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Franklin 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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Franklin County was created on 24 June 1811 (Chapter 61, Acts of 1811) and was formed from Hampshire County. The County was named for Benjamin Franklin who was born and raised in Massachusetts.. The County Seat is Greenfield . The County Government was abolished on July 1, 1997

Though Franklin County still remains, the county governmenthas been "abolished", their offices being put under the direction of certain state offices. Example: the Registry of Deeds offices in abolished counties are now under the direction of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office; Sheriffs and jails are under the Secretary of Public Safety.

Counties adjacent to Franklin County are Windham County, Vermont (north), Cheshire County, New Hampshire (northeast), Worcester County (east), Hampshire County (south), Berkshire County (west).

Cities, Towns & Communities include: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Millers Falls, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne Falls, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, Sunderland, Turners Falls, Warwick, Wendell and Whately.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

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

The Official County website is located at http://www.co.franklin.ma.us/. 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)

Franklin County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1787 and is located at 425 Main Street, P.O. Box 1495, Greenfield, MA 01301; (413) 772-0239 , (413) 774-7150 (FAX); Hours: Monday - Friday 9AM - 3PM. Earlier deeds for land now in Franklin County are at Springfield (Hampden County). Abstracts of these deeds recorded at the Springfield registry from 1663-1786 are at Greenfield. Deeds for 1787 to present are in Greenfield, although between 1787-1812 they were recorded at the Deerfield registry, which was transfered to Greenfield in 1812.

Franklin County Clerk of Probate Court has Probate Records from 1812 and is located at 425 Main St., P.O. Box 590, Greenfield, MA 01302; (413) 774-7011 (413) 774-7012, Fax (413) 774-3829
Probates before 1812 for towns now in Franklin County are at Northampton (Hampshire County).

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.

Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1812 and is located at 425 Main Street, P.O. Box 1573, Greenfield, MA 01302; (413) 774-5535 x248

