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Barnstable County, Massachusetts

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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Barnstable County was created on June 2, 1685 and was formed from Barnstable County of Plymouth Colony. The County was named for its county seat of Barnstable, which is named after the English town of Barnstaple. The County Seat is Barnstable .

Counties adjacent to Barnstable County are Plymouth County (west), Bristol County (west), Dukes County (south), Nantucket County.

Cities, Towns & Communities include: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Centerville, Chatham, East Falmouth, East Sandwich, Eastham, Falmouth, Forestdale, Harwich, Hyannis, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, North Eastham, North Falmouth, Orleans, Osterville, Provincetown, Sandwich, South Dennis, South Yarmouth, Teaticket, Truro, Wellfleet, West Barnstable, West Dennis, West Yarmouth and Yarmouth.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Massachusetts Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Fire destroyed nearly all the early deed books and probate files, but probate books survived. Although the official deed books only begin in 1827, many deeds were pre-recorded back to about 1783, though these are far from complete.

The Official County website is located at http://www.barnstablecounty.org/. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.For Town Records contact the Town Clerk (Helpful Telephone Listings for your City/Town Hall)

Barnstable County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1827 and is located at 3195 Main Street, PO Box 368, Barnstable, MA 02630; (508) 362-7733, (508) 362-5065 (FAX); Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM

Barnstable County Clerk of Probate Court has Probate Records from 1686 and is located at 3195 Main Street, PO Box 346, Barnstable, MA 02630; (508) 375-6725; Hours: M-F 8AM - 4PM

Probate records, including the administration of estates, probate of wills, and the appointment of guardians, have been under the jurisdiction of the courts since the 1630s. County courts and later, county judges of probate, were responsible for these functions until 1783, when the probate courts were established. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the probate and family courts were given jurisdiction over adoptions, divorces, name changes, and domestic relations.

Barnstable County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1686 and is located at 3195 Main St., P.O. Box 425, Barnstable, MA 02630; (508) 375-6684

Tax records can be found at both the local and state levels. Massachusetts State Archives has tax returns for 1768 and 1771 as well as incomplete tax valuations for 1775, 1776, 1777 and 1778. The Massachusetts State Library holds them for 1780, 1783, 1784, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1800, 1801, 1810, and 1811.

Earlier taxes for the towns exist as well. Other tax lists may still be available at the town office. The U.S. Direct Tax of 1798 for most counties remains extant. The surviving originals are at the New England Historic Genealogical Society and accessible on microfilm there and through the FHL

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Massachusetts

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st floor, Dorchester, MA 02125-3105; (617) 740-2600, Fax: (617) 825-7755. It can take up to 2 months to get a vital record from Massachusetts.

Vital Records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. Statewide collection began in 1841. Records for events that occurred from 1841-1915 are available at the State Archives (617) 727-2816. Earlier records may be available at the City or Town of Occurrence.

  • Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Massachusetts from 1916 to the present.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $28.00 per certificate by mail or $18.00 when ordered in Person. Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $28.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • In Person: The Registry counter is open to the public from Monday - Friday:  8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Directions - List of state holidays on which the office is closed. The cost for each certified copy of a record is $18.00 at the Registry counter which includes a ten-year search if the exact date and place of event is not known. Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.
    • Processing Time: 20-30 business days of receipt when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ONLINE BELOW
  • Divorce Certificates:The Registry also maintains an index of divorces from 1952 to the present. Copies of the divorce records are available from the probate court where the divorce was obtained.
    • Cost: Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 20-30 business days of receipt when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ONLINE BELOW
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Massachusetts

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

  Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Barnstable County, Massachusetts are 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Barnstable County, Massachusetts are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Massachusetts

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Maps. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Massachusetts

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Massachusetts Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Massachusetts

There are many churches and cemeteries in Barnstable County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Barnstable County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Massachusetts

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Barnstable County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Barnstable County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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