Trumble

Vital Records of Sheffield Massachusetts, 1733-1792

Map of Sheffield, Harstville, Southfield and New Marlborough Massachusetts

The vital records of Sheffield, Massachusetts from 1733 to 1792 detail the town’s historical births, marriages, and deaths. While names and dates are transcribed accurately, some wording has been abbreviated for clarity. Marriage records often specify the union of couples, while birth records typically include parental names. Notably, some families lack marriage entries, starting instead with a child’s birth. The records also document a few out-of-wedlock births, emphasizing lineage through parental names, even in adult death records.

Essex County Massachusetts Probate Records 1635-1664

Sample Last Will and Testament

The “Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay” established a judicial system in 1628, with a General Court in Boston and quarterly courts in major towns like Salem and Ipswich by 1635. These courts managed probate matters, and after Essex County’s formation in 1643, individual probate courts were later established in 1692. These are the probate records from 1635 to 1664, sourced from various original documents, including detailed wills and estate settlements.