Massachusetts

Old Norfolk County Massachusetts Towns in the 1600’s

Old Norfolk County, Massachusetts, was created in 1643 and dissolved in 1679. The towns that existed within its bounds during the 1600’s fall into four groups: (1) those settled and incorporated before the county’s creation, (2) those that were settled, but not incorporated until after the county formation, (3) those that were both settled and incorporated after the county formation in 1643, and (4) those settled in the 1600s but not incorporated until the 1700s. Understanding when a community was first settled is important to genealogical research.

Suffolk County Massachusetts Towns in the 1600’s

Suffolk County, Massachusetts, was created in 1643. The towns that existed within its bounds during the 1600’s fall into four groups: (1) those settled and incorporated before the county’s creation, (2) those that were settled, but not incorporated until after the county formation, (3) those that were both settled and incorporated after the county formation in 1643, and (4) those settled in the 1600s but not incorporated until the 1700s. Understanding when a community was first settled is important to genealogical research.

Middlesex County Massachusetts Towns in the 1600’s

Middlesex County, Massachusetts, was created in 1643. The towns that existed within its bounds during the 1600’s fall into four groups: (1) those settled and incorporated before the county’s creation, (2) those that were settled, but not incorporated until after the county formation, (3) those that were both settled and incorporated after the county formation in 1643, and (4) those settled in the 1600s but not incorporated until the 1700s. Understanding when a community was first settled is important to genealogical research.

History of Acton, Massachusetts

1890 Tuttle's Historical Map of Acton Massachusetts

Acton, located within the historic boundaries of Concord, was formed through various land grants and purchases starting in 1656. Notably, the Iron-Work Farm was granted to Major Simon Willard. Disputes over land boundaries led to legal adjustments by 1710. Acton became a separate township on July 3, 1735, due to the community’s needs for local governance and worship. Over the years, the population grew, and the town engaged in agricultural activities, supporting a range of local industries. Notable for its ecclesiastical history, Acton established churches and schools, contributing to its gradual development until the American Revolution, after which it continued to evolve steadily.

Passengers Aboard the Blessing, 1635

In June and July 1635, a group of passengers embarked on the ship Blessing from England to New England. The lists from Hotten and Banks detail their ages, origins, and intended settlements, with many settling in Scituate and Salem, Massachusetts. The final consolidated account includes corrections and real name spellings, facilitating genealogical research for descendants. Noteworthy points include uncertainty about the fate of some passengers and the connections between families aboard the ship, reflecting the genealogical FAN theory that when your ancestors migrated, they usually did it with others that they knew, not alone.

Essex County Massachusetts Towns in the 1600’s

Essex County, Massachusetts, was created in 1643. The towns that existed within its bounds during the 1600’s fall into four groups: (1) those settled and incorporated before the county’s creation, (2) those that were settled, but not incorporated until after the county formation, (3) those that were both settled and incorporated after the county formation in 1643, and (4) those settled in the 1600s but not incorporated until the 1700s. Understanding when a community was first settled is important to genealogical research.

Civil War Participants from Wareham, Massachusetts

This post lists individuals from Wareham, Massachusetts, who served in the Civil War, categorized as soldiers or sailors. Notably, some entries are denoted with a “+” to indicate those who lost their lives in the conflict. Additional annotations identify individuals exclusively cited in “History of Wareham” by Rev. Noble Warren Everett or noted on the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Monument from 1904.

French & Indian War Soldiers and Sailors from Wareham, Massachusetts

The post lists individuals from Wareham, Massachusetts, who served in the French Indian War, as documented in “History of Wareham” by Rev. Noble Warren Everett. The names are also commemorated on the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Monument in Wareham. The individuals, some of whom were Native Americans, are noted for their contributions. This information is part of the broader narrative of Wareham’s history and genealogy.

War of 1812 Soldiers and Sailors from Wareham, Massachusetts

The post highlights individuals from Wareham, Massachusetts, who served in the War of 1812, noting that some lost their lives in the conflict. A distinction is made between those recorded in Rev. Noble Warren Everett’s “History of Wareham” and others listed on the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Monument, erected in 1904. Names include notable figures such as Colonel Alexander Bourne and Corporals William Gibbs and Valentine Coffin.

Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors from Wareham, Massachusetts

The post lists individuals from Wareham who served in the Revolutionary War as soldiers or sailors, noting those who lost their lives in the conflict. It references two sources for documentation: *History of Wareham* by Rev. Noble Warren Everett, and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Monument erected in 1904. The list includes prominent names such as Isaac Ames, John Bourne, and Capt. Samuel Gibbs, among others.

