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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 1998-07 > 0900333488


From: Jeff Simonson <>
Subject: Re: Death certificate mixup
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 08:38:08 -0400


At 08:58 PM 13-07-98 +0900, you wrote:
>Got a real surprise in the mail, and I'm wondering if anyone can help me
>work this out. I had applied for the death certificate of my
>gggrandmother from the Natick City Clerk and I just received a document
>that has the correct name, correct date of death, but the remaining
>information is all incorrect.
> So, I'm wondering if someone could run a check for me on the
>following person, to find out what's up. According to a CD I came up
>with the correct information as follows:
>
>1889 Vol 401 Pg 190 May 31
>Mary J. Lane
>Age 76yr. 8mn
>H. John E.
>B. Portmouth NH
>F. John LaCoste B: France
>M: Hannah B: Portsmouth
>
>The certificate that I received has different parents, and birth
>location. In addition, I was informed that the death certificate of John
>E. Lane, her husband, who died sometime between 1855-1865
>does not exist. The clerk kindly copied the pages from the reference
>book, but beginning with 1875. Does anyone know if older records do
>exist? I am searching for the names of his parents and location of their
>births (John was born in Burlington, VT, abt1805-1810).
>
>I would greatly appreciate any information or suggestions you might
>have.Thanks much.
>
>Steve
>
>

Steve,

There are state copies of all Mass. vital records from @1841 to 1905 at the
Massachusetts Archives. The Department of Health (DPH) has copies of all
Mass. vitals from 1906 to the present. You may want to double check what
the state copy states on Mary Lane. As for her husband, his death
certificate (register) should also be at the Mass. Archives. It's possible
he did not die in the city of Natick. The indexes at both the Archives and
DPH are statewide. This makes locating vital records "easier" if you don't
know the town or city.

You can read more Mass. about vital records at my web page:

http://www.mass-doc.com/vital_records_research.htm

As for records in Vermont, the archives are located in Middlebury - just
outside of Montpelier. Their records do go back beyond the date you're
looking for, but bear in mind that early records are spotty and incomplete.
I don't have the web address but you should be able to find it on any
search engine.

Kind Regards,

Jeff Simonson

Massachusetts Genealogical & Investigative Research Services
Boston, Massachusetts USA
http://www.mass-doc.com

Voice: (617) 249-0323
Fax: (617) 249-0325
E-mail:

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