Welcome to Reading, MA
USGenWeb
Incorporated June 10, 1644
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| This page is currently available for adoption. If you would be willing to spend a little free time updating this page with records relating to Reading history and genealogy, please email Michael Lewis, Middlesex County Coordinator, for more details. |
Reading's original settlers came from England in the 1630's to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Many arrived through the ports of Lynn and Salem. In 1639 some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for "place for an inland plantation." The General Court granted them six square miles, then an additional four. The first settlement called Lynn Village was on the south shore of the Great Pond, what is now known as Lake Quannapowitt. On June 10th, 1644 the settlement was incorporated by the House of Deputies as the Town of Reading, taking its name from Reading, England. The first church was organized soon after the settlement, and the first parish, later known as South Reading, became Wakefield in 1868. A special grant in 1651 added land north of the Ipswich River to the Town of Reading. This area in 1853 became the separate Town of North Reading. During its early years, the area which is currently the Town of Reading, was known as Wood End, or Third Parish. from Town of Reading Home page History Section - see web site for more
Town of Reading Webpage Official site includes links to the town clerk, cemetery information, assessors database (searchable), schools, fees for certificates and local news and events.
Reading Public Library site includes regular library schedule and departments. Includes a detailed list of the various resources and town records available inside the Local History Room
RESEARCH RESOURCES
Massachusetts Archives Research Room
New England Historic Genealogical Society
CENSUS RECORDS
1790 Reading, MA Federal Census Transcription
ONLINE RESOURCES
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness : Site offers lookups by volunteers all over the world. Check out Middlesex County volunteers for availability of research look-ups you might need. Please note these are volunteers and you should read the FAQ's about what to ask, and the rules about asking more than one person to look up or research the same request. Violators will not get a response !
Middlesex County Mailing list : Subscribe to the mailing list to submit email requests to fellow researches of Middlesex County, connect with cousins and get answers to questions ranging from "newbie how-to" to specific questions about genealogical brick walls. Lots of people on this mailing list have access to a multitude of records. Subscribed by emailing to : and enter SUBSCRIBE in the subject heading and body of email ONLY.
Middlesex County Message Board at Rootsweb : Post a one time message which will be gatewayed to the mailing list - and check back for any replies to your query.
Return to Middlesex County USGenWeb
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Copyright 2008 Middlesex Co. GenWeb
Page created December 4th, 2005 by Jodi Salerno
