Genealogy Resources

Every year the Town Archives receives many requests from people researching their family history and possible ties to Concord. The resources below are both primary and secondary sources of Vital Records recorded by the various Town Clerks of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. To purchase a certified copy of any of these entries, please contact the Town Clerk's Office or order online (select Vital Records)

CR1

Births, Marriages, and Deaths | Concord, Massachusetts [Transcription] 1635-1850 

Sometimes referred to as the "gold book", this volume was created following a Town Meeting vote in 1891 "that a committee of five persons be appointed by the moderator, who should procure the printing of the Town's ancient registers of births, marriages, and deaths". Transcribing the volumes below as well as other sources such as the County and Church records this volume is typically the best place to start for researchers as it is comprehensive, typed (searchable), and indexed. 

When using this resource, it is important to remember that as a transcription it is possible that errors were made from the original. In order to have a certified copy made, the same entry will need to be confirmed in the original volumes below. 




Concord Vital Register I - Births, Deaths, and Marriages (1649-1718)

The earliest surviving volume of vital records was begun by Robert Meriam, Town Clerk from 1654 to 1668, and continued by John Scotchford, his successor in that office from 1668 to 1680.


VR01
VR01-00

Concord Vital Register II - Births, Deaths, and Marriages (1681-1831)

The second volume of vital records was recorded primarily by Thomas Brown was chosen Town Clerk in 1689, and served until 1701, when Abraham Wood succeeded him and held the office for three years. From 1704 to 1710 Thomas Brown again held the office, and was followed by William Wilson, who served until 1719.


Concord Vital Register III - Births (1765-1843), Deaths (1775-1844), Marriages (1788-1844), and Marriage Intentions (1780-1887)

The third volume of vital records is arranged in a more orderly manner than the two preceding volumes, being divided into four sections. 

VR03