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Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Genealogy, History & Facts

Suffolk County, Massachusetts Facts

When was Suffolk County, MA Created?
Suffolk County was founded on May 10, 1643 as one of four original counties created in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. .

What is the County Seat of Suffolk County, MA?
The County Seat is located in Boston and the county government was abolished on July 1, 1999

What counties are adjacent to Suffolk County, MA?
Bordering Counties are Essex CountyNorfolk CountyMiddlesex County.

Suffolk County, MA Vital Records

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

Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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.

Suffolk County, MA Census Records


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

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

Suffolk County, MA Courthouse and Government Records

Suffolk County Courthouse

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

Suffolk County, MA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

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

Suffolk Co. MA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Suffolk Co. MA Cemeteries & Church Records

Suffolk Co. MA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Suffolk Co. MA General and History Websites

Suffolk Co. MA Immigration & Naturalization

Suffolk Co. MA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Suffolk Co. MA Military Records

Suffolk Co. MA Schools & Directories