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Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Genealogy, History & Facts

Barnstable County, Massachusetts Facts

When was Barnstable County, MA Created?
Barnstable County was founded on June 2, 1685 as one of three original counties created in the Plymouth Colony.

What is the County Seat of Barnstable County, MA?
The County Seat is located in Barnstable and the county government website is http://www.barnstablecounty.org/

What counties are adjacent to Barnstable County, MA?
Bordering Counties are Plymouth CountyBristol CountyDukes CountyNantucket County.

Barnstable County, MA Vital Records

Where can find Barnstable County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Barnstable County vital records can be found at the Massachusetts Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Massachusetts for current fees and application process. Vital Records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. Statewide collection began in 1841. There is a fee for each copy requested. Records for events that occurred from 1841-1910 are available at the State Archives.

Barnstable County Town Clerks has copies of vital records (birth, marriage, divorce and death records). Clerks respond to inquiries regarding vital records, since most have indexes available.

You can search online for Barnstable County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Massachusetts Birth CertificateMarriage CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Barnstable County, MA Census Records


What Barnstable County, MA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Barnstable County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1790-189019001910192019301940.

Barnstable Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Barnstable Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Barnstable Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be found for 1890.

Massachusetts state censuses exist for the years 1855 and 1865. There is free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Massachusetts Census Records Research Guide

Barnstable County, MA Courthouse and Government Records

Barnstable County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Barnstable County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Barnstable County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Massachusetts courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Massachusetts residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Barnstable County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Massachusetts Corthouse Records Research Guide.

Barnstable County, MA Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Barnstable County, MA?
A list of Barnstable County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Massachusetts Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Barnstable County, MA Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Barnstable County, MA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Barnstable County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some call for a cost. This is just a collection which has been compiled or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site above another.

Barnstable Co. MA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Barnstable Co. MA Cemeteries & Church Records

Barnstable Co. MA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Barnstable Co. MA General and History Websites

Barnstable Co. MA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Barnstable Co. MA Military Records

Barnstable Co. MA Schools & Directories