The first settlers of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, apparently arrived before 1655 from Concord and Woburn. Surrounding towns now include Lowell, Billerica, Carlisle, Westford, and Tyngsborough.

Chelmsford Town Records 1650-1750. [Book A.] About 404 pages.
Referenced as a transcript of the First Book of Records, this old volume includes minutes of town meeting, perambulations, and town orders; as well as, records of fence viewers, proprietors, land, highways, births, deaths, and marriages. Dates in the First Book (now titled as volumes 1, 2, and 3 of Proprietors Records) range only from 1658-1729, however, while these in Book A extend to 1777. Perhaps Book A's entries after 1729 are original records--or come from a Second Book of Records. On page 159, notice usual town business on 25 December 1708. Except for the indexes, ink is bright.

Topical Indexes ca 1653-1750

FICHE 1

Town Records 1741, 1654-1669; p 1, 31-33

FICHE 1

Births 1653-1695, pp 2-19

FICHE 1

Deaths 1657-1693, pp 20-22

FICHE 1

Marriages 1656-1692, pp 23-30

FICHE 1

Town Records 1656-1699; pp 34-89

FICHE 2

Index by Name & Topic [Part A], pp 90-97

FICHE 8

Land Records 1659-1715, 1727; pp 98-153

FICHE 3

Land Records 1659, 1664, 1678-1729; pp 154-213

FICHE 4

Land Records 1662, 1705-1727; pp 214-273

FICHE 5

Land Records 1700, 1705, 1712-1727; pp 274-321

FICHE 6

Births 1662-1717, pp 322-344

FICHE 7

Deaths 1692-1710, pp 345-348

FICHE 7

Marriages 1676, 1695-1711; pp 349-352

FICHE 7

Land Records 1718-1730, 1746-1760; pp 353-371

FICHE 7

Land Records 1720-1733, 1742, 1760-1777; pp 373-391

FICHE 8

Marriages 1760, 1770-1773; pp 372, 392-393

FICHE 8

Publishments 1774-1777, pp 395-ca 402

FICHE 8

Legal Document 1764, pp ca 403-404

FICHE 8

Index by Name & Topic [Part B]

FICHE 8

Index by Name & Topic [Part A], pp 90-97

FICHE 8

Chelmsford Proprietors Records [1653-1699+]. Vol 1. About 200 pages.
Volume 1 is unusual for a record of proprietors because it doesn't seem to identify many land owners. Further, it appears to be a part of the First Book of Records. Worn pages, old-style writing, and bleeding ink make some reading difficult. Look for periodic lists of the towns' inhabitants and a few "warnings out." Note births, marriages and deaths at the end of the book. For a transcript, see Book A. Numbers hide on most of the first 20 or so pages, and then begin with 100; other missing or blank pages include 161-169, 190-199, and 206-209.

Town Records 1660-1673,1690/1,1721; pp ca 1-20, 100-121

FICHE 9

Town Records 1674-1693; pp 122-160, 170-181

FICHE 10

Town Records 1658-1669, 1687-1699, 1705; pp 182-234+

FICHE 11

Births, Marriages & Deaths ca 1653-1695, abt 30 pp

FICHE 12

Misc. Town Records 1690-1699, abt 6 pp

FICHE 12

Chelmsford Proprietor Records [1661-1715]. Vol 2. 47 pages.
Volume 2 is unusual for a record of proprietors because it doesn't seem to identify many land owners. Further, it was once combined and indexed with Volume 3 (below) into a single book of about 317 pages. When the combined volumes 2 and 3 are placed with Volume 1, the three books appear to be the First Book of Records. Old-style handwriting, occasional light ink, and worn index characterize the records. To find lightly penciled page numbers on pages 1-22, look on some right hand pages, 1-2 inches up from bottom and 1/2" from center of page; on subsequent pages, brighter numbers, sometimes conflicting, show in upper left hand corners. For a transcript, see Book A.

Index to Volumes 2 & 3

FICHE 13

Land Records ca 1666-1708, 1727; pp 1-29/33

FICHE 13

Births ca 1664-1706, pp 16-18

FICHE 13

Marriages ca 1699-1706, pp 19-20

FICHE 13

Payments 1699, pp 21-22

FICHE 13

Land Records 1661-1715, pp 34-47

FICHE 21

Chelmsford Proprietors Records [1653-1729]. Vol 3. About 300 pages.
Note that this volume is a continuation of the book above. Though it is not a typical proprietors' record, it does consist mostly of land records (1653-1729), interspersed on occasion by minutes of town meetings--with a treasure of 20-30 pages of vital records (1665-1717) at the end of the book. Look beyond upside-down pages for right-side-up filming. For indexing, see the volume above; for a transcript, see Book A.

