I want to find old vital records from the towns of Charlestown & Roxbury. Because both were annexed to Boston, would I have to go through the city clerk in Boston to find these records? The archives did not have some of the ones I am looking for. They are from the early 1840's.

Answer:

The original records of the annexed towns are housed by the Boston Registrar in the basement at Boston City Hall. The "archives" had been only open on Tuesdays and there was a $10 charge to search. Not sure of current policy. You should call to verify hours, etc.

City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201

Telephone: (617) 635.4175 Facsimile: (617) 635.3775

Email:: registry@ci.boston.ma.us

Mass VR before 1850

Its there a set of books prior to 1850 of Vital Records for Massachusetts Towns?

Answer:

Most every Massachusetts Public Library was given a complete set of brown bound Vital Records prior to 1850 which are still located in most public Libraries.

What newspaper(s) of 1864 may have carried the death of a Civil War veteran from Foxboro (Foxborough). There were so many small ones that were published. I was thinking mabey one in Attleboro or one in Wrentham.

Answer:

If I were looking for Civil War-era obituaries for the Attleboro-Wrentham area, I would pursue one of the following options.

The war predates either the Attleboro Sun or North Attleboro Chronicle but I would check the library in both towns for microfilm of earlier publications. I feel quite certain there were some but have never had the occasion to check it out.

I referenced my directory of United States Newspapers in the Boston Public Library archives and they do not list any microfilms in their posession on Attleboro, North Attleboro or Wrentham newspapers publishing during the Civil War.

The Eagle and Flag in Foxboro published nine issues starting January 1, 1863, followed by the Norfolk County Chronicle, same year, with 16 issues. Both are available on microfilm at Boyden Library, Foxboro.

The Dedham Transcript, which carried considerable regional news, was publishing. Micros available at Dedham Historical Society.

The Boston Evening Journal probably carried the most Civil War news including first-person accounts from persons in the front lines (and occasional contrasting dispatches from Southern newspapers). Available at Boston Public Library.

The publication Massachusetts in the Army and Navy 1861-1865 Vol. I lists those who died from wounds, giving a few details on where wounded, when, etc.It also gives a brief history of the 18th which I don't believe had a regimental history published.