Southborough Massachusetts Genealogy

1856 Map of the town of Southborough Worcester County, Mass

Southborough, Massachusetts, often abbreviated as Southboro, is a town in Worcester County with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. having been first settled in 1660 it was initially a part of the original township of Marlborough. Over time, as the community grew and developed its own identity, it became evident that Southborough was distinct from its parent town. This led to its official incorporation under its present name on July 6, 1727, the “South Borough” of Marlborough. The town’s boundaries and composition further evolved in the following years. On March 7, 1786, a part of Framingham was annexed to Southborough, expanding its territory. Later, on March 24, 1843, a portion of Southborough’s land was ceded back to Marlborough. These changes in boundaries were reflective of the town’s growing and shifting population during its early years.

Throughout its history, Southborough has been characterized by its picturesque New England landscape, initially dominated by agriculture and small-scale manufacturing. The arrival of the railroad in the 19th century marked a significant development, opening up new economic opportunities and enhancing connections to larger cities like Boston. Despite these changes and the gradual shift from an agrarian base to more diverse commercial and industrial activities, Southborough has maintained much of its historical charm. The town is dotted with well-preserved colonial homes and buildings, a testament to its commitment to preserving its heritage. Today, Southborough stands as a serene suburban community within the Greater Boston area, where the balance of modernity and historical reverence is keenly felt.

Genealogy Records of Southborough, Massachusetts

Genealogists are fortunate for the abundance of records available for ancestors who settled the jurisdiction of Southborough. The Town Clerk and local historical society have been busy scanning and placing the town records online and opening up access to images of the original records still existing. we can only hope more townships will do the same! To this collection we’ve added the links to FamilySearch items which differ from the scanned records of the two entities.

Fay Family Genealogy
including Genealogy of the family of Jasper Fay, seventh generation from John Fay. Compiled by Charlotte E. (Ward) Holbrook and self published in 1983.
Woods Family Records, 1887-1888

Research Guides

Documenting Southborough’s First Two Decades, 1727-1747
Contained here are summaries of all documents from 1727 to 1747 found in the Southborough Town Clerk’s Office. These documents chronicle the initial twenty years following Southborough’s establishment as an independent town. The subjects covered include: the establishment of Southborough and its detachment from Marlborough, the formation of town boundaries, sectors, and roadways, activities of the local militia and their involvement in Colonial Wars, matters concerning the church and meeting house, educational institutions, social welfare, taxation, municipal lands and properties, as well as records of expenditures and transactions handled by the town treasurer.
Revolutionary War Service In Southborough
This document presents a compilation of petitions and financial accounts maintained by the Southborough Town Clerk’s Office, serving as direct proof of the town’s involvement in the Revolutionary War and the various ways its residents contributed to the war effort. Covered topics are: records of enlistment and corresponding payment receipts for service in the Continental Army, financial incentives and the recruitment of soldiers, arrangements for substitutes in military service, compensation for travel related to military duties, appointments of representatives to state conventions and assemblies, support and assistance provided to families of enlisted individuals, loans extended to the town, and the acquisition of essential supplies like beef, clothing, and ammunition.
Southborough Census Substitutes, 1727-1900
This document comprises a collection of alternative sources to the traditional census for the Town of Southborough. These substitutes encompass: seating arrangements and pew registers from the Meeting House, taxation records, rosters of jury members, electoral rolls, and educational enumerations.
Privately Recorded Death Records, 1804-1862
This manuscript contains extractions from three journals of Southborough residents, each of which contained death records written contemporaneous with the events. These journals are: Lucy Sanger’s Book of Deaths, 1804-1826, Stephen Newton’s Book of Deaths, 1804-1862, Martha (Temple) Bridges Journal, 1811-1820. These records were not consulted to compile the book “Vital Records of Southborough, Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1849” when it was published by Franklin P. Rice in 1903.

Southborough Church Records

This is an image file of the original Southborough Congregational Church Records. It starts with the minutes of official proceedings and vote of admission of members from 1791 up to 1835. It then provides a list of all admissions, baptisms, deaths, and marriages. These records were referenced to create the published Vital records of Southborough, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849. This is almost certainly the same as FHS Film #864088, Item 1, image Group Number (DGS) 8707663, catalog #279051

Congregational Church Records and Vitals, 1791-1835
- Records of admissions start at image 98
- Records of baptisms start at image 146 of 316
- Records of deaths start at image 192 of 316
- Records of marriages start at image 262 of 316

Southborough Court Records

Chattel Mortgage Records

Think of a chattel mortgage record like a detailed contract that protects both the person getting the loan and the person giving it. It makes sure everyone knows what’s expected and what will happen with the item that’s being used as security for the loan. See more here: GenHelp: What is a Chattel Mortgage Record?

