Genealogy / Local History

Genealogy Databases

Ancestry Library offers access to over 30 billion genealogical and historical records from more than 80 countries. Need help getting started? Check out our online tutorial for using Ancestry Library.

Familysearch.org is a free resource operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) that provides genealogical records. As a FamilySearch.org affiliate library, we offer on-site access to additional digital records not available outside a FamilySearch center or an affiliate library. These digital records include images and names indexes. Need help getting started? Check out our online tutorial for FamilySearch.org.

American Ancestors, available through the New England Historical Genealogical Society for in-library use, offers access to countless databases encompassing billions of records.

HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images. Need help getting started? Check out our online tutorial for HeritageHub.

Local History Collection

The library’s local history reference collection is shelved in the general reference area and can be accessed during open library hours. The library also maintains a vertical file of clippings, which is not indexed online.

Recommended Topsfield History Resources

(All of these titles can also be read online – see links from the online catalog for “Electronic Access”)

The History of Essex County, Massachusetts: with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men / D. Hamilton Hurd (1888): R 974.45/V.1+ 2
History of Topsfield Massachusetts / George Francis Dow (1940): R 974.45 DOW
Houses and Buildings of Topsfield, Massachusetts / Charles Lawrence Bond (1989 update): R 974.45 BOND
Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society Vols. I—XXXIV: R 974.45 TOPSFIELD
The library has reference and circulating copies of all volumes, and reference copies of the index. All volumes have been digitized – see our individual listing.
Topsfield’s Annual Reports: the library has print reports going back to 1827. The library maintains an individual listing of reports which are available online.
The early history of Topsfield: adapted from the National Register of Historic places documentation for the Historic Farms and Rural Retreats of Topsfield, MA. Prepared by Gretchen G. Schuler & Anne M. Forbes, Preservation Consultants, April 2005. Posted on the excellent Historic Ipswich website. (full pdf document can be accessed on the National Park Service site).
The Topsfield Times: the library’s local history wiki.
Historic Ipswich: a very informative website, which includes a number of in-depth articles about Topsfield.
Vital Records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, Vol. I (to the End of the Year 1849) and Vol. II: 1850-1899: 929.3 TOPSFIELD/V. 1 + 2
Historic Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850
Downloadable List of Vital Records to 1850 in Massachusetts by town

Other Local Resources

Local newspapers: a list of Topsfield-area papers, and how to access the archives.
Maps at the Topsfield Town Library (including links to online maps)
Topsfield cemeteries: the library has binders with listings for the Boston Street, Lake Family, Pine Grove, and South Side Cemeteries. The Massachusetts Gravestones Photo Project includes images from the Boston Street and Pine Grove cemeteries.
Topsfield High School yearbooks: the following volumes are held by the Topsfield Historical Society, but are not available online: 1945; 1948-1959
Masconomet Regional High School yearbooks (1960-current) are owned by Middleton’s Flint Public Library. Most can be viewed online at the Internet Archive. The most current digitized editions (2016 -2020) can be viewed on this Tri-Town Digital Archive.
Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds: has digitized records dating back to 1640.