The Petersham vital records include nine data volumes and four index volumes for the years 1743-1893. The binding on some of the volumes, especially the indexes, is so tight that data on the inside edge of some pages is hidden to the eye and/or the camera.

In this original volume, most births, and a few associated deaths, are arranged by family. Found are birth and death dates from about 1735-1839, marriages from about 1739-1821, and marriage intentions from 1754-1826. Unfortunately, some dates are lost on tattered pages and in the tight binding of the book. There are many blank pages; e.g., 71, 80-81, and 208-215. Also, a few pages at the first and last of the book are not numbered, and the index in incomplete. Compare it with the index in the transcript below (fiches 6-9). Also, study the transcript for dates now missing in this original record. Further, check fiches 14 and 15, as some data there appears to be copied from this old book, also.

Partial Index; Births & Deaths 1735-1821, 1839, pp <1-36

FICHE 1

Petersham Births, Marriages, Deaths, Etc. 1743-1837. Book 1.

Births & Deaths 1766-1837, pp 37-54, 57, 64

FICHE 2

Marriage Intentions 1754-1789, pp 55, 58-73, 87-107

FICHE 2

Deaths 1748, 1755-1776, pp 56-57

FICHE 2

Marriages 1739-1797, pp 74-86

FICHE 2

Marriage Intentions 1789-1815, pp 108-153

FICHE 3

Births & Deaths 1775-1831, pp 159-177

FICHE 3

Births & Deaths 1774-1828, pp 178-182, 217

FICHE 4

Marriage Intentions 1815-1826, pp 183-206

FICHE 4

Marriages 1797-1821, pp 218-234+

FICHE 4

Town Records 1841, 1760, 1756-1754

FICHE 4

Town Records 1754, 1756, pp 1-3

FICHE 5

Petersham Births, Marriages, Deaths 1743-1837. Copy of Book 1.

Even when this transcript was made in 1893, some data was missing from the original volume above. Still, the transcript and its index seem more complete than the original volume. For maximum scholarship, however, both volumes should be consulted. Neither, incidentally, index the marriage intentions.

Partial Index; Births 1735-1837, pp 1-33

FICHE 6

Births 1774-1831, pp 34-48

FICHE 7

Marriages 1739-1820, pp 49-74

FICHE 7

Deaths 1748-1839, pp 75-79

FICHE 7

Marriage Intentions 1754-1762, pp 81-85

FICHE 7

Marriage Intentions 1762-1815, pp 86-139

FICHE 8

Marriage Intentions 1816-1826, pp 140-152

FICHE 9

Town Records 1756, 1754, 1755, 1760, pp 153-163

FICHE 9

Petersham Marriages Prior to 1800.

Out-of-Town Marriages 1747-1799, pp 1-13

FICHE 10

Petersham Marriage Intentions 1826-1905, Marriage Records 1811-1821, Birth Records 1740-1850.

This book has two fronts. From one front, the births, deaths and earliest marriages are recorded on 59 pages and are indexed. From the other front, there are more than 200, unindexed pages (only 89 are numbered) continued from Book 1--marriages (1820-1848) and marriage intentions. Earlier marriages (1811-1821) are copied from the "old book," presumably Book 1. Many of the births & deaths, especially those before 1800, may also be copied from Book 1.

Marriage Intentions 1826-1851, pp 1-55

FICHE 11

Marriage Intentions 1851-1881, pp 56-abt 115

FICHE 12

Marriage Intentions 1881-1905, pp abt 116-121, 155-206

FICHE 13

Marriages 1820-1848, pp abt 122-154

FICHE 13

Index, Births & Deaths 1732-1849, pp 1-43

FICHE 14

Marriages 1811-1819, pp 47-53

FICHE 14

Marriages 1819-1821, pp 54-56

FICHE 15

Marriage Index 1811-1821, pp 57-59

FICHE 15

Petersham Births, Marriages, Deaths 1844-1853. Book 2.

This volume is marked as #3 on its spine and is probably the Book 3 referenced in the birth index below. It is indicated, however, as #2 on the cover and is referenced as Book 2 in the marriage and death indexes.

