I have just updated the look of the vital records on the MA Vital Records Project. The new look allows researching alphabetically or chronologically, if the transcriptions are done. If they aren't, there is a simple link with the surname and you can use the images. I also put up new images for all towns. For the most part, these are better than what I had.

I have the images for the Sheffield VRs, such as they are. However, I don't know when they were published, so I can't put them up until I find out if they are in the public domain. I could use someone to transcribe these so the transcriptions, at least, can be available for research.

There are several towns that do not have published records: Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Egremont, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, North Adams, Pittsfield, Savoy and Stockbridge. The images for most, if not all, of these towns may be available on Ancestry.com. They are what used to be known as the Holbrook Collections, Archives.com. The images are very definitely under copyright, the records are not. Vital records are always public domain. If there are people with Ancestry memberships that are willing to undertake the transcribing of these records, and there are a great many, please get back to me offlist and we'll see what can be done.

John Slaughter, Owner/Administrator, MA Vital Records Project - http://MA-VitalRecords.org
In loving memory of our son, Brennan, 11/10/88-5/31/01. http://John-Slaughter.rootsweb.com/Brennan.html