Access Nantucket County Death Records
Nantucket County death records are part of the Massachusetts Death Index and cover Nantucket Island, the smallest county by population in the state. Finding death records here means working with the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for deaths from 1926 onward, the Massachusetts State Archives for 1841 through 1925, and unique local sources tied to Nantucket's whaling past. Deaths at sea, whaling crew deaths, and maritime records are especially significant in Nantucket County and require searching beyond the standard vital records system. This page explains how to find and order Nantucket County death records and where to look for historical island-specific sources.
Nantucket County Overview
How Nantucket County Death Records Work
Nantucket County is unique in that the county and the town are the same entity. There is one town, and it is called Nantucket. The Nantucket town clerk registers all deaths that occur on the island. Those records then flow to the state. The county-town consolidation means there is no ambiguity about which clerk handled a given record.
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) in Dorchester holds Nantucket death records from 1926 to the present. The Massachusetts State Archives holds records from 1841 through 1925. Before 1841, Nantucket town records, church records, cemetery inscriptions, and Quaker meeting records are the primary sources. Nantucket has a strong Quaker heritage, and Friends meeting records hold significant genealogical detail for many families.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, deaths in Massachusetts must be filed within 24 hours. Nantucket was established as a separate county from Dukes County in 1695, meaning its records have a distinct identity going back more than three centuries.
Note: Because Nantucket's seasonal population can be many times larger than its year-round count, deaths registered during summer months may include people who lived elsewhere permanently and were visiting the island.
Whaling Death Records and Maritime History
Nantucket's position as a center of the American whaling industry from the 17th through 19th centuries created a body of death records unlike any other Massachusetts county. Men from Nantucket crewed whaling ships that sailed the world's oceans, and many died far from home. These deaths were often documented in ship logs, federal maritime records, and crew lists rather than in standard vital records.
The Nantucket Historical Association holds one of the most significant collections of whaling-related records in the country. Their research library in Nantucket town holds ship logs, crew lists, account books, and death records tied to Nantucket's whaling era. If you are researching a Nantucket ancestor who died before the mid-1800s, the Historical Association is an essential stop. Many of their collections are partially catalogued online, and their staff can assist with research requests.
Deaths at sea were sometimes registered back on Nantucket when a surviving crew member reported them, but this was inconsistent. A man who died during a multi-year whaling voyage might appear in a ship log and then in a probate file opened by his family, but not in any vital records index. For this reason, Nantucket County death research before 1850 often requires searching across several distinct record systems.
The National Archives in Waltham, Massachusetts (the regional branch) holds federal maritime records including crew lists and official logs from American whaling vessels. These records can document the death of a Nantucket man who died during a voyage without his death ever being registered in a Massachusetts vital records system.
Nantucket Probate and Family Court
The Nantucket Probate and Family Court serves the island and handles estate matters for the single town of Nantucket. Probate records here go back centuries and can fill significant gaps in death research, especially for the whaling era when many men died away from home. A probate case would often be opened by the family, even when no formal death record was registered locally.
| Website | Nantucket Probate and Family Court |
|---|
The Mass.gov page for this court has current contact details and hours. The screenshot below shows that court page.
Since Nantucket is an island, confirm hours and contact information before making a trip specifically to visit the court.
Historical Nantucket probate records are available through the Massachusetts State Archives and partially through FamilySearch. The Nantucket Historical Association also holds some historical court-related records. For active and recent cases, the court participates in the Massachusetts trial court online docket system, which you can access remotely.
Nantucket County Registry of Deeds
The Nantucket Registry of Deeds is at 16 Broad Street in Nantucket, the same town as all other county offices. The Registry holds property records for the island and can be useful in death research. After a death, an executor or administrator often records deeds to transfer real estate from the decedent to heirs or buyers. These deeds can confirm a death date and link to the probate case.
| Address | 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 228-7250 |
| Website | Town of Nantucket Official Website |
The town's official website provides links to county and town offices. The screenshot below shows that site.
Use the town website to find current contact information for the Registry, the town clerk, and other offices relevant to death records research.
Note: Nantucket property has historically been among the most valuable in Massachusetts, which means estate records here can be quite detailed and are worth reviewing when researching a death from the 19th or 20th century.
Searching Nantucket County Death Records Online
FamilySearch offers free Massachusetts vital records including Nantucket County deaths from 1841 through 1924. The Massachusetts State Archives also has free digital images in that range. These are the best free starting points for historical Nantucket death research. Because the town has a small population, name searches in these databases return relatively few results, which makes them easier to sort through than in larger counties.
For deaths from 1926 forward, contact the RVRS or the Nantucket town clerk. The town clerk is often the most direct option for recent deaths on the island. Ancestry.com carries a Massachusetts death records collection by subscription, and some Massachusetts public libraries provide free access.
The Nantucket Historical Association's research library is the key local resource for historical Nantucket death research. Their collections include published Nantucket vital records, the "Tan Books" covering pre-1850 vital records, Quaker meeting records, cemetery surveys, newspaper indexes from the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror, and whaling-era documents. Contact them directly for research access, as some collections require an appointment.
What a Nantucket Death Certificate Contains
A Massachusetts death certificate includes the decedent's full name, date and place of death, age, sex, race, marital status, and usual residence. It records cause of death, the attending physician or medical examiner, the informant's name and relationship, and the place of burial or disposition. For island deaths, the place of death will show Nantucket specifically.
Death records in Massachusetts are public under MGL Chapter 46, Section 2A. Most people can request a copy without proving a family connection to the deceased. Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted for legal and administrative purposes. Errors on a Nantucket death certificate can be corrected through the amendment process under MGL Chapter 46, Section 13, which requires submitting supporting documentation to the RVRS.
For older records, the published Nantucket vital records in the Tan Books series cover deaths through 1850 and are a useful free reference before ordering formal copies. These are freely searchable through FamilySearch.
How to Get a Nantucket Death Certificate
There are three main options. Order from the RVRS for deaths from 1926 onward. Contact the Nantucket town clerk for recent deaths registered on the island. Order from the State Archives for deaths between 1841 and 1925.
The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. Phone: 617-740-2600. Email: vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45am to 4:45pm. In-person copies are $20 each. Mail orders are $32 per copy. VitalChek online orders are $54 for the first copy. For Nantucket records, mail or online ordering is typically more practical than traveling to Dorchester.
The State Archives is at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Phone: 617-727-2816. Email: archives@sec.state.ma.us. Certified copies are $3 each. Digital images from 1841 through 1924 are free to view online. The state's ordering page has step-by-step instructions and current fee information for all ordering methods.
Cities in Nantucket County
Nantucket County has no qualifying cities. The entire county consists of one town: Nantucket. The town does not meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. It is mentioned here for reference only.
Nearby Counties
Nantucket is an island county with no land borders. The nearest Massachusetts counties by water are listed below.