Births 1844-1853, 1829-1847, pp 1-36

FICHE 16

Marriages 1844-1853, pp 65-75

FICHE 16

Deaths 1844-1853, pp 76-88

FICHE 17

Petersham Births 1854-1893. Book 4.

Births 1854-1875, pp 1-29

FICHE 18

Births 1876-1892, pp 30-46

FICHE 19

Petersham Marriages 1854-1893. Book #4.

Though indicated on the inside as Book 4, the front cover is marked #3 and it is referenced as Book 3 in the marriage index below.

Marriages 1854-1880, pp 1-30

FICHE 20

Marriages 1881-1892, pp 31-42

FICHE 21

Petersham Deaths 1854-1893. Book #3.

Deaths 1854-1879, pp 1-30

FICHE 22

Deaths 1879-1892, pp 31-49

FICHE 23

Petersham Index to Births 1854-1893.

This is an index to births from books numbered as 3, 4, 5 and 6. Names are referenced to page and, sometimes, book. When the book number is not given, or is incorrect, it is a challenge to find the desired data.

Birth Index 1844-1892+, A-T

FICHE 24

Birth Index 1844-1892+, U-Z

FICHE 25

Petersham Index to Marriage Intentions 1826-1893.

This groom index appears to reference the first 23 pages of marriage intentions found on fiche 11. Its connection to Book 4 is questionable.

Index to Marriage Intentions 1826-1836

FICHE 26

Petersham Index to Marriages 1844-1893.

This is an index to the marriages in four books: #2 (pages 65-75), #3 (pages 1-42), #5 (pages ca 1-88) and #6 (pages ca 1-5).

Index to Marriages 1844-1892+, A-L

FICHE 27

Index to Marriages 1844-1892+, L-Y

FICHE 28

Petersham Index to Deaths 1844-1893.

This is an index to deaths in books #2 (pp 76-88), #3 (pp 1-49), #4 (pp ca 1-97) and #5 (pp ca 1-3).

Index to Deaths 1844-1892+, A-T

FICHE 29

Index to Deaths 1844-1892+, U-Z

FICHE 30

Petersham Records of Paupers 1863-1900. About 28 pages.

Most listings give name, age and birthplace. Some include death dates.

Pauper Registers, ca 1863-1900

FICHE 31

Pauper Registers 1899-1900, 1888-1890

FICHE 32

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Births & Deaths 1740-1820,1839, pp [1-51] (1-35)

FICHE 1T

Births 1739-1837, pp [52-71] (36-57,64)

FICHE 2T

Intentions 1756-1778, pp [72-90,105-111] (58-73,87-93)

FICHE 2T

Marriages 1739-1797, pp [90-104] (73-86)

FICHE 2T

Marriage Intentions 1778-1815, pp [112-171] (93-158)

FICHE 3T

Births 1774-1831, pp [172-188,208] (159-182,217)

FICHE 4T

Marriage Intentions 1815-1826, pp [189-207] (183-206)

FICHE 4T

Marriages 1797-1820, pp [209-226] (218-240)

FICHE 4T

Petersham [Vital Records 1764-1849]. Vol 2.

Births & Deaths 1764-1846, pp [227-231] (1-19)

FICHE 4T

Births & Deaths 1769-1849, pp [232-238] (19-43)

FICHE 5T

Petersham [Marriages & Intentions 1820-1849].

Marriage Intentions 1826-1849, pp [239-287] (1-52)

FICHE 5T

Marriages 1821-1828, pp [287-291]

FICHE 5T

Marriages 1820-1849, pp [292-319]

FICHE 6T

Petersham [Register of Births, Marriages, & Deaths 1844-1849].

Births 1844-1849, pp [321-351]

FICHE 6T

Births 1848-1850, pp [352-353]

FICHE 7T

Marriages 1844-1849, pp [355-369]

FICHE 7T

Deaths 1844-1849, pp [371-395]

FICHE 7T

1. [Brackets] signal best estimate of contents, pages, and/or dates.

2. (Parentheses) reference page numbers in the original record.