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.
The paper entitled Ezekiel Cheever and Some of his Descendants was prepared for, and published in, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register for April 1879. The same type has now been used to print a few copies in pamphlet form, for private distribution. There has been added to it, as an Appendix, the Cheever Manuscript in the Library of the Boston Athenaeum, now for the first time printed in full.
G129 WILLIAM ALLEN: one of the first settlers of Manchester, Mass., was born in 1602. He came from Manchester, England, with the Merchants’ or Dorchester Co., in 1624. He m. Elizabeth Bradley in 1629 or ’30. She was b. 1603, d. 1632. His 1st wife d., and about 1633 he m. again, and had issue. (2) Samuel: b. Jan. 8, 1632. (3) Deborah: 1637. (4) Bethiah: 1639; d. Feb., 1640. (5) Onesiphorous: 1642. (6) William: 1646. (7) Jonathan: 1649. (2) Samuel: m. Sarah Tuck, of Beverly, ab. 1660. He d. in 1700. They had (A) Samuel: b. Aug. 4, 1663. … Read more
This page treats the Leach Genealogy of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, starting with Lawrence Leach, the immigrant ancestor, and descending to the James Cushing Leach family of Bridgewater, Mass.
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