Land & Town Records 1653,1660-1663,1679-1711;pp <52-107

FICHE 14

Town & Land 1678-1679, 1700-1729; pp 107-136, 129-156

FICHE 15

Land Records 1705, 1711-1723, 1727; pp 157-216

FICHE 16

Land Records 1662, 1677, 1715-1728; pp 217-276

FICHE 17

Land Records 1716-1727; pp 277-310, 317-320

FICHE 18

Births 1665-1717

FICHE 19

Marriages 1677, 1695-1711; Deaths 1690-1710

FICHE 19

Chelmsford Proprietors of the Wamesit Purchase 1687 [-1785]. Abt 75 pages.
Among these land descriptions are a list of the first proprietors and a list of the proprietors of 1696. Note the alternate spelling of Wamesett.

Proprietors Records 1687, 1696-1702, 1712; pp 1-ca 63

FICHE 20

Proprietors 1691-1697, 1724-1744,1773,1785; pp ca 64-75

FICHE 21

Land Records 1661-1715, pp 34-47 (2nd book above)

FICHE 21

Chelmsford Town Records 1716-1724. Book C. 182 pages.
Indexes badly faded, but mostly readable. For more land records, see Book D.

Land Divisions 1716-22, pp 1-67

FICHE 22

Land Divisions 1720-1723, pp 68-137

FICHE 23

Land Divisions 1722-1724, 1730, 1733; pp 138-178

FICHE 24

Grantee & Road Indexes 1716-1724, pp 179-182

FICHE 24

Chelmsford Town Records 1710-1774. [Book E.] 279 pages.
Except for scattered reports of damage caused by stray animals, this volume registers vital records from 1673-1774. The first part of the book (pages 1-113) lists publishments and marriages of 1716-1774. The second part of the book (pages 1-166) includes births and deaths of 1673-1774. Though the second part is recorded upside-down, all pages are filmed right-side up, including pages 113 and 166. Note, the birth of William Fletcher to Samuel & Hannah on 23 Oct ca 1673 (page 6 of part 2)--as it does not appear in the printed Chelmsford Vital Records to 1850.

Publishments, Marriages, Misc 1716-1756; pp 1-61

FICHE 25

Publishments & Misc 1755-1774, pp 62-113

FICHE 26

Schoolmasters & Misc 1719-1722, p ca 1-2

FICHE 26

Births 1673-1729, 1765-1774; pp 3-8, 11-17, 166

FICHE 26

Deaths 1707-1720, pp 9-10

FICHE 26

Births & Deaths 1701-1748; pp 18-87

FICHE 27

Misc & Schoolmaster 723-1725, 1739, 1747; pp 21-22

FICHE 27

Births & Deaths 1735-1773, pp 88-157

FICHE 28

Births & Deaths 1752-1774, pp 158-166

FICHE 32

Publishments 1773-1774, pp 112-113

FICHE 32

Chelmsford Miscellaneous Records: [Vital Records 1765-1826]. [Book K.]
About 173 pages. Vital records include births and deaths 1765-1826, marriage intentions 1777-1826, and marriages 1780-1823. The few pages of miscellaneous records include some reports of stray beasts (1780-1821), and a couple of entries each for business licenses (1795), pew deeds (1806, 1808), and fence viewers (1807). Look beyond page 173 for a right-side-up view of marriages on pages 37-40 and 107. Missing or blank pages include 124-137.

Births & Deaths 1765-1812, 1820; pp 1-67

FICHE 29

Births & Deaths 1777-1826, pp 68-87

FICHE 30

Marriage Intentions 1777-1798, pp 1-47

FICHE 30

Marriages 1794-1796, 1780-1782; pp 37, 40

FICHE 30

Marriage Intentions 1798-1817; pp 48-106

FICHE 31

Marriages 1796-1813; pp 60-62, 107, 112, 114-117

FICHE 31

Misc. Records 1780-1821; pp 76-81, 84-87, 108-113

FICHE 31

Marriages 1814-1823,1806-1808,1780-1796;pp118-123,107,37-41

FICHE 32

Marriage Intentions 1818-1826, pp 138-ca 173

FICHE 32

Births & Deaths 1752-1774, pp 158-166 (book above)

FICHE 32

Publishments 1773-1774, pp 112-113 (book above)

FICHE 32

Chelmsford Marriage Intentions & Marriages 1825-1880. [Book Y.]
About 280 pages. Watch for terms such as "this will be first marriage" to determine that a certificate is for a marriage intention--not a marriage. Compare the marriages here with those transcribed on pages 21-31 of fiche 45.

