Last month we announced a new database of Catholic cemetery records: Massachusetts: Catholic Cemetery Association Records, 1833-1940. Today we’re adding 4 new cemeteries to this database: Calvary (Winchester), Catholic Mount Auburn (Watertown), St. Patrick (Stoneham), and St. Paul (Arlington). We’re also adding two new volumes from Holy Cross in Malden (Holy Cross (Malden) Burials, 1868-1885 and Holy Cross (Malden) Lot Sales and Burials, 1868-1870 (Book 1)).
This update adds 48 new volumes, 212,900 records and 223,400 searchable names.
When complete, this database will feature 20 cemeteries administered by the CCA in eastern Massachusetts. 13 cemeteries are available to search now; 7 more will be added throughout the year. Most cemeteries are being added all at once. Holy Cross in Malden is the only cemetery coming online sequentially. Some volumes are available now and more will be added soon.
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.
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.
We’d like to thank the following volunteers and interns for their work on these volumes of this database: Alida Baker, Angela Napolitano, Arlys LaFehr, Bill Fenton, Bill Morse, Bill Wolfendale, Bob Rainville,
Bruce McKeeman, Carol Zimmerman, Carolyn Jack, Daria O’Connor, David Anderson, David Fredette, Eileen McCarthy, Eldon Gay, Elizabeth Handler, Erin Canzano, Gail Delfosse, Gail Wine, Helen Fredell, Jaimie Williams-Peterson, Jane Himmel, Jessica Powers, John Hagarty, Julie Esposito, Julie Roffo, Katherine Marshall-Mayer, Kathy Oberley, Katie McNally, Linda Matthews, Linda Weaver, Lisa Butler, Lisa Donovan, Liz Barnett, Liz Jones, Lois Houghton, Mary Alice Yost, Mary Jo Donzella, Matt Murphy, Maureen Keillor, Meg Mill, Merrill Hill, Michael Giannetti, Michelle Kearns, Nancy Johnson, Patty Ryburn, Paula Hines, Pauline Cusson, Peg Camp, Phyllis Day, Rebecca Searl, Renda Smith, Rhonda Wilson, Rick Lagueux, Ross Weaver, Sandy Murphy Mauer, Sara Stinson, Sharon Dorrity, Susan Dickinson, Therese Mosorjak, Tom Clements, Violet Hurst and Virginia Vaught.
Please note: This database is available to Individual-level and above NEHGS members only. Consider membership