Diocesan Archives

The diocesan library & archives is the official repository for the permanent records of the diocese. The archives contain a wealth of historical and official documents from the diocese and its parishes and missions.

Information Requests

You may write, e-mail or fax the archivist with requests for information. In the case of sacramental records, please keep in mind:

The diocesan archives does not maintain the records for most parishes, nor is there a central index or list of the sacraments performed.
Contact parishes first for baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial records.
Vital records of individual church members contain private information and are considered confidential. Requests for certified copies of records of baptism or marriage for all entries created after 1930 must be made directly by the individual in question, or, where applicable, by a spouse (fiancés/fiancées excluded), a parent, a descendent, legal representative or rector of the individual's parish (or the rector's designee).We take protecting privacy very seriously.
Certificate requests should be submitted in writing with a photocopy of a picture identification (do not send an original ID), and relationship to the individual.

General Queries and Scholarly Research

The archive staff supports the diocesan staff and parishes. We cannot conduct research for outside users. However, we will be glad to answer simple questions as time permits.

Please contact us by letter, e-mail or fax, and please nclude the name and location of your parish.. If you e-mail or fax, please include your complete mailing address.

Although the archives are not a general public research facility, they are open by appointment to qualified researchers for scholarly research. Please call (see below) or archivist [at] diomass [dot] org to arrange to use the collections. Official application must be made in writing (letter, e-mail or fax). Please include:

Name and title
A complete address
Telephone, e-mail and fax
Institutional affiliation and position
If you are a student, a letter from your supervising professor
A detailed statement describing the purpose of your research and intended outcome

Diocesan Archivist
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Diocesan Library and Archives
138 Tremont Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

617-482-4826, x504
800-696-6079, x504 (in Massachusetts)
FAX: 617-482-8431
E-mail: archivist [at] diomass [dot] org