Register O’Donnell launches free genealogy research center at Norfolk County Registry

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today announced that under the Registry of Deeds’ History Comes Alive program, a new service has been recently created where a dedicated bank of computers is available for free genealogical use to the public. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is pleased to announce the opening of its Genealogy Research and Resource Center.

“The Registry is excited to offer this research service. As we all know, interest in genealogy is growing by leaps and bounds. According to an ABC News report it is now ranked the second most popular hobby. Another survey indicated that approximately 4 out of 5 people want to explore their genealogical roots,” according to Register O’Donnell.

The Register noted that the genealogical workstations at the Registry contain the popular database Ancestry.com, American Ancestors, and the digital records from the Massachusetts Archives. “In the future, we hope to add other research databases,” noted Register O’Donnell.

“Besides this wealth of information, the Registry has more than 13 million land-related documents to explore dating back to 1793 when Norfolk County was created through an act of the legislature and signed into law by Governor John Hancock. These records include deeds, liens, foreclosures, mortgages, conveyances, trusts, and mortgage discharges.

“Today thanks to cutting-edge technology, we have taken genealogical research one step further. Our transcription program, the first of any Registry of Deeds in New England, has taken Registry documents written in hard-to-read cursive penmanship by quivers from 1793 to 1900 and transcribed them into clearly readable print,” stated O’Donnell.

This transcription project of over 4500,000 recorded legal land documents was part of the “History Comes Alive” Program started at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.

The transcription of these records makes research easier. Here are the words cited from a letter written to Register O’Donnell from Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough. “I say this as one who has spent a great deal of my working life struggling to read original letters and other documents… you are making an important contribution and I send you my warmest congratulations.”

“It is the Registry’s vision,” noted O’Donnell, “that we will continue to take steps in building up our Genealogy program including holding public seminars, publishing articles of note on social media, and adding to our database. After all, learning more about ourselves can just be a few clicks away.”

If you would like to use the free genealogy database, please drop by the Registry of Deeds located at 649 High Street, Dedham, or call 781-234-3305 to reserve a time.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at [email protected].