Genealogy Research in New England During the Pandemic: What’s Open? How is the Records Access?

I haven’t been out much during these last five or six months to research in-person.  Most of my personal genealogy work has been online, or some day trips to quiet cemeteries where no one else was visiting.  However, as I get braver about venturing outside safely, this is what I learned about some local genealogy repositories.  Caveat: Please contact these locations for the latest information about their hours and availability during the pandemic. Things sometimes change overnight, and may not be reflected in this blog post!

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American Antiquarian Society https://www.americanantiquarian.org/ :

185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts (508) 755-5221

Closed to the public until further notice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Canadian Genealogical Society  https://acgs.org/ :

Recently relocated to 1 Sundial Avenue, Suite 317N, Manchester, New Hampshire (603) 622-1554 and reposed as of June 24^th to the public.  The library is open on two shifts per day, and patrons can sign up for the 8 spaces available for each shift.  Reservations are no longer required, but with the limit call the librarian to make sure there is a place for you. Masks required by visitors and volunteers, see this page for safety guidelines https://acgs.org/acgs-library-reopening/   One major change outlined on this page is that all books that have been used will be quarantined for 72 hours before the librarians put them back on the shelves. This could be problematic for anyone wanting a certain book upon arriving at the library. Use the website or call to make a reservation in advance.  Members are free, and the non-member day fee is $10.  You may become a member when you come in to visit. The website contains links to much information, but most is available to members only.

Boston Public Library  https://www.bpl.org/resources/genealogy/   :

700 Boylston Street (Central Library), Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 536-5400 email ask@bpl.org

Available only for patron pickup of items during limited hours at the current time.

Connecticut Historical Society  https://chs.org/  :

One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 236-5621

Researchers by appointment only at the Waterman Research Center. Free to members, or $12 for non-members. Public access is restricted due to a renovation project. Call at least 2 weeks prior to your visit at ext. 228. 

Connecticut Society of Genealogists Library https://ctfamilyhistory.com/  :

175 Maple Street, East Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 569-0002

The library opened to a limited capacity on July 7^th by appointment only.  Please call ahead, masks must be worn. 

Connecticut State Library https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/home :

231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 757-6500

Closed until further notice.

Maine Historical Society https://www.mainehistory.org/ :

489 Congress Street, Portland, Maine  (207) 774-1822

Research by appointment only Wednesdays to Saturdays 1pm – 4pm.  Members free, non members $10 a day. See this webpage for more information:  https://www.mainehistory.org/library_visit.shtml 

Massachusetts State Archives https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/ :

220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 727-2816 or fax (617) 288-8429

The research area is open with regular hours, but call ahead to find out if what you need is available and the staff will determine if they can assist you remotely before you come in.  Reference phone: (617) 727-2816 or email archives@sec.state.ma.us  Updated COVID-19 policies are on this page:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/covid-19/covid-19.htm 

Massachusetts Historical Society https://www.masshist.org/ :

1154 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 536-1608

The MHS library is currently closed until further notice.  The reference team is available to assist you remotely.  Please see this page for more information:  https://www.masshist.org/library/visit  The MHS has been holding several online events every month, and their card catalog is online.

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics

150 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 740-2600 

There are limited in-person services at the Mass. VRs.  The Public Research Room is closed. They are taking mail and web requests, and limited counter service, see this page for details:  https://www.mass.gov/alerts/massachusetts-registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics-rvrs-covid-19-update#1459986

Mayflower Society Library https://www.themayflowersociety.org/visit/gsmd-library :

4 Winslow Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts (508) 746-3188, ext. 11 or email the librarian library@themayflowersociety.org  or support@themayflowersociety.org  The research library is closed to the public until further notice. The staff will be working remotely from home with limited access to the library materials.  Usually it is open to the public by reservation.  Free to members, $5 research fee for non-members. Copies of approved lineage papers can be purchased for $10. 

National Archives at Boston (NARA)  https://www.archives.gov/boston :

380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts  (866) 406-2379

The research room is closed currently.  You may experience a very long delay to your requests and Freedom of Information Act requests or appeals.  https://www.archives.gov/boston/research There are many online research tools available.

