This collection includes birth, marriage, and death records recorded in the Town of Southborough in addition to marriage intentions, burial permits, and corrections and amendments made to vital records. The earliest vital records held in Southborough town date back to 1718 - nine years prior to the town’s separation from Marlborough in 1727. While the format of the records has changed numerous times over the years, there are no known gaps.

Massachusetts state law requires town and city clerks to record all birth, marriage and death events occurring in their jurisdiction. This system has been in place for over 300 years. Beginning in 1841, the state government required copies of each vital record be forwarded to a central state office, which means that two sets of records exist for almost every birth, marriage and death since 1841. At the Town Clerk’s Office, Birth Certificates are available for any person born in Southborough or whose parents resided in Southborough when they were born. Marriage Certificates are available for couples who filed their marriage intention in Southborough. Death Certificates are available for any individual who died in Southborough or who resided in Southborough at the time of their death.

The earliest birth, marriage, and death records were recorded in large ledger books, and a family’s records were often grouped together. Beginning in the 1850’s some physician’s stubs, returns, and certificates are available to supplement the ledgerbook entries. These are the original records that were filed with the town, and they are more comprehensive than the ledger entries. Southborough holds birth returns dating back to 1878, marriage returns to 1855, and death returns to 1857. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and Massachusetts State Archives do not maintain copies of any vital records prior to 1841, and have only ledger books (no physician’s stubs, returns, or certificates) for events occurring prior to 1903.