The Bedford Historical Society archives contain thousands of documents, maps, and photos that may be of interest to students, residents, researchers, and genealogists. Research is by appointment, please email info@bedfordmahistory.org or call 781-275-7276.
To assist with your research, we suggest the following resources:
Bedford Historical Society Collections:
Part of our collection is available online: https://bedfordmahistory.pastperfectonline.com/
Maps of Bedford:
From the Bedford Historical Society and the Bedford DPW: https://www.bedfordma.gov/department-of-public-works/pages/historic-maps
1906 Atlas of Massachusetts (Bedford is plate 39 on digital page 43): https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/205572
Town Reports, Directories, Vital Records:
Vital Records of Bedford, Massachusetts to the Year 1850 (1903):
https://archive.org/details/vitalrecordsofbe00bedfor/page/n4
View town reports in person at the Bedford Free Public Library in the Bedford Collection Room. For more information: https://www.bedfordlibrary.net/resources/bedfords-collections/
Homes/Property Research:
Mass Historical Commission Building Inventory Forms: http://mhc-macris.net/Towns.aspx
South Middlesex County Registry of Deeds: http://www.masslandrecords.com/MiddlesexSouth/
Books & Articles By Abraham E. Brown, all topics:
A.E. Brown, History of the Town of Bedford (1891): https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofb00brow/page/n7
A.E. Brown, Beside Old Hearth Stones (1897): https://archive.org/details/besideoldhearths01brow/page/n5
A.E. Brown, Beneath Old Roof Trees (1896): https://archive.org/details/cu31924025963970
A.E. Brown, Genealogy of Bedford Old Families (1896): https://archive.org/details/genealogyofbedfo00brow/page/n5
A.E. Brown, “Governor Winthrop’s farm. A chapter of old Bedford history” (1892):
https://archive.org/details/governorwinthrop00brow/page/n1
Oral Histories and Videos:
Inspired by StoryCorps®, The Bedford Free Public Library launched the Bedford Stories Project in 2016. The Bedford Stories Project is a community-wide, story gathering program that allows the citizens of Bedford a forum to tell and preserve their stories:
https://www.bedfordlibrary.net/about/bedford-stories-project/
WWII memories of Carleton-Willard residents:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYNQhl_-jU
Recollections of Bedford – Everyday Life with Al Faye, John Dodge,
George Swallow, Joe Damery (April 2013):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjEunV9qFHs&list=PLtnwzenFQyuvHlAd6w5QyiX0ZPHmhbFQ1&index=4&t=0s
Recollections of Bedford with Al Faye, John Dodge, George Swallow, Joe Damery, and Len Kiley (Feb 2013):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgqHt4AW_LI&list=PLtnwzenFQyuvHlAd6w5QyiX0ZPHmhbFQ1&index=5&t=0s
I Remember Bedford – Farms of Bedford with John Dodge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rf3B7za2uc&list=PLtnwzenFQyuvHlAd6w5QyiX0ZPHmhbFQ1&index=11&t=0s
John Dodge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEdS-wrjOWE
Paul Little:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrVH5yCuBcs&t=17s
Bedford Flag:
The Bedford flag is located at the Bedford Public Library
https://www.bedfordlibrary.net/about/bedford-flag/
Photos:
Library of Congress Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) of Bedford:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/related/?va=exact&sp=1&q=Massachusetts–Middlesex+County–Bedford&fi=place&sg=true&op=EQUAL h
Yearbooks:
From the Bedford Free Public Library: https://archive.org/details/bedfordpubliclibrary
Veterans:
List of Veterans: http://www.wickedlocal.com/x599315504/Bedford-deceased-veterans
Cemeteries:
Old Burying Ground Gravestone Survey: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/uploads/old_burying_ground_report_-_1993_revised_2004_0.pdf
Old Burying Ground Map: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/file/file/old_bury_ground.pdf
Shawsheen Cemetery Map: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/file/file/shawsheen_cemetery_map_-_2017-02_0.pdf
Shawsheen Cemetery Tour with Lee Yates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cte0LsjAfcA