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Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Genealogy, History & Facts

Berkshire County, Massachusetts Facts

When was Berkshire County, MA Created?
Berkshire County was founded on April 21, 1761 from Hampshire County.

What is the County Seat of Berkshire County, MA?
The County Seat is located in Pittsfield and the county government was abolished on July 1, 2000

What counties are adjacent to Berkshire County, MA?
Bordering Counties are Bennington County, Vermont, Franklin CountyHampshire CountyHampden CountyLitchfield County, Connecticut, Columbia County, New York, Rensselaer County, New York.

Berkshire County, MA Vital Records

Where can find Berkshire County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Berkshire 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.

Berkshire 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 Berkshire 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.

Berkshire County, MA Census Records


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

Berkshire Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Berkshire Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Berkshire 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

Berkshire County, MA Courthouse and Government Records

Berkshire County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Berkshire County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Berkshire 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 Berkshire 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.

Berkshire County, MA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

What other genealogical resources are available in Berkshire County, MA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Berkshire 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.

Berkshire Co. MA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Berkshire Co. MA Cemeteries & Church Records

Berkshire Co. MA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Berkshire Co. MA General and History Websites

Berkshire Co. MA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Berkshire Co. MA Military Records

Berkshire Co. MA Schools & Directories