Land Records

Orders of Taking Land by Eminent Domain, 1914, 1924

Probate Records

Settlement of Estates, 1768-1790

History of Southborough, Massachusetts

Narrative History of Southborough
This short manuscript was written in conjunction with the Historic Properties Survey of Southborough, June, 2000
The History of Southborough Massachusetts 1727-1977, 1977
This is a 4-page pamphlet previewing some brief writings from an upcoming Southborough History book, that appears to have never been published.
A Walk Through the Past: A Walking Tour of Southborough’s Historic “Holy Hill”, 2000
A self-guided walking tour of the area around the Southborough Historical Museum.
Our Town, 275th Anniversary Booklet, by Rev. Robert G. Howes
Chronicles the history of the town, contains recollections of the older citizens, and provides a lot of poetry.
Southborough Historical Commission
Southborough Historical Society
Southborough Massachusetts: A Guide to Community Life and Local Government, 1972
An Address Delivered in the Town Hall, Southborough on the Occasion of the Opening of the Fay Library, February 12th 1852
An Address by Samuel Appleton, Esq. at the Dedication of the Soldiers’ Monument at Southborough, Mass. Jan. 1, 1867
The appendix provides information on the soldiers on the monument.
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Members, 1923
A patriotic service organization preserving historic and patriotic traditions of Boston, Massachusetts, and the United States. This list was provided to the Town Clerk under Chapter 405, Section 180 of the Acts of 1905. Charles T. Hall was the only member of the organization reported to reside in “Southboro”.
Appointments of Fire Wardens and Officers, 1885-1896
Appointments of Forest Wardens, 1914-1926
Appointments of Police Officers and Special Police Officers, 1877-1896
Appointments, 1964-2015
Appointments showing the date of appointment, name of individual, term in office, and the expiration date of the appointment for the various town officers and departments of Southborough, Massachusetts.
Assignment of Wages, 1875-1907

Overseers of the Poor Records

Before the introduction of federal social welfare programs in the 1930s, addressing poverty in the United States was predominantly a responsibility managed at the local level. Each community, whether a town or county, addressed the needs of its impoverished residents based on local circumstances. Initially, the approach to aiding the poor in America was influenced by the English Poor Laws, but over time, unique American methods evolved. In Massachusetts, for example, the management of poverty was overseen by local officials known as the Overseers of the Poor. These officials, typically men, were appointed in each township and city to supervise and provide for the needy. Their responsibilities included annual meetings to discuss tax levies, the administration of the poorhouse, and the selection of new members. The records of Overseers of the Poor may include administrative records, almshouse records, temporary home records, and some miscellaneous and unidentified material. Administrative records, include financial records, warning-out books, memoranda, correspondence, and casebooks.

Southborough Massachusetts Tax Assessor Papers

The assessor reports are invaluable to genealogists with family in Southborough at the time. These reports list each tax payer and their real and personal property and the amount owed in taxes for the year.

Southborough Massachusetts Military Records

Southborough Residents enrolled in the 1847 militia
A record of soldiers of Southborough during the Rebellion from 1861-1865
Contains a short biographical sketch on each soldier in alphabetical order.

Southborough Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital records of Southborough, Massachusetts to End of Year 1849
The list of vital records of Southborough, Massachusetts, comprised in this volume includes all which were entered in the Town Books during the period from the earliest date there found to the end of the year 1849. Some additions and corrections of names and dates have been made from the records of the First Church, these being indicated in each instance by proper reference. There are a total of 6,297 births, marriages, and deaths recorded.
Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1762-1836
Official town register of the births, marriages, and deaths which occurred in the years of 1762-1836
Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1843-1853
Official town register of the births, marriages, and deaths which occurred in the years of 1843-1853.
Birth, deaths and marriages, 1780-1863
In 1971, the Genealogical Society of Utah scanned a set of vital records from Southborough, Massachusetts which included some Church of Christ records. This is FHS film #861102, Image Group Number (DGS) 7011125, and FS catalog #84071.
The earliest records of the town of Southborough: births, deaths and marriages, 1718-1796
Microfilm of original records at Worcester County town hall, town clerk, Southborough, Massachusetts. Includes part index. Contains a few miscellaneous town records also.. FHL film #861127, Image Group Number (DGS) 4934226, FS Catalog #618549.

Southborough Massachusetts Birth Records

Birth Index, 1850-1940
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1878-1888
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1899
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1900
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1901
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1902
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1903
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1904
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1905
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1906
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1907
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1908-1913
Birth Returns, Physician Stubs, Delayed Births, 1914-1918
Affidavits, Corrections and Amendments to Births – Procedures and Instructions
instructions to the Southborough Town Clerks on the procedures of handling affidavits, corrections, and amendments to births over time.
Affidavits, Corrections and Amendments to Births, 1846-1900
Affidavits, Corrections and Amendments to Births, 1901-1910
Affidavits, Corrections and Amendments to Births, 1911-1920
Affidavits, Corrections and Amendments to Births, 1922-1930
Birth Certificates, 1924-1930
232 birth certificates on file with the Southborough Town Clerk for the years of 1924 through 1930.
Birth Certificates, 1931-1936
178 birth certificates on file with the Southborough Town Clerk for the years of 1931 through 1936.
Physician Returns of Birth, 1885-1913
In 1883 Massachusetts passed an act requiring and compensating physicians and midwives for the reporting of a correct list of all children born therein during the month next preceding (fancy way of saying previous month) at whose birth they were present, stating the date and place of each birth, the name of the child (if it has any), the sex and color of the child, the name, place of birth and residence of the parents, and the occupation of the father. They were compensated 25 cents for each birth recorded by the township or city in which the report was made.
Foreign Birth Certificates, 1896-2012
Occasionally in conducting business with the town of Southborough, it was necessary for citizens to deposit a copy of their foreign birth certificate with the town clerk. These are the ones which Southborough has.

Southborough Massachusetts Marriage Records

Southborough Massachusetts Divorce Records

Southborough Massachusetts Death Records

Privately Recorded Death Records, 1804-1862
This manuscript contains extractions from three journals of Southborough residents, each of which contained death records written contemporaneous with the events. These journals are: Lucy Sanger’s Book of Deaths, 1804-1826, Stephen Newton’s Book of Deaths, 1804-1862, Martha (Temple) Bridges Journal, 1811-1820. These records were not consulted to compile the book “Vital Records of Southborough, Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1849” when it was published by Franklin P. Rice in 1903.

Burial Records

Cemetery Deeds and Records

Cemetery Deeds, 1972-2022 (A-C)
Cemetery Deeds, 1972-2022 (D-I)
Cemetery Deeds, 1972-2022 (J-O)
Cemetery Deeds, 1972-2022 (P-Z)
Old Burying Ground: Burials, Receipts, and Plot Maintenance, 1773-1846
Veteran Grave Registration Card Index (Updated DPW Copy)
- Veteran Grave Registration Card Index (Outdated Copy)
Cemetery Lists
- Unmarked Graves, 1842-1862
  This compilation includes individuals interred in either the Old Burial Ground or the Rural Cemetery, specifically those in unmarked graves, spanning the period from 1842, the year the Rural Cemetery was established, through to 1862. It is likely that the majority of these burials are located in the Rural Cemetery.
- Stone Conditions and Designs through 1830
- Known Buried but no Marker
  This list of names is that of persons known to have been buried in Southborough between 1794 and 1842, when Rural Cemetery opened, and for whom there is no grave marker in the old burial ground.
- Numerical List of Gravestones in the Old Burial Ground
  A list, in numerical order, of the gravestones in the old burial ground, with the correct wording inscribed thereon. Memorial verses are not included, only names, dates, etc. The number of gravestone refers to the location of each particular stone on the map of the old burial ground prepared in 1971 by the Historical Commission.
- List of Southborough Dead, 1727-1794
  A list of those who died in Southborough from 1727 until 1794, probably buried in Southborough, but there is no verification of burial nor is there a marker at present.
- Alphabetical List of Stones Still Standing (1971) in the Old Burial Ground
  A list of 363 persons whose names are on gravestones still standing in 1971. Note that the date of death may not have been present on the stone, but came from vital records.
- Known Buried by Omitted from Vital Records
  This is a list of people buried in Southborough and omitted from the Southborough Vital Records. It is possible they died elsewhere and were only buried in Southborough.
- Southborough Rural Cemetery Inscriptions, 1850-2005