a northern and southern district.
Southern District
Essex Deeds
32 Federal St.
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-0200
All townsexcept: Andover, Lawrence, Methuenand North Andover.
Newer Essex Southern District County Deeds are on line at:
http://www.salemdeeds.com/goget.asp
Northern District
Essex Northern District
381 Common St.
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 683-2745
Andover, Lawrence, Methuen and NorthAndoveronly.
U.S. CENSUSDATA
There are printed indexes for most released Massachusetts U.S. Censuses(except 1890, that census was destroyed by fire in the 1920's.) Indexes tothe 1790 through 1860 censuses are also available on CD.
This was the first "every name" census. All previous censuses only listedthe head of household along with un-named information regarding thehousehold.
MA STATE CENSUSDATA
There are two surviving Massachusetts State Censuses for Essex County.They are available on microfilm from LDS Libraries.The towns and (LDS) filmnumbers are listed below.
LDS 1855 Mass. State Census Micro Films
Towns/Film Number
Amesbury to Gloucester / 0953978
Groveland to Lawrence / 0953979
Lynn to Rowley / 0953980
Salem to W Newbury / 0953981
LDS 1865 Mass. State Census Micro Films
Towns/Film Number
Amesbury to Gloucester / 0953971
Groveland to Lawrence / 0953972
Lynn to Methuen / 0954560
Middleton to Rowley / 0954561
Salem to West Newbury / 0954562
CITY DIRECTORIES
Beginning in about 1850, earlier in some larger cities, independent publishers began to publish yearly or semi-annually, directories listing all the individualsin a town. Depending on the publisher, these directories contained, in additionto name and address, place of work or business, martial status, children,deaths, removals too other places etc. They serve as somewhat of a censusfor each town for the period covered. It should be understood that theinformation for these directories was collected, in many cases, by the cheapestavailable help and the collectors may, in some cases, not have been as diligentin speaking to the specific individual being recorded as the "official" censustakers who were in some cases less than diligent as well. These directoriesare almost always available in the specific town library. LDS Libraries have an extensive collection.
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FAMILYGENEALOGIES
Family genealogies are a tremendous source of information on, particularly, the pre-1850 Essex families. Many of these genealogies were prepared by family members who had access to family records and individuals with first hand knowledge unavailable to us today. Having said that, it should be recognized that most of these genealogies carry no other source citation save the author'sname. Some were self-serving genealogies, prepared for a fee, to document a specific, predetermined lineage. They can be a great source of information but they can also contain misleading information. Important events should, as with any secondary source, be verified.A number of Essex Countyfamily Genealogies are available in reprint. these are listed at:
Higginson Books
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TOWNHISTORIES
Almost every town in essex County has had one or more town history published.These histories can be a good source of not only genealogical informationbut historical background that will assist you in your research by providingan understanding of the town and its people. As with family genealogies theycan be a great source of information but they can also contain misleadinginformation. Genealogical events should, as with any secondary source, be verified. A number of Essex County Town Histories are available in reprint.these are listed at Higginson Books
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LDSFAMILY HISTORY CENTERS
These centers, located nationwide, are the best starting point for thosewho do not have access to other major library collections. The LDS Churchhas microfilmed most Essex records and a significant number of the genealogyand history books of the county.
One of the most useful starting tools available from LDS is the InternationalGenealogical Index (IGI). This is an index to the records that have beengathered by the LDS Church. In some cases the index refers to actual microfilmof records and in others it refers to material submitted by persons forinclusion. In either case, the IGI is anindexto recordsit is not a record. You must refer to the reference in the record and reviewthat to see if the information meets the standards for inclusion in yougenealogy. You can search the IGI by going to:
http://www.familysearch.com/
There are two thousand Family History Centers worldwide and chances are,there is one near you. To find out, go to:
http://www.familysearch.com/Browse/BrowseLibrary.asp
Click on Family History Centers and follow the on screeninstructions.
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ESSEX COUNTYNEWSPAPERS
Newspapers are a great source of information particularly for later residents.Obituaries were not generally published until the last half of the nineteenthcentury but significant snippets of information can garnered from earliereditions. In most cases newspapers are on microfilm at local public libraries.To determine what newspapers may be available for your Essex town go to:
http://www.mass-doc.com/news_daily_directory.htm
LIBRARIES
Almost every town in Essex County has a public library and the larger townshave significant genealogy and history sections. Some even have specificrooms, manned by volunteers, devoted exclusively to genealogy and history.For the most part, the various town libraries can be reached through thetown USGenWeb pages which can be reached at:
http://www.essexcountyma.org/towns.htm
There is also a link to a listing of all Essex County Libraries (not alltowns have a USGenWeb page) at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~maessex/
Massachusetts Libraries:
http://www.mlin.lib.ma.us/about_libraries/ldap_search.shtml
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ON-LINERESOURCES
Essex County USGenWeb:
http://www.essexcountyma.org/
Essex County on RootsWeb:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~maessex
Essex County GenConnect:
http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/MA/Essex/
Essex County Wills:
http://www.essexcountyma.org/wills
The Essex Society of Genealogists, Lynnfield:
http://www.esog.org
The Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
http://www.pem.org
ESSEX COUNTY MAILING LIST - MAESSEX-L
All serious Essex County researchers should consider joining the MAEssex mailing list where they can connect with other Essex researchers.MAEssex-Lis mailing list that covers all aspects and periods of the ancestors in EssexCounty MA.There is considerable overlap in ancestors throughout Essex County.This list gives those with Essex County. Ancestry in any period, a placeto post messages and queries to a dynamic, helpful, focused mailing list.
