Genealogical Research

Vital records (births, marriages, deaths) have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. 

Hanover Records (1727-1840)

Hanover's collection of vital records begins in 1727, the year of our incorporation. Statewide collection began in 1841, so Hanover-based records from 1727-1841 are only available in Hanover. You can read and research those records online in Dwelley. Certified abstracted copies of Hanover records from 1727-1840 are only available from the Town of Hanover for $10 each (please allow a month's fulfillment time because generous volunteers do the work with varying work schedules).

Additionally, some records were kept by the Congregational Church and are not in the custody of the Town. You can read and research those records online in Briggs, Volume 1 (1728-1756) or Briggs, Volume 2 (1756-1818). Certified copies of these records are not available from the Town of Hanover.

Hanover Records (1841-1930)

Records for births, marriages, or deaths that occurred from 1841-1930 are available at the State Archives or in Hanover (the latter only if the subject was a Hanover resident or the birth or death event, or the marriage intentions filing occurred in Hanover). The State Archives is located at 220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125. They may be reached by calling 617-727-2816. You may search their indexes in person after registering as a researcher, copy microfilmed original documents (also after registering), or research online. Certified copies of their records are available from the Archives by request for $3 each. Those same records cost $10 each in Hanover, so the State Archives is the better deal!

Dwelley covers years ranging from 1727 to 1857, which overlaps the 1841-1930 records discussed under this heading. Certified copies of all of the 1841-1930 records are available from the Town of Hanover for $10 each (please allow a month's fulfillment time because generous volunteers do the work with varying work schedules).

Hanover Records (1931-Present)

The Registry of Vital Records maintains the original birth, death, and marriage records that have occurred in Massachusetts from 1931 to the present. The Registry of Vital Records is located at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. They may be reached by calling 617-740-2600. You may search their online, microfilm, and paper indexes in person during limited hours and for a fee of $9 per hour. You may also submit records requests on the same day/over the counter for certified copies for $20 per copy. Certified copies of Hanover residents’ records that occurred from 1931 to the present may be obtained for $10 each. Please fill out a request form and provide all related requested information. Please follow our Birth and Death or Marriage resources for additional information regarding these current records.

In the case of birth or death records, the city or town of occurrence will also have a certified copy; you can go to that city or town and get same-day service when they are open.

Online requests for records from 1931 to the present can also be processed for an additional fee through a service called VitalChek.

Resources