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 Franklin County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Franklin 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 Franklin County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Franklin 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 Franklin County, Massachusetts are 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 inFranklin 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 Franklin County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Franklin 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 Franklin County Maps. Email us with websites containing Franklin 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 Franklin County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Franklin 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 Franklin County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Franklin County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Submit a website for Franklin Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Ashfield Historical Society, Main Street, Ashfield, MA 01330; 413-628-4541
    Ten rooms of Ashfield memorabilia. The main exhibition hall is a re-creation of a general store, circa 1850. Exhibits include more than 23,000 glass plate negatives taken between 1882 and 1907 by the well-known Howes brothers of Ashfield. There are also exhibits of early Ashfield industries, 19th century period rooms, children's room, military display and memorabilia of famous Ashfield residents. A barn houses many relics of early rural life. Open June through August, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Columbus Day weekend, during special events and by appointment.
  • Bernardston Historical Society, Powers Institute, Church Street, Bernardston, MA 01337; 413-648-9600; The building once housed Powers Institute, which was founded in 1857 and includes memorabilia from the school. The collection also includes farm and household tools, textiles and a Lumen Nelson collection of small animals and birds. Open during summer months, Sundays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., or by appointment.
  • Buckland Historical Society, Upper Street, Buckland, MA 01338; 413-625-6619, 413-625-9763
    Displays include early kitchen furniture, tools and photographs of local school groups. Open first and third Sundays of July and August, first Sunday in September 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Also open by appointment.
  • Charlemont Historical Society, Town Hall, second floor, Main Street, Charlemont, MA 01339; 413-339-4947
    Collection includes early household items, schoolbooks, desks, horse treadmill, microfilm of David Malcolm's publications "Hilltown Neighbors," country store articles, records of the town, its churches and Deerfield Valley Agricultural Society. Open Saturdays July & August, or by appointment.
  • Colrain Historical Society, Main Street, Colrain, MA 01340; 413-624-3710
    Collection illustrates a variety of life-styles from the many villages making up the town of Colrain. Also featured are books and papers on Colrain history. Open by appointment and during the Coleraine Village Fair (October).
  • Conway Historical Society, Main Street, Conway, MA 01341
    Features a notable collection of items from Conway's cutlery and tool factories, woolen mills and shoe factories. Open July through Labor Day weekend on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.
  • Erving House Museum, located in the old fire station, Route 2, Erving, MA 01344; 978-544-6339 or 978-544-3705
    The exhibits reflect the development of Erving as a major industrial town, large collection of photographs and scrapbooks in four rooms. There is an 1890-1900 kitchen, living room and parlor that reflects the life-style of the period. Open in July and August, one day a weeks, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Gill Historical Society, located in the former Riverside School, Route 2, Gill, MA 01376; 413-863-2505
    Consisting of two rooms, it features many reminders of the town's history, including photographs, ice cutting implements, farm implements, and old newspapers. Among the photographs is the famous shoot of the science building burning at Mount Hermon School while a football game is being played. Open by appointment.
  • Historical Society of Greenfield, Corner of Church and Union Streets, PO Box 415, Greenfield, MA 01302; 413-774-3663
    Lectures every third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; free and open to the public.
  • Heath Historical Society, Heath, MA 01346; 413-337-4980
    Located in two buildings in the center of town: the old townhouse and the old schoolhouse. The exhibits represent a broad range of Heath's past. Open by appointment.
  • Leverett Historical Society, Moore's Corner Schoolhouse, North Leverett Rd., Leverett, MA 01054; 413-367-2800, 413-548-9082
    Open during summer months or by appointment. The first floor features a schoolhouse exhibit. There are also artifacts from the former mills and shops, and scrapbooks and photos from the childhood days of newspaper columnist Ruby Hemenway.
  • Montague Historical Society,
    July's exhibit will feature Montague schools.... and that means the five villages - Turners Falls, Millers Falls, Montague City, Montague Center and Lake Pleasant. August will feature photos and slides of old homes.
  • Swift River Valley Historical Society, 40 Elm Street, New Salem, MA 01355; 978-544-6882
    Photographs and memorabilia offer a look at the history of the four towns that were flooded to create the Quabbin Reservoir, as well as portions of New Salem that were lost. Displays include a fire truck, circa 1920, from the town of Dana and the New Salem guide post from the 1850s. The buildings housing the exhibits are historical structures. Open July and August, Wednesday and Sunday 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; September to mid-October, Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Northfield Historical Society, 13 Pine Street, PO Box 131, Northfield, MA 01360; 413-498-4338
    Displays three centuries of toys, art, textiles and other items owned by Northfield families. Special programs offered. Hours varied. Call for appointment.
  • Orange Historical Society, 41 North Main Street, Orange, MA 01364; 978-544-6286
    Housed in a Victorian home and is furnished in that period. Included are a special children's room, military room and alumni room. Barn exhibits include a fire pumper, steam automobile (circa 1904) made in Orange by the Grout brothers and other industrial items. Open Sunday and Wednesday, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Kemp-McCarthy Memorial Museum of the Rowe Historical Society, Zoar Road, Rowe, MA 01367; 413-339-4700, 413-625-6807
    There eight rooms of artifacts and memorabilia of Rowe from over 300 friends of the town. The collection includes Rowe's last horse-drawn hearse. Open Sundays, first Sunday of July through third Sunday of October from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Open by appointment at other times, contact Alan Bjork 413-339-4700. Special tours for groups of 10 or more can be arranged.
  • Shelburne Historical Society, Arms Academy building, corner Maple & Church Streets, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370; 413-625-2026
    Collection dates from 1700's to present. There is also a library with a number of New England Genealogical volumes. Open second Sunday in July, August, September and October from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Warwick Historical Society, Athol Road, Warwick, MA 01378; 978-544-3461, 978-544-3628
    Collection includes picture albums, furniture, relics from local industries such as glass and boot factories, a "scythe tree" with a fascinating story, the diary or a Warwick minister from the 1700s and a pump log used in the early 1880s. Open July and August, Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., or by appointment.
  • Whately Historical Society, located in former Center School, Chestnut Plain Road, Whately, MA 01093
    The exhibits include memorabilia and crockery made by Whately residents in the 1800's. Open Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • National Archives - Northeast Region, Boston, Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center, 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02452-6399; Phone: (781) 663-0130, Fax: (781) 663-0154, E-mail: waltham.archives@nara.gov (Serves Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.)
  • Commonwealth Museum and State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125; (617) 727-2816, fax 288-8429. As the Massachusetts State Archives, the repository holds all state copies of vital records (1841-95); passenger lists for the Port of Boston (1848-91); federal census records (state copies, 1850-70, with 1880 on microfilm) with all supplemental federal schedules and state censuses for 1855 and 1865; legislative records from the General Court with land grants, petitions, tax records (1643-1787); Eastern land records for the settlement of Maine; human service institution records,; all military records for the state through the Revolution; records of human services institutions; and Judicial Archives beginning with colony era courts to mid-nineteenth century courts.
  • Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215; Main number: (617) 536-1608. Although not a genealogical library, the collection includes rare books, personal papers, manuscripts, particularly the Thwing Collection of Early Bostonians, and rare books focusing particularly on Boston, Massachusetts and New England.
  • State Library of Massachusetts, 341 State House, Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133; Ph: 617.727.2590. Its genealogical collection includes extensive newspaper collections and indexes; town and county histories; town and county maps and atlases; and city directories back to 1787.
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Massachusetts Library Directory
  • Massachusetts Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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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 Franklin County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Franklin County Tombstone Transcription Project.

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

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