Publishments 1825-1838, pp 1-58

FICHE 33

Publishments 1838-1851, pp 59-118

FICHE 34

Publishments 1851-1859; pp 119-163, 178

FICHE 35

Marriages 1822-1836, pp 164-176

FICHE 35

Marriage Intentions 1859-1869

FICHE 36

Marriage Intentions 1869-1880

FICHE 37

Chelmsford Intentions of Marriage 1881-1903.
This record identifies bride and groom by age, residence, occupation, birthplace, and parents.

Marriage Intentions 1881-1898, pp 1-55

FICHE 38

Marriage Intentions 1898-1903, pp 56-85

FICHE 39

Chelmsford Births 1653-1826. 210 pages.
Light ink prevails in this 1837 transcript of births in books A, E, and K.

Births 1653-1718, pp 1-57

FICHE 40

Births 1717-1761, pp 58-127

FICHE 41

Births 1756-1813, pp 128-197

FICHE 42

Births 1790-1826, 1738-1761; pp 198-210

FICHE 43

Chelmsford Deaths 1700-1836. 35 pages.Though started in 1837 as a transcript to deaths of 1707-1720 and 1769-1821 in books E and K, recording continued with deaths of 1781-1843 that may not appear in other town records.

Deaths 1707-1843, pp 1-35

FICHE 44

Chelmsford Marriages 1714-1793. 123 pages.
Contrary to the dates shown on the title, this book shows marriages of 1668-1844. Note that pages through about 37 are an 1837 transcript of marriages of 1714-1739, 1760-1788, and 1792-1836 in books E, K, and Y; while later entries, 1836-1844, do not seem to appear in other town records.

Marriages 1714-1739, 1760-1788, 1792-1844; pp 2-48

FICHE 45

Out-of-Town Marriages 1679-1799, pp 49-67

FICHE 45

Out-of-Town Marriages 1668-1799, pp 68-98

FICHE 46

Church Marriages 1741-1793, pp 110-123

FICHE 46

Chelmsford Town Records 1741 [Church of Christ 1656-1832]. 247 pages.
This book includes baptisms, marriages, deaths and membership lists from about 1741-1793. Note on pages 1 and ca 224, references to Rev. Mr. John Hancock and to the town's population in 1741. Blank pages include 167-199.

Pastoral Ordinations, Deaths, Dismissals 1656-1832

FICHE 47

Church Members 1741-1790, pp 2-10

FICHE 47

Church Meetings & Votes 1741-1754, pp 13-34

FICHE 47

Baptisms 1741-1760, pp 35-57

FICHE 47

Persons Owning the Covenant 1742-1790, pp 59-63

FICHE 47

Reinstated Members 1741-1774, pp 64-65

FICHE 47

Reinstated Members 1775-1786, p 66

FICHE 48

Penitents Restored 1743-1785, p 67

FICHE 48

Dismissions & Admissions 1741-1793, pp 71-75

FICHE 48

Contributions to Needy rsons 1742-1789, pp 78-81

FICHE 48

Marriages 1741-1793, 82-99

FICHE 48

Church Business 1754-1769, pp 100-128

FICHE 48

Baptisms 1761-1770, pp 129-143

FICHE 48

Baptisms 1771-1793, 1705, 1715; pp 144-166, ca 226

FICHE 49

Church Meetings & Votes 1769-1780, pp 200-222

FICHE 49

Pastoral Ordinations ca 1781-1819, p ca 228

FICHE 49

Deaths & Funerals 1741-1792; pp 247, 237-246, 226

FICHE 49

Chelmsford [Church of Christ Records 1764-1803].
The miscellaneous records include admissions, dismissions, church business, and a tribute to George Washington. Blank pages: 50-89, 100-139, 147-172.

Church Members & Misc 1764-1802, pp 1-39

FICHE 50

Baptisms 1794-1803, pp 40-49

FICHE 50

Misc & Marriages 1794-1803, pp 90-99

FICHE 50

Funerals & Misc 1794-1803; pp 140-146, 173-181

FICHE 50

Chelmsford [Congregational Church Records 1771-1867].
These pages identify church members (and ministers) through membership lists, admissions, baptisms, dismissions, and church business. Note that numbers following the names of some members indicate year of and age at death. Death records may provide more detail. Further, most private baptisms occurred just before death.

