Resources

There are numerous sources of information about Ipswich, not just in Ipswich but also in Essex County, Massachusetts and the United States. Some are listed below by category. If you have suggestions for other resources to be listed please contact coordinator@esexcountyma.net

IPSWICH TOWN CLERK

Ipswich Town Hall
30 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Phone: (894) 356-6600

Cemetery Department:  (508) 356-6643 

IPSWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY

25 North Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Phone: (894) 356-6648

IPSWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

53 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Phone:  (508) 356-2811 

WEB SITE PROVIDES INFORMATION ON: Upcoming Events, Newsletter, Membership Application, Carriage Collection, Publications for Sale, Visitor information, Olde Ipswich Researchers

ESSEX SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

P.O. Box 313
Lynnfield, MA 01940-0313

ESOG has over 1,000 members.  Membership information may be requested from Essex Society of Genealogists. Its numerous membership services and benefits include programs, a newsletter and a quarterly journal, The Essex Genealogist (TEG).  Heritage Books, Inc. is reprinting all TEG volumes from 1981 - 1995 for ESOG. Earlier volumes may be purchased directly from Heritage Books. 

PHILLIPS LIBRARY

The collections of the Phillips Library consist of manuscripts, books, pamphlets, newspapers and documents

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM

East India Ave
Salem, MA 01970

MAEssex Mailing List

An email mailing list specifically assigned for people researching ancestors who lived in Essex County, Massachusetts.

There are a number of ways to post queries for Essex County:

If you are a serious Essex County Researcher, we strongly suggest you join the official Essex County Mailing List. Here you will find hundreds of Essex researchers trading information in an almost "family" atmosphere (most are cousins.)

Join Essex County's Mailing List on RootsWeb MAEssex-L 

If you have a single query that you want posted to a semi-permanent "bulletin board" type message facility, I suggest you use the RootsWeb Essex county message boards. This list is "gated" to the MAEssex List (above) so your "one-time" message will also appear there.

Books & Books Online

The History of Ipswich, Essex and Hamilton : by Joseph B. Felt, 1834. transcribed by John Slaughter

Publications of the Ipswich Historical Society : as listed on this extensive web site, with a strong emphasis on Ipswich and her history. 

Some Booklets and Pamphlets on Ipswich Residents, historical locations, religious pamphlets, Chamber of Commerce, and much much more.

Higginson Book Company : Publisher of out of print and rare books, located in Salem, MA.

A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England before 1692 : By James Savage

HERITAGE QUEST & Ancestry.com (fee based) : Check your local libraries to see if they offer card holder access to these terrific databases, which each contain a multitude of books about Ipswich and the early settlers- as well as census records and old newspapers.

Community Links

Town History - thru the 20th century, from the town website

History of Dow Park, Boone Park and Town Hill - includes map of the area

An abbreviated walking tour of Ipswich - includes Meetinghouse Green, the Old Burying Ground, and a map of the area.

Official Ipswich Arts & Culture Site - Where to go when not walking through the cemeteries or the library.

Pictorial links

1893 Survey map of Ipswich, MA - includes links to family pages below  Pictures from town reports from the 1940's-70's Ipswich Range Lights : History of Crane Beach and the wonderful light house that once stood there.