Shelburne Massachusetts Genealogy

History of Shelburne Massachusetts

Southeastern View of Shelburne Falls Village Before 1835

The “History and Tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts” is an account of the town’s development, initiated by a community effort in 1944. The project culminated in 1958 after various committees worked to collect and organize information across multiple aspects, including geology, early settlement, and cultural life. The book, intentionally topical rather than genealogical, features contributions from numerous writers and serves as a reference for understanding Shelburne’s heritage, institutions, and notable figures.

The Massachusetts Tax Valuation List of 1771

Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax, 1798

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

Free Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital Records of Bellingham Massachusetts to 1850

This is a collection of free vital records books for Massachusetts towns, most of them known as “Tan Books.” Generally, these records go up to 1850 at which, the genealogist can use the census records to assist in identifying the family connections further. They’re called “tan books” because they were bound by tan cloth. Included with this article is an account of why and how these manuscripts were published along with links to all 274 Massachusetts vital record books which can be freely read.