Click here: MAEssex-L to join Essex County's Mailing List.
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VISITING ESSEXCOUNTY
We sometimes ignore the obvious. Before setting out on your research trip,contact the facilities you intend to visit and be certain of the hours ofrecord availability. It is best to request literature, if any, from the placesyou intend to visit, also, the local Chamber of Commerce can probably providethe information or directions on obtaining it.
Accommodations in many areas are limited and in the summer period you mayfind a scarcity of rooms. This is also true from the latter part of Septemberthrough the end of October (New England fall foliage.) Most of the EssexCounty USGenWeb town pages have links to the local Chambers of Commerce andLibrary web sites. You can reach your town(s) of interest by going to:
http://www.essexcountyma.org/
Remember many town offices and genealogical libraries are staffed parttime and by volunteers. Confirmation of hours on the day of your trip maybe wise for a volunteer situation. Also many historic sites are not openbefore May or after October so "check in advance" again applies.
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I know my ancestor was from Massachusettsbefore1790but I'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI to, hopefully, establish town/county
2. Check published VR book(s) or CD to determineindividual
a. Check births, marriages and deathsto construct possible family
3. Verify with Town Clerk
I know my ancestor was from Massachusetts1790-1849butI'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI and/or U.S. Census Indexes to, hopefully,establish town/county
2. Check published VR book(s) or CD to determineindividual
a. Check births, marriages and deathsto construct possible family
3. Verify with Town Clerk
I know my ancestor was from Massachusetts1850-1905butI'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI and/or U.S. Census Indexes to, hopefully,establish town/county
2. Once a town is established, the 1850 or later U.S.Census, City Directories may be helpful in confirming
that you have the correct family.
3. Don't overlook newspaper obituaries as a place tosubstantiate and possibly expand family relationships.
4. Verify with Town Clerk or contact Massachusetts Archivesat Columbia Point (Boston)
I know my ancestor was fromMassachusetts1906-Presentbut I'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI and/or U.S. Census Indexes to, hopefully,establish town/county
2. Once a town is established, the U.S. Census, CityDirectories and/or phone books may be helpful in
confirming that you have the correctfamily.
3. Don't overlook newspaper obituaries as a place tosubstantiate and possibly expand family relationships.
4. Verify with Town Clerk or contact Massachusetts registryof Vital Records (Boston)
If you find you have Essex County ancestors youshould:
1. Seriously consider joining the MAEssex mailing listwhere you can connect with other Essex researchers.
MAEssex-Lis mailing list that covers all aspects and periods of the ancestors in EssexCounty MA. There
is considerableoverlap in ancestors throughout Essex County. This list gives those withEssex County
Ancestryin any period, a place to post messages and queries to a dynamic, helpful,focused mailing list.
Click MAEssex-L to join Essex County's MailingList.
2. Also consider joining the Essex Society ofGenealogists:
http://www.esog.org
I know my ancestor was from Essex Countybefore 1790butI'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI to, hopefully, establish town/county
2. Check published VR book(s) or CD to determineindividual
a. Check births, marriages and deathsto construct possible family
3. Verify with Town Clerk
I know my ancestor was from Essex County1790-1849butI'm not sure where:
1.Use IGI, U.S. Census Indexes and/or the Essex VRCD to, hopefully, establish town.
2. Check published VR book(s) or CD to determineindividual
a. Check births, marriages and deathsto construct possible family
3. Verify with Town Clerk
I know my ancestor was from Essex County1850-1905butI'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI and/or U.S. Census Indexes to, hopefully,establish town/county
2. Once a town is established, the 1850 or later U.S.Census and/or City Directories may be helpful in
confirming that you have the correctfamily.
3. Don't overlook newspaper obituaries as a place tosubstantiate and possibly expand family relationships.
4. Verify with Town Clerk or contact Massachusetts Archivesat Columbia Point (Boston)
I know my ancestor was from EssexCounty1906-Presentbut I'm not sure where:
1. Use IGI and/or U.S. Census Indexes to, hopefully,establish town/county
2. Once a town is established, the U.S. Census, CityDirectories and/or phone books may be helpful in
confirming that you have the correctfamily.
3. Don't overlook newspaper obituaries as a place tosubstantiate and possibly expand family relationships.
4. Verify with Town Clerk or contact Massachusetts registryof Vital Records