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.
Isaac Patten, by trade a tanner, born in Billerica, Mass., and who married there and had some family, having lost his wife, came to Gouldsboro to set up his trade, about or near the time that Campbell and Nickels came to Steuben. In Gouldsboro, he married for a second wife Amy Allen. The children of Isaac and Amy Patten were John, Mary, William, Elizabeth, Tobias, Lydia, David and Nathaniel.
Dr. Charles Richard Hunt is descended on the paternal side from William Hunt, of Concord, and on the maternal side from Sir Thomas Hayward, one of the early settlers of Duxbury, Mass., both of Puritan families.
Lawrence Dowse of Legbourne, England : his ancestors, descendants and connections in England, Massachusetts and Ireland; compiled under the direction of William Bradford Homer Dowse.
Joseph Stevens, born Billerica, Mass., Oct. 20, 1720. Died in Winthrop, Maine, Oct. 2, 1791. Married Elizabeth Emery, born Billerica, 1723. Died Winthrop, Maine, Feb. 28, 1798. They moved to Winthrop, Me. from New Ipswich, N. H. in 1769. The names of their children were: Elizabeth, b. Oct. 10, 1744. Joseph, Jr., b. April 8, 1746. Joseph, Jr., b. Oct. 31, 1747. Ames, b. July 16, 1749. Samuel, b. April 28, 1751. Mercy, b. Nov. 23, 1752. Abel, b. April 27, 1755. Esther, b. Oct. 6, 1756. Ephrain, b. June 29, 1758. (2) William, b. July 4, 1760; d. Winthrop, … Read more
The following are 5 free digitized directories found online for the cities and towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Westford Massachusetts covering the years of 1896-1926 (incomplete), containing an alphabetical list of the inhabitants and business firms, streets, town offices, societies, churches and other miscellaneous matter. Directories can provide such information on an individual such as their employment and address during the year issued. They may also indicate whether they were renting or residing with somebody else at the time.
From 1890-1903, the Dedham Historical Society in Dedham Massachusetts printed a quarterly pamphlet for it’s historical society called the “Dedham Historical Register.” In this pamphlet a variety of genealogical data was published on families of Dedham and the villages emanating from the early residents of Dedham, such as Dorchester, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Needham, and Sharon, etc.
Charles Colburn was a sailor in his younger days; he was born in the town of Billerica, Mass., and came to Blue Hill previous to 1829. He married Serena Parker, daughter of Marble and Hannah (Lovejoy) Parker, Oct. 15, 1829. The children of Charles and Serena Colburn were as follows: Hannah, Eliza, Charles and Mary.
The Massachusetts Tax Valuation List of 1771 contains the names and descriptions of taxable property of nearly 38,000 individuals who resided in 152 Massachusetts towns in 1771