House History Guide for Acushnet, Massachusetts

This page contains most of the resources you will need to research the history of your house. If you are new to house history research, please visit the Get Started section. For a quick overview of the process visit 10 Steps to Researching the History of Your House.

Establishment

Acushnet was formed in 1860 from the town of Fairhaven. The area was first settled in 1659.

Land Records / Deed Research

Deeds are found at the county level in Massachusetts. Acushnet is in Bristol County. Deeds for Acushnet, Massachusetts are available online in two places:

  1. The Southern Bristol County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds (online searchable deeds only go back to 1946. Visit in person for earlier deeds or use FamilySearch to view deeds up to 1902.)
  2. FamilySearch.org (Bristol County 1686-1902) [access with free account]
  3. View online Grantor and Grantee Index Books for 1686-1910 for all towns in Bristol County (from the Taunton Registry of deeds)

You can also visit the Registry of Deeds in person. The Southern Bristol County Registry of Deeds was formed in 1837. Visit this page to see non-searchable images of the old index book from 1837-1958. Unfortunately, you will still need to go to the Registry building to access the deeds prior to 1946. Or can contact the registry and they will copy the deeds and mail them to you. Copying is $1 per page and postage is $1.

Southern Bristol County Registry of Deeds
25 N. Sixth Street in New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 993-2603

Bristol County was formed in 1685.

Census Records (and MA State Census Records)

The most common census records are the US Federal Census Records but Massachusetts also has state census records. Census records help you discover the families that lived in your house. Federal census records are available every 10 years from 1790 to 1950 with the exception of 1890.

U.S Federal Census Records (1790-1950)

Available from:

Agriculture and Manufacturing Censuses 1850-1880

These were called Federal Census Non-Population Schedules. They provided detailed descriptions of farms and manufacturing businesses. These are available on Ancestry.com ($).

Massachusetts State Census Records (1855 & 1865)

Available from:

Vital Records

Vital records provide the details about births, marriages and deaths for the people who previously lived in your house.

Find Acushnet, MA Vital Records Online:

Probate Records

Probate records for the town of Acushnet are found in Bristol County, Massachusetts Probate Court records which are available both online and in-person.

When searching the Bristol County Probate Court website for a specific case by file number, put BR before the file number (no space). Ex. BR157695.

In-person
Bristol County Probate Court – New Bedford
505 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
508-977-6040
Check website for hours

Online

Preservation Publications

The Massachusetts Historical Commission provides access to historic building surveys at is website MACRIS: Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS). Once at the site, search specifically by town. You can refine by address and historic name.

Maps

Historic Maps of Acushnet (remember that before 1860 Acushnet was part of Fairhaven):

Maps are also available online from many website such as:

City Directories & Residents Lists

City Directories were typically published every year. Because of that they are great for filling in the gaps between the 10 year spread of census records. They are also helpful to identify when people move from place to place.

City Directories are available online at the major database sites like Ancestry.com ($), MyHeritage.com ($) and FamilySearch.org. They are also found in local libraries and archives.

Tax Records

Tax records provide the value of property through the years. These can be a great indicator of when changes were made to a property. Check your local library, Town Hall or Archive.org for Town Annual Reports which contain the tax records.

Newspapers

Many old newspapers are available online through Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, AmericanAncestors.org, GenealogyBank.com, Newspapers.com, OldNews.com, the Boston Public Library, the American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, MA), Community History Archives. The Ancestor Hunt website is also great for finding more newspaper resources.

Cemetery Information

Acushnet, Massachusetts cemeteries:

  • Acushnet Cemetery
  • Bisbee-Sherman Cemetery
  • Burnham Cemetery
  • Friends Cemetery
  • Kelley Family Burying Ground
  • Long Plain Cemetery
  • Long Plain Friends Cemetery
  • Nye Family Burying Ground
  • Parting Ways Friends Burial Ground
  • Peckham Cemetery
  • Tabor Cemetery

Cemetery Information

Local Resources

Further Reading

Acushnet Centennial: Acushnet, Massachusetts, “Land of the Cushenas” 1860-1960. Achushnet, MA: 1960.

Acushnet sesquicentennial historical book 1860-2010.

Blouin, Carol. The Way It Was – Acushnet in 1860. Achushnet, MA: 1989.

Howland, Franklyn. A History of the Town of Acushnet, Bristol County, State of Massachusetts. New Bedford, MA: by the author, 1907. Available at Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofa02howl/page/n5/mode/2up

Hurd, D. Hamilton, History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men. Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1883. Available at Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/historyofbristol00hurd/page/n5/mode/2up

Nason, Rev. Elias. A Gazetteer of the State of Massachusetts. Boston: B. Russell, 1890. Available at Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/gazetteerofstate00naso/page/n5/mode/2up

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