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.

Addison Eli Todd of Elba MN

Addison Eli Todd7, (Eli6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born July 22, 1821, in Charlemont, Mass., died Sept. 14, 1878, married, March 22, 1860, Isabella Ball, who was born Feb. 13, 1833, in Greenfield, Mass., in which town they were married. Mr. Todd lived the first twenty-one years of his life in Charlemont, Mass., assisting his father with the work on the farm. Attaining his majority, he started for the west. Arriving in Michigan, he found employment in the saw mills of Lenawa County for several years. Returning to Massachusetts, he purchased a piece of timber land and began manufacturing … Read more

Hattie E. Todd Tuttle of Whitingham VT

TUTTLE, Hattie E. Todd7, (Solomon6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born in 1850, in Charlemont, Mass., married Oct. 14, 1868, Lyman C. son of Jude S. and Cynthia (Blakeslee) Tuttle, who was born May 13, 1846, and died about 1902. She is living now (1913) with her daughter in Whitingham, Vt., R. F. D. No. 1. Children: I. Lyman R., b. June 30, 1869. II. Hattie B., b. Sept. 30, 1870. III. George. IV. John.

David Todd of Charlemont MA

David Todd6, (Titus5, Titus4, Benjamin3, Michael2, Christopher1) born March 17, 1807, died in 1880, married Dec. 1, 1831, Clarissa Bradford of Williamsburg, Mass., who was born Sept. 15, 1808, died in 1884. She was in the sixth generation in direct line from Governor Bradford of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony. He was a Methodist Clergyman and as to his pastorates, his son, Stephen Olin Todd says: “soon after he began preaching he was located at Winchendon, Mass.; thence to Haddam or Haddam Neck, Conn., about 1834, he went next to Hebron, Conn., in 1836, later he was at Londenderry and … Read more

Mary O. Todd Holbrook of Charlemont MA

HOLBROOK, Mary O. Todd7, (Eli6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born in Charlemont, Mass., died Oct. 4, 1869, married, Dec. 17, 1846, David son of Peter and Amy (Reed) Holbrook, both having been born in New Hampshire, David, having been born in Swansea, N. H. Mr. Holbrook was a descendant of an Englishman, who was beheaded after the war for the kingdom of Scotland, for having espoused the cause of that country, his four sons having been banished for their part in the affair. They emigrated to America. Children: I. Edward T., b. Oct. 2, 1847, d. April 7, 1878, … Read more

Augustus Varnum Todd of Charlemont MA

Augustus Varnum Todd7, (Eli6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Sept. 22, 1826, in Charlemont, Mass., died April 7, 1882, married Mercy Hawkes, who was born Oct. 4, 1831, died Sept. 14, 1889. Children: *1602. Flora Annette, b. April 5, 1854. 1603. Mary Adeline, b. Dec. 8, 1855, d. infant. *1604. Lizzie Jane, b. Aug. 6, 1858. *1605. Mary Adeline, b. Sept. 4, 1860. *1606. Ellen Direxia, b. Sept. 4, 1862. *1607. Eunice Arabelle, b. Aug. 4, 1869. 1608. Evelyn Augustus, b. April 18, 1870, m. Helen Gates. No children. They live in Jamestown, N. Y.

Biography of Alfred Joel Nims

ALFRED JOEL NIMS, D. D. S. The most active and useful membership in his community that Dr. Nims has held as a dental practitioner for the long period of forty-five years, has always justified the honors of the bestowal of place and preferment upon him by his fellow-townsmen at Turners Falls. His life has spoken in no uncertain terms through the practice of his profession, in which he has never failed as an exponent of the results of the most advanced thinking in dental science; while in his civic and social relationships Dr. Nims on a number of occasions has … Read more

Solomon Todd of Charlemont MA

Solomon Todd6, (Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Aug. 31, 1811, died July 15, 1902, married about 1837, Harriet Mayhew Hawks, who was born in Charlemont, Mass., Sept. 24, 1818, died May 17, 1902, in Rowe, Mass. When he was about 21 years of age he went to Westfield, Mass., and served 5 years learning the carpenters trade. Soon after he returned to Zoar, Mass., where he lived for some time after he was married. Later he moved to Charlemont, Mass., where he lived until 1858, when he removed to Rowe, Mass., living there until his death. Children: 892. Ellen, … Read more

Dexter Josiah Todd of Elba MN

Dexter Josiah Todd7, (Eli6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Sept. 22, 1828, in Charlemont, Mass., died March 24, 1886, of Pneumonia at his home in Fairwater, Minn., married in 1858, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Zenas and Julia (Smith) Elmer, who was born July 17, 1835, in Ashfield, Mass., died April 5, 1909, in the old home in Fairwater, Minn. He left the old home in Charlemont, Mass., when he was about twenty-two years of age. For the next four years he worked in the woods, most of the time getting out “shook.” In the spring of 1854, he with … Read more

Eli Todd of Charlemont MA

Eli Todd6, (Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born in 1795, died Oct. 8, 1885, married Mary R. Legate, who was born in 1796, died Nov. 25, 1873, in Charlemont, Mass., where they are supposed to have lived. Children: *880. Adeline. *881. Addison E., b. July 22, 1821. *882. Mary O. *883. Augustus Varum, b. Sept. 22, 1826. *884. Dexter Josiah, b. Sept. 22, 1828. *885. Lorenzo U., b. Nov. 16, 1832. *886. Electa L. *887. Edward E., b. May 23, 1840.

Charlotte Todd Veber of Charlemont MA

VEBER, Charlotte Todd6, (Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born in 1806, died April 28, 1897, married John Veber who was born in 1802, died May 1, 1895. They lived in Charlemont, Mass. Children: I. Lucius, b. 1827, d. Jan. 17, 1892. II. William. III. Eleanor. IV. Charles. V. Herbert. VI. George, killed in action in the civil war, a bullet went directly through his heart. VII. Elias. VIII. Dora. IX. Sarah. X. Victoria. XI. Harriet.

Biography of John Wesley Riddell

JOHN WESLEY RIDDELL, whose death occurred on April 27, 1910, took from the community of Greenfield a worthy citizen and one who had contributed much towards its development and upbuilding. He was born in Charlemont, Massachusetts, a nineteenth century representative of a family of prominence. The Riddell family is of Scotch origin, the name having been variously spelled as Ridel, Riddle, Riddel, Riddell, Ridley, and Ridlum, but all of the names were derived from the same source, the dale or valley of the River Rye, or Ryedale, whence the family first took their name, that being the place of residence … Read more

Biography of Marc Joseph Tetreault

MARC JOSEPH TETREAULT – The main interest that centers in the industrious career of Mr. Tetreault is the dominating quality of perseverance, most exemplary throughout his life, whose success from the start was absolutely dependent upon his own efforts. His belief in performing well the work at hand is paramount, and his record of industry is one that exhibits a wholesome readiness to assume the task and the burden of many trades in order eventually to arrive at a hoped-for goal. When twenty-six years ago, he discovered the road to his vocation, it proved the beginning of a lucrative venture … Read more