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Find Your Roots at Norfolk (Massachusetts) Registry of Deeds

1 Aug 2024 9:42 AM | Anonymous

Accessing databases for genealogical research has gotten a little easier,, thanks to the Norfolk Registry of Deeds new History Come Alive program.

The registry has recently dedicated bank of computers for free genealogical use to the public, dubbed the Genealogy Research and Resource Center.

“The Registry is excited to offer this research service. As we all know, interest in genealogy is growing by leaps and bounds. According to an ABC News report it is now ranked the second most popular hobby. Another survey indicated that approximately 4 out of 5 people want to explore their genealogical roots,” said Register William O’Donnell.

The Register noted that the genealogical workstations at the Registry contain the popular database Ancestry.com, American Ancestors, and the digital records from the Massachusetts Archives, with more to come.

“Besides this wealth of information, the Registry has more than 13 million land-related documents to explore dating back to 1793 when Norfolk County was created through an act of the legislature and signed into law by Governor John Hancock. These records include deeds, liens, foreclosures, mortgages, conveyances, trusts, and mortgage discharges.

“Today thanks to cutting-edge technology, we have taken genealogical research one step further. Our transcription program, the first of any Registry of Deeds in New England, has taken Registry documents written in hard-to-read cursive penmanship by quivers from 1793 to 1900 and transcribed them into clearly readable print,” O’Donnel said l.

This transcription project of over 4500,000 recorded legal land documents was part of the “History Comes Alive” Program.

“It is the Registry’s vision,” O’Donnell said , “that we will continue to take steps in building up our genealogy program including holding public seminars, publishing articles of note on social media, and adding to our database. After all, learning more about ourselves can just be a few clicks away.”

If you would like to use the free genealogy database, please drop by the Registry of Deeds located at 649 High Street, Dedham, or call 781-234-3305 to reserve a time.

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