Plymouth County – Massachusetts History & Genealogy

1867 Map of Plymouth County Massachusetts

Plymouth County, established in 1685, encompasses territory from the original Plymouth Colony, founded in 1620 by Pilgrims. It was historically inhabited by the Wampanoag people and features significant waterways and towns like Duxbury and Hingham, facilitating genealogical research. The county seat is shared between Plymouth and Brockton, with key records beginning in 1685. The Pilgrims’ settlement and their subsequent challenges shaped the region’s heritage, influencing local genealogy. The 1867 Plymouth County Directory offers valuable historical insights and lists of Revolutionary War veterans.

Church History of Wareham Massachusetts

The Wareham First (Congregational) Church, established shortly after the town’s incorporation, was the sole church for nearly a century. Leonard H. Smith Jr. published its records up to 1891, though Church Record Book 2 (1800-1845) is missing. The Baptist Church was active from 1830 to 1865, with limited extant records. Methodists emerged around 1831, merging their local congregations into Wesley United Methodist Church in the 1960s. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church started in 1865, with Episcopalians establishing a church in 1868. The Advent Christian Church was founded in 1887. Records for these churches are generally incomplete.

Wareham – Massachusetts History & Genealogy

Wareham, Massachusetts, settled in 1678 and incorporated in 1739, was originally part of Rochester and the Agawam Purchase from the Wampanoag tribe. Situated at Buzzards Bay, it became a key shipbuilding and fishing hub in the 18th and 19th centuries and developed into a notable cranberry-growing area by the late 19th century. Vital records, including deeds from 1685 and probate records from 1686, are held by Plymouth County. Resources for genealogical research include early town records, census data from 1790-1920, and an obituary index covering 1905-1998, available through the American History Genealogy Project.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, T-Z Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames T through Z has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, R-S Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames R through S has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, N-Q Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames N through Q has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, L-M Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames L through M has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, H-K Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames H through K has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index – Wareham Massachusetts

The Wareham Courier obituary index covers deaths reported from 1905-1918 and 1931-1998, with gaps due to a 1938 hurricane that destroyed some issues. Compiled by Betty Ames and Frances Florindo, and sponsored by the Wareham Free Library, the index categorizes names alphabetically. Early issues lacked a standard format, requiring thorough searches for death notices, some of which are marked as “N/L” for not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, E-G Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames E through G has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, C-D Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames C through D has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Courier Obituary Index, A-B Surnames

The Wareham Courier obituary index for surnames A through B has been compiled and edited with as much care as possible, though human error cannot be ruled out. Earlier issues lacked a standard obituary column, making it necessary to search entire issues for individual death notices. Many of these early pages were not numbered; such cases are marked in the index as “N/L,” meaning not listed. To make consultation easier, the index has been divided into sections according to the initial letter of the surname. The Wareham Courier was published in Wareham Massachusetts starting in 1898 and continues to the present day. These obituaries cover the years of 1905-1918 and 1931-1998.

Wareham Massachusetts Marriages and Intentions from Town Books 1 and 2

This document is a detailed genealogy listing, chronicling various families with marriages and marriage intentions in the town of Wareham, Massachusetts. It features official marriage records and intentions to marry from the 18th and 19th centuries. Each entry provides vital information for genealogy enthusiasts, including full names, dates of marriage, residences, the officiant and any comments noted by Richard Griffith.

Wareham Massachusetts Births and Deaths from Town Books 1 and 2

This document is a detailed genealogy listing, chronicling various families with birth dates and parentage. It features official birth and death records regarding individuals from the 18th and 19th centuries in Wareham, Massachusetts. Each entry provides vital information for genealogy enthusiasts, including full names, dates of birth, and parental details.

Wareham Massachusetts Vital Record Abstracts

Early vital statistics of Wareham, Massachusetts, recorded from 1739 to 1843, were preserved in two town record books. The first book, encompassing town proceedings and vital records, began in 1739 and continued until about 1805. A second volume, maintained until 1843, documented births, marriages, and deaths. These records, which were not published statewide, have been transcribed and indexed by the New England Historic Genealogical Society and Family Search. For modern genealogical research, Rev. Noble Warren Everett’s 1880 transcription serves as a principal reference. Consultation of original records is recommended due to potential transcription errors.