Church Ministers & Members 1771-1834, 1857; pp 3-20

FICHE 51

Misc 1824-1832, 1836-1867, pp 21-34

FICHE 51

Deaths 1804-1823, pp 35-63

FICHE 51

Deaths 1823-1833; pp 64-66, 119-128

FICHE 52

Marriages 1803-1832, pp 67-86

FICHE 52

Misc 1832-1836, 1853-1855; pp 87-94, 115-118

FICHE 52

Baptisms 1804-1833, pp 99-111

FICHE 52

Misc 1803-1832; pp 131-154, 156-162, ca 165-169

FICHE 53

Private Baptisms 1810-1832, pp 155; Betrothals, pp 163-164

FICHE 53

Deaths 1819-1827, pp ca 166-169

FICHE 53

Chelmsford Records [of First Church of Christ 1786-1878]. 141 pages.
Major records include baptisms 1837-1842 (and a few of 1867, 1869, 1878); marriages 1836-1841, deaths 1837-1843; and church members of 1786-1841 (plus a few of 1857-1858, 1867, 1869, and 1878); as well as church officers 1803-1824. A notice of a church fire in 1842 explains the break in records at that time. The many blank pages include 19-34, 36-42, 44-52, 62-139, and 141.

Church Records 1786-1878; pp 1-18, 35, 43, 53-61, 140

FICHE 54

Church Proprietors 1879, 1884-1885, 1888 (from below)

FICHE 54

Chelmsford [Proprietors of the Centre Meeting House 1842-1888]. Abt 80 pages.
Records include proceedings of the proprietors; as well as lists of 1842 stockholders, 1843 pew sales, and 1850 pew holders.

Church Proprietors 1842-1852, 1861, 1867-1879

FICHE 55

Church Proprietors 1879, 1884-1885, 1888

FICHE 54

Chelmsford Records of First Congregational Society [1831-1901]. 353 pages.
Besides routine business, the parish meetings include financial reports.

Parish Meetings 1831-1838, pp 4-61

FICHE 56

Parish Meetings 1838-1853, pp 62-121

FICHE 57

Parish/Annual Meetings 1853-1872, pp 122-179

FICHE 58

Annual Meetings 1873-1882, pp 180-239

FICHE 59

Annual & Special Meetings 1882-1891, pp 240-299

FICHE 60

Chelmsford Town Records 1727-1735. Book D. About 370 pages.
For the remainder of this book, see fiches 68-73.

Town Records 1726-1729, 1734-1736; pp ca 354-370

FICHE 62

Chelmsford Town Records 1710-1726. Book B. 265 pages.
This book contains records of town expenses, minutes of town meetings, and tax assessments for the period of 1681-1729; as well as, births of the Parker family 1680-1697. Upside-down pages include 25 and ca 256-258.

Town Records 1681, 1683, 1709-1722; pp 1-55

FICHE 63

Parker Biths 1680-1697

FICHE 64

Town Records 1720-1723, pp 54-123

FICHE 64

Town Records 1719-1725, pp 124-193

FICHE 65

Town Records 1722-1729, pp 194-255

FICHE 66

Proprietor & Town Records 1711-1720, pp 259-265

FICHE 66

Town Records 1715-1717+; pp 24, 254-259

FICHE 67

Chelmsford Town Records 1727-1735. Book D. About 370 pages.
Tax lists seem to predominate in this record which, also, includes town payments, land divisions, perambulations, oaths of office, and meetings of selectmen, the town, and proprietors.

Grantee Index of Land Division Records

FICHE 68

Town Records 1718-1736, pp 1-51

FICHE 68

Town Records 1722, 1729-1740; pp 52-113

FICHE 69

Town Records 1721/2, 1727, 1731-1740; pp 115-173

FICHE 70

Town Records 1726-1730, 1734, 1738-1739; pp 174-ca 233

FICHE 71

Town Records 1728-1732, pp ca 234-293

FICHE 72

Town Records 1728-1735, pp ca 294-353

FICHE 73

Town Records 1726-1729, 1734-1736; pp ca 354-370

FICHE 62

Chelmsford Town Records 1740-1754. Vol G. 468 pages.
Though mainly a record of annual tax assessments and town payments for services and goods, this original record also provides minutes of town meetings, identifies town officers, and describes perambulations. Note that town payments included bounties for killing ground squirrels and blackbirds.

Topical Index; Town Records 1740-1742, pp 1-61

FICHE 74

Town Records 1741-1748, pp 62-131

FICHE 75

Town Records 1744-1747, pp 132-201

FICHE 76

Town Records 1746-1751, pp 202-271

FICHE 77

Town Records 1748-1752, pp 272-351

FICHE 78

Town Records 1751-1754, pp 351-421

FICHE 79

Town Records 1753-1754; pp 422-450, 455-466

FICHE 80

Land Records 1717-1724, 1739, 1751-1752; pp 451-454

FICHE 80

Warnings Out 1751-1754, pp 467-468

FICHE 80

Chelmsford Town Records 1755-1763. Book F. 463 pages.
Though tax lists and town payments predominate, other scattered records include warnings out and meetings of the selectmen and the town.

Topical Index

FICHE 81