New England Historic Genealogical Society https://www.americanancestors.org  :

99 – 101 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts, (888) 296 – 3447

The library and archives in Boston remain closed to the public until further notice.  Members may use the website to access databases online.  There are many virtual events being held online for the general public, see this link:  https://www.americanancestors.org/education/online-classes

New Hampshire Historical Society Library  https://www.nhhistory.org/

30 Park Street, Concord, New Hampshire  (603) 228-6688

The library is now open by advance appointment for research on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm.  Free to members, $7 for adult nonmembers. See this webpage about the new safety measures: https://www.nhhistory.org/Research/Using-the-Library  or email research@nhhistory.   The society also offers librarians who available for information  by email or phone, and also research services for a fee. 

New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds  https://www.nhdeeds.org/

Effective June 18, 2020 The registries of deeds are open to the public.  Face masks are encouraged, or required and available upon request.  Each county registry has different safety requirements, and limits on the number or individuals allowed access to the records, please check the website. 

New Hampshire State Library  https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/ :

The state library is open to the public by appointment only, with safety measures in place until further notice.  Appointments are for 30 minute and 60 minute sessions only.  See the website for more information.  The statewide interlibrary loan program is suspended for the time being.

New Hampshire Vital Records and Archives https://sos.nh.gov/archives-vital-records-records-management/archives/genealogy/ :

9 Ratification Way (Formerly 71 South Fruit Street), Concord, New Hampshire, 603-271-3242.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Archives and Vital Records are closed to walk in traffic.  The public is encouraged to use the website.  You may call 603-271-2236 with urgent business or email info@sos.nh.gov 

Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum https://www.pem.org/visit/library  :

306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, Massachusetts

Only three researchers are allowed in the reading room each day, and appointments are required by contacting research@pem.org 

See this blog post for more information:

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2018/07/genealogy-research-at-phillips-library.html

The Rhode Island Historical Society   https://www.rihs.org/ :

10 Benevolent Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 331-8575

The Robinson Research Center has reopened to the public by reservation only.  Free to Rhode Island residents, $8 to non residents ($5 for students and seniors).  Please contact the staff reference@rihs.org

Rhode Island State Archives  https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/state-archives :

33 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2353 statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Closed to the public.  Archivists will provide reference and general assistance by phone and email.  Some resources are online. 

Rhode Island State Library  https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/Civics-And-Education/state-library :

82 Smith Street, Room 208, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2473

The state house is closed to the public, including the state library.  Librarians will provide reference and general assistance by phone and email. Some resources are available digitally through the online catalog.  Email statelibrary@sos.ri.gov

Rhode Island Vital Records https://health.ri.gov/records/ :

Rhode Island has changed some service, and closed some walk-in service, so please check this webpage for more information: https://health.ri.gov/about/customer-services-updates.php   They recommend using VitalChek for online ordering of vital records. 

UNH Dimond Library

18 Library Way, Durham, New Hampshire  (603) 862-1535

All UNH library locations are currently closed.  See this page for updates and resources you can access remotely:  https://www.library.unh.edu/news/covid-19

Vermont Historical Society Leahy Library https://vermonthistory.org/leahy-library/  :

60 Washington Street, Suite 1, Barre, Vermont  (802) 479-8509

Open by appointment only.  See this page for COVID-19 safety procedures:  https://vermonthistory.org/leahy-library-covid-19-procedures

Vermont Vital Records and Archives   https://sos.vermont.gov/vsara/about/hours-directions/  :

1078 Route 2, Montpelier, Vermont (802) 863-3208 or email vitalrecords@vermont.gov  or sos.archives@vermont.gov

The vital records office is currently closed to walk-in services, but curbside services may be arranged in advance. The reference room is available by appointment for researching records in the state archives https://sos.vermont.gov/vsara/research/ 

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Cite/Link to:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Genealogy Research in New England During the Pandemic:  What’s Open? How is the Records Access?", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 17, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/genealogy-research-in-new-england.html: accessed [access date]).