The Massachusetts Genealogical Council (MGC) was founded in 1980 and is the umbrella organization representing Massachusetts genealogists, historical societies and all those concerned about records preservation and free and unfettered access to civil records.

The Massachusetts Genealogical Council's (MGC) stated purposes are:

• to act as advocates in monitoring legislative and administrative activities of governmental agencies which affect genealogists;

• to sponsor and present legislation and programs designed to expand the resources and accessibility of services;

• to develop and promote the growth, education and exchange of ideas among persons and organizations interested in the pursuit of genealogy; and to provide other activities to advance genealogy, chief among which is the MGC Annual Seminar.

All historical researchers owe it to themselves to advocate for open public records. MGC serves as the records access watchdog and provides a counterpoint to the Massachusetts Legislature regarding access issues. Thanks in large part to efforts by MGC, genealogists are able to access all Massachusetts vital records located in the State Archives and Registry of Vital Records in Dorchester.

MGC holds a yearly seminar packed with multiple tracks of genealogical lectures and workshops, networking and book sales. 

Government-produced records are public records. The public good is improved when historians, genealogists, journalists, authors, investigators, and all citizens have access to records. 

Massachusetts enacted its first law ensuring that public records be open in the 1641 Massachusetts Body of Liberties, which stated:

"Every inhabitant of the Countrie shall have free libertie to search and veewe any Rooles, Records, or Regesters of any Court or office except the Councell, And to have a transcript or exemplification thereof written examined, and signed by the hand of the officer of the office paying the appointed fees therfore."

We hope you will consider joining the Massachusetts Genealogical Council, whether as an individual, genealogical society, library, historical society or family association, or involved in any kind of historical research. Anyone interested in preserving open access to public records is welcome!