whar information is contained on a 1900 massachusetts marriage certificate?

Question

trying to research country of origin of my great grandparents from Finland. They settled in Gardner Massachusetts

Answer 1

I don't know what information is on the certificate. While there is one group that will expedite the certificate for a premium fee (and I have used them in a rush), you can simply contact the Massachusetts Vital Records Department. Here is the link:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Public+Health&L4=Programs+and+Services+K+-+S&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_vital_records_g_about&csid=Eeohhs2

Years Available

Vital Records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. Statewide collection began in 1841. Records for events that occurred from 1841-1915 are available at the State Archives [phone]. Earlier records may be available at the City or Town of Occurrence.

I don't know if you live in Massachusetts, but you can go to their offices and do your own research:

Genealogical Research
The offices of the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics are open to the public for research purposes. We are located at:

150 Mt. Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
Directions to the Offices.
Research Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The cost for research is $9.00/hour.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Public+Health&L4=Programs+and+Services+K+-+S&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_vital_records_g_about&csid=Eeohhs2

While I was retrieving information for you, I came across this site which also looks interesting:

http://www.cyndislist.com/ma.htm

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Didn't expect to see the sky fall. However, even though the state says there is, there are no gay marriages in Mass. Civil unions yes, but marriage is defined as the union between a man and a woman. The state can pass a law and call it that, the state could as well pass a law that says women are men--but the reality is--they aren't--the realtiy in mass. is that there are no gay marriages--civil unions yes--but gay couples do not have the requiste disparate plumbing for marriage.

Answer 4

Generally, you'll get the names of both bride and groom, the date and place of marriage, the occupations and residences of both bride and groom, the place of birth of bride and groom, the ages of both bride and groom, the names (and sometimes places of birth) of their parents, and the name of the officiant for the marriage.

All Massachusetts records pre-1910 are available from newenglandancestors.com ($75 annual fee) (from the "tan" books, pre 1850) and scanned copies of most originals from 1841-1910. Certified copies are also available for $3 each.

If you either edit your post or email me with your great-grandparents' names, I'll check the web-site for you.