Researching the History of Your House and Genealogy in Northbridge

By Wendy Essery; revised for Northbridge by Rebecca Sasseville, Whitinsville Social Library

Basic Research Resources

Tip: House numbers can change through time.

1. Northbridge Assessor’s Office – Property Data: http://gis.vgsi.com/northbridgeMA/Search.aspx.
The Assessor’s Office will provide links to field/property cards, assessment values and assessor maps. It also provides the most recent book and page number to the deed of your house.

2. Worcester County Registry of Deeds: https://massrods.com/worcester/
Search first for yourself as grantee and then find the seller who is the grantor.
Next search the indexes for the seller as the grantee and find the previous grantor.
Continue this process for as far back as you can go. Use the book and page numbers in the unindexed property search to find records before 1960.

3. Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System: http://mhc-macris.net/
The database contains a complete index of historical properties, only homes on the National Register. Some full PDF versions are on this website. They are slowly putting all records online.

4. Census Records (also Massachusetts State Census Records): 
Find the occupants of your house in the census.

  • Proquest Heritage Quest: Provides web access to: Immigration records, family and local histories book collections, wills and probate records, city directories, tax lists, U.S. Federal Census records, 1790–1950, U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), 1935–2014, and more.
  • Familysearch.org (login needed, free access): One of the largest genealogical database in the world, created and maintained by the Church of Latter Day Saints. It is free to search and use the database, but you will need to create an account to access this resource.
  • On microfilm at National Archives in Waltham, MA (trip to Waltham), http://www.archives.gov/northeast/boston/

5. Massachusetts Probate Records:

6. Inspectional Services: Contact the Northbridge Building Department for history of permits at property. Phone 508-234-6577.

7. Massachusetts Vital Records:

8.  Maps

9.    Residents Lists: Northbridge Town Directories and Street Directories are located at the Northbridge Town Clerk office. Some are available to view at Whitinsville Social Library. Please call ahead at both locations.

10. Tax Records: Value of property through the years with basic descriptions. Contact Town of Northbridge Treasurer’s office at 508-234-5432 or visit https://www.northbridgemass.org/treasurercollector. 

11. Newspapers: Many old newspapers are available online:

12. Photographs: