Question: Recently becoming a genealogist I have a question about Massachusetts marriage records. I found the 1872 marriage of my ancestors in Boston, will I find more information on the original marriage record from the city of Boston?
Answer: A copy of the marriage record from the city clerk’s office in Boston was returned at the end of each year to the Secretary of State’s Office starting 1841. This annual copy is what NEHGS offers to member online, and is the state return. The original church record from the clergyman may contain additional facts, most important would be the witnesses. Using Boston city directories you can determine the officiating clergyman’s associated church or synagogue. This will be the first step in locating the church records, please let me know if you have any further questions.