Massachusetts Court Records - Getting Ahead With Your Research

Sometimes, searching for Massachusetts court records can be a daunting task. RecordsSiteReviews takes the headache out of searching for such records by providing you with valuable information and important Massachusetts court records links below.

Aside from the Internet, people can also turn to court records in Massachusetts and elsewhere for some genealogy answers. Sure, court records count among the tougher documents to research, but sometimes the results you obtain will surprise you. Court records can yield distinctive pieces that can aid in solving family tree puzzles.

Different Ways to Access MA Court Records

Finding your way through piles and piles of dusty Massachusetts court records can be a nightmare. It can even reach a point where you're so frustrated you want to abandon the search altogether – but don't. There are lots to be gained from trudging onward and continuing with the search for more detailed information.

It's not uncommon to get lost with all the paperwork and court records. But don't let this discourage you. When it comes to dealing with MA court records or some other state, sometimes all you need is a gentle nudge in the right direction.

People generally have three ways of accessing court records in Massachusetts, Kentucky, Minnesota or any other state.

·         Actual records location – For most areas within the US, this would mean the county courthouses. A lot of court records facilities lack the staff to conduct in-depth research services. If you can't pay the court records warehouse or facility a personal visit, you might have to hire researchers to look at the court papers for you.

·         Published court records – Some Massachusetts court records and other states have been written down or transcribed and successfully published. The bulk of published court records usually consist of court documentation prior to the onset of the American Revolution. Court records after 1850 have for the most part not been published. In addition, some of the published court records are simply extractions or abstracts, not verbatim transcripts.

·         Microfilm court records – Some US states have filmed their court records. Keep in mind though that not all counties have filmed their records. For instance, order and court record books could've been filmed but the court records packets weren't. Family History libraries might contain collections of court records that have been put in microfilm. But don't assume that you've accessed all court records in existence. There could still be some un-filmed court records in their original repositories. Consider making photocopies of relevant indexes for further analyses and research at home.

There's a lot to be learned from rifling through mounds of MA court records or some other place. Such records could provide useful clues that could help get people that much closer to completing their family tree research.
 

Massachusetts Court Records Websites 

Massachusetts Court System

Plymouth County Probate and Family Court

Selected Court Opinions  

A Selection of Massachusetts County Courthouses You Can Visit 

Barnstable County
3195 Main St., Rm 6A
Barnstable, MA 02630-3195
Telephone: (508) 362-2511

Berkshire County
44 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Telephone: (413) 442-6941

Bristol County
11 Court St.
P.O. Box 567
Taunton, MA 02780
Telephone: (508) 824-4004

Dukes County
P.O. Box 237
Edgartown, MA 02539
Telephone: (508) 627-4703

Essex County
36 Federal St.
Salem, MA 01970
Telephone: (508) 741-0200

Franklin County
P.O. Box 1495
Greenfield, MA 01302-1495
Telephone: (413) 772-0239

Hampden County
50 Stable St.
Springfield, MA 01102-0559
Telephone: (413) 748-8600

Hampshire County Registry of Deeds
33 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060-3298
Telephone: (413) 584-3637

Middlesex County
40 Thorndike St.
E. Cambridge, MA 02141
Telephone: (617) 494-4003

Nantucket County
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
Telephone: (508) 228-7216

Norfolk County
649 High St.
Dedham, MA 02026
Telephone: (617) 461-6100

Plymouth County
P.O. Box 3640
Plymouth, MA 02361
Telephone: (508) 747-6204

Suffolk County
City Hall
Room 601
Boston, MA 02101-1706
Telephone: (617) 635-4600

For Suffolk County birth, death, and marriage records, use
One City Hall Sqare
Room 213
Boston, MA 02201
Telephone: (617) 635-4175

Worchester County
City Hall, Room 206
455 Main St.
Worchester, MA 01608
Telephone: (508) 799-1126