MGC Awards the 2026 Shirley Barnes Records Access Award to the Massachusetts Special Commission on Institutional Records

Special Commission Members together with Rep. Garballey and Sen. Barrett meet with Gov Maura Healey to celebrate passage of the law based on their work. Photograph courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

July 29, 2026, Easton, MA – The Massachusetts Genealogical Council announces the presentation of the 2026 Shirley M. Barnes Records Access Award to the Special Commission on State Institutions. Massachusetts has been for centuries a national leader in institutional care. Set up three years ago, the commission’s role was to review the state’s accomplishments and its failures. For the first time, people with disabilities were directly involved in documenting and interpreting that history.

Abuse and neglect in state institutions remained hidden because records were inaccessible, poorly organized, or forgotten. Families often could not obtain information about relatives who had lived or died in these institutions. One commission member told the governor that he could not even learn where his own brother was buried because of the way the records of deceased residents had been handled.

The commission concluded that these records needed to be found, preserved, and made available to the public. It also called for a formal state apology. After more than two years of work, the commission issued its final report on May 15, 2025. Governor Maura Healey signed legislation implementing the commission's recommendations on November 25, 2025. Before the new law, genealogists could access some records only through 1919. Now the Massachusetts Archives will make these records public with a rolling 75-year date. The legislation immediately extended public access through 1951.

In institutional cemeteries, graves of patients were marked only with a letter—"C" for Catholic or "P" for Protestant—and a number. Their identities can now be restored through public records. The legislation also supports the care of these cemeteries and requires state records held by private organizations be returned to state custody. The benefits of these reforms will continue to unfold over the coming years.

The Massachusetts Genealogical Council recognizes the dedication of the commission members and thanks them for their work. Their efforts will help families learn more about relatives who lived in state institutions, identify burial places, and preserve their stories. The truth will no longer remain hidden.

Commission members were Co-Chairs Kate Benson and Anne Fracht, Vice Chair Alex Green, Elise Aronne, Sr. Linda Bessom, Reggie Clark, Jim Cooney, Samuel Edwards, Bill Henning, Andrew Levrault, Camille Karabaich, Evelyn Matio, Lauri Medeiros, Vesper Moore, and Brenda Rankin. The legislation was supported by State Senator Michael J. Barrett and State Representative Sean Garballey.

Commission members were Co-Chairs Kate Benson and Anne Fracht, Vice Chair Alex Green, Elise Aronne, Sr. Linda Bessom, Reggie Clark, Jim Cooney, Samuel Edwards, Bill Henning, Andrew Levrault, Camille Karabaich, Evelyn Matio, Lauri Medeiros, Vesper Moore, and Brenda Rankin. The legislation was supported by State Senator Michael J. Barrett and State Representative Sean Garballey.

ABOUT THE AWARD: At its annual meeting in 2019, the Massachusetts Genealogical Council established an award to be given yearly in memory of Shirley M. (Armstrong) Barnes. Shirley was committed to advocating for record preservation and access. Her work brought about the 1983 Massachusetts vital records law which mandated the transfer of vital records to the state archives in five-year intervals. The award recognizes people who emulate Shirley's volunteer spirit and whose dedication to record access has made a significant impact for genealogists. See our webpage about this: https://www.massgencouncil.org/shirley-barnes-records-access-award.