Massachusetts: Catholic Cemetery Association Records, 1833-1940

Grave marker at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden (photo by Claire Vail Photography)

Today American Ancestors, the Archive Department of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB) and the Catholic Cemetery Association of the Archdiocese of Boston (CCA) are announcing a new database of Catholic cemetery records: Massachusetts: Catholic Cemetery Association Records, 1833-1940. These volumes contain records of lot sales and interments, and include information about lot owners, date of burial and location of burial. Some of the people represented in these written records may not have purchased a grave marker or their marker may have eroded with time, making this collection essential for research into Catholic burials in this region.

This database will feature 20 cemeteries administered by the CCA in eastern Massachusetts. Today we’re releasing 31 volumes from 9 cemeteries, including over 354,500 records and over 355,500 searchable names. Records from the remaining 11 cemeteries will be added throughout the year.

In addition to the searchable database, maps of each cemetery are being made available to help locate burial plots. Where possible, maps include sections, ranges and in some cases narrative description of how headstones are arranged by row and lot number. Also included are points of interest such as entrances, exits, flag poles, monuments, offices and spigots. Special sections for the burials of infants, priests and religious are also noted.  Links to the cemetery maps can be found in the Database Description. Watch our how-to video for instructions on navigating to the database and using the cemetery maps.

Records are currently available from the following cemeteries:
Calvary (Waltham)
Holy Cross (Malden) (not yet complete–more to come)
Sacred Heart (Andover)
St. George (Framingham)
St. James (Haverhill)
St. Joseph (Haverhill)
St. Jean Baptiste (Lynn)
St. Mary (Beverly)
St. Mary (Malden)

Future releases will include records from: St. Francis de Sales (Charlestown), St. Paul (Arlington), North Cambridge Catholic (Cambridge), St. Joseph (Lynn), St. Mary (Lynn), Holy Cross (Malden) (additional volumes), Immaculate Conception (Marlborough), St. Mary (Salem), St. Patrick (Stoneham), Catholic Mount Auburn (Watertown), St. Patrick (Watertown), and Calvary (Winchester).

We’d like to thank the following volunteers and interns for their work on these volumes of this database: Arlys LaFehr, Bill Morse, Bob Rainville, Bruce McKeeman, Christina Travella, Daria O’Connor, David Fredette, Elizabeth Handler, Erin Canzano, Fran Danico, Gail Delfosse, Helen Fredell, Jaimie Williams-Peterson, Jane Himmel, Joan Koesterherm, John Hagerty, Julie Esposito, Karen Jarret, Kathy Oberley, Linda Martin Berke, Linda Mathew, Lisa Donovan, Matt Murphy, Melissa Fuller, Michelle Kearns, Nancy Johnson, Pauline Cusson, Peg Camp, Rebecca Searl, Renda Smith, Rick Lagueux, Ross Weaver, Sandy Murphy Mauer, Sharon Dorrity, Therese Mosorjak, Tom Clements, Troy Nikander and Virginia Vaught.

Please note: This database is available to Individual-level and above NEHGS members only. Consider membership.