Free Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital Records of Bellingham Massachusetts to 1850

This is a collection of free vital records books, otherwise known as “Tan Books” for Massachusetts towns. Generally, these records go up to 1849/1850 at which, the genealogist can use the census records to assist in identifying the family connections further. Included with this article is an account of why and how these manuscripts were published along with links to all 198 books which can be freely read or downloaded.

Biography of Elijah Hamlin

(VI) Elijah, eldest son and second child of Captain Seth and Mary (Pitcher) Hamlin, was born in Alford, Massachusetts, February 8, 1767, died April 12, 1858, and was buried at Clarkson, New York. He witnessed as a boy many of the stirring scenes of the revolution and related to his grandchildren many interesting incidents of those clays of hardship and danger. He removed to Barre, Massachusetts, and from there to East Bloomfield, New York, about 1791. He purchased and operated a farm there which is now (1910) owned by his grandsons, John S. and Frank H. Hamlin. He was a … Read more

1923-1925 South Berkshire Directory

1923-1925 South Berkshire Directory

The 1923-1925 South Berkshire Directory. A general directory of the towns of Alford, Egremont (North and South), Great Barrington (including Housatonic), Monterey, Mount Washington (including Alandar), New Marlboro (including Clayton, Hartsville, Mill River and Southfield), North Canaan, Conn. (including Canaan and East Canaan), Sheffield (including Ashley Falls), Stockbridge (including Interlaken and Glendale), West Stockbridge (including State Line). An alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens, co-partnerships, corporations, town, county and state officers, schools, churches, banks, railways, clubs and other associations, secret and benevolent societies, etc., street and house guides for great Barrington and a complete classified business directory.

Biography of Captain Seth Hamlin

(V) Captain Seth Hamlin, son and eldest child of Isaac and Mary (Gibbs) Hamlin, was born September 9, 1740. His name appears on the records of Alford, Massachusetts, in 1793-94, but not later. He is believed to have died there in 1795. He resided at Sharon, Connecticut; New Concord, New York, and Alford, Massachusetts, where his name frequently appears on the early records, sometimes as Captain Seth Hamlin. He was a highway surveyor in 1777, and town clerk in 17831785. He was a soldier of the revolution, serving in Captain Wilcox’s company, Colonel Ashley’s regiment. He enlisted for three years … Read more