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.

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Adams

Nathan Adams came to Eden with his father, Asa, in June, 1803, from Rutland, Mass. He subsequently located on a farm in the northern part of the town, where he resided a number of years, and finally, after various changes of residence, he died upon a farm now owned by one of his grandsons, his death occurring in 1854, aged sixty years. Of his family of seven children, five are now living. Harmon S., his second son, born in 1819, has always been a resident of the town. He has reared a family of four children. Mason Adams, the youngest … Read more

Biography of Jonas H. Brooks

JONAS H. BROOKS A LEADING, representative young man of Albany – a banker by profession – who is identified with the commercial interests of the city, is Jonas H. Brooks. He was born at Rutland, Worcester County, Mass., on the 5th of January, 1848. He comes from a long line of New England ancestry, which dates back to the formation of the Massachusetts colony in 1630-1. He is of the eighth generation of this strong and sterling old race in this country. The parents of Jonas H. Brooks are Moses Brooks and Sophronia Greenwood. His grandfather was Jonas Brooks of … Read more