Digitized Books and Images

Books

Salem City Directories

Click here for Salem City Directories. These are updated on an ongoing basis.

Vital Records

Massachusetts Vital Records Project

Essex Institute Historical Collection

View the Collection on NOBLE Digital Heritage.

Salem History (1620-1640)

History of Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 1 – Sidney Perley, 1924

History of Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 2 – Sidney Perley, 1924

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts – George F. Dow, 1911

Annals of Salem Vol. 1 – Joseph B. Felt, 1845

Annals of Salem Vol. 2 – Joseph B. Felt, 1849

Original Narratives of Early American History, Winthrop’s Journal, Vol. 1, 1630-1649

Original Narratives of Early American History, Winthrop’s Journal, Vol. 2, 1630-1649

Salem Town Records Vol. 1, 1634-1659

Salem Town Records Vol. 2, 1659-1680

Indian Land Titles of Essex, Sidney Perley, 1912

Salem History (1640-1700s)

The Holyoke Diaries, 1709-1856

Records Of the Salem Commoners, 1713-1739 – George Francis Dow

Salem Before the Revolution – Gilbert L. Streeter, 1896

The Diary of William Bentley: Pastor of the East Church, Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 1, 1784-1792

The Diary of William Bentley: Pastor of the East Church, Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 2, 1793-1802

The Diary of William Bentley: Pastor of the East Church, Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 3, 1803-1810

The Diary of William Bentley: Pastor of the East Church, Salem, Massachusetts Vol. 4, 1811-1819

Salem History (1800-Present)

Old Salem – Eleanor Putnam, 1886

Historic Homes of New England – Mary H. Northend, 1914

Family Histories/Genealogies

The Original Lists of Persons of Quality…John C. Hotten, 1874

A genealogical register of the first settlers of New England – John Farmer, 1829

Report, full, authentic, and complete of all the proceedings of the memorable first reunion of Dodge family in America

Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Vol. 1 – James Savage, 1860

Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Vol. 2 – James Savage, 1860

Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Vol. 3, – James Savage, 1860

Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Vol. 4 – James Savage, 1860

Witchcraft

Notes on the History of Witchcraft in Massachusetts – George H. Moore, 1883

Further Notes on the History of Witchcraft in Massachusetts- Abner Cheney Goodell, 1884

Reasons for Concluding that the Act of 1711 – Abner Cheney Goodell, 1884

Short History of the Salem Witchcraft Trials – Sidney Perley, 1911

Images

Salem Public Library Digital Heritage

Salem State University Archives

Salem State University Flickr

Hawthorne in Salem

Blogs

Salem Historical Society

Streets of Salem

History by the Sea

Reference Dept Information

Address and Phone:
370 Essex St
Salem, MA 01970
978-744-0860

Second Floor

Parking and Transportation:
Street parking along Essex St between Boston and Beckford Streets.

MBTA bus stop “Essex St opp. Monroe St” is in front of the library, served by bus 450

Available Services

  • Computers
  • Printers
  • Copiers
  • Scanners
  • FAX
  • Conference Rooms
  • Museum Passes
  • The Salem News from 1880 – Present
  • Boston Globe & New York Times on microfilm
  • Microfilm readers & printers
  • Newspapers & magazines
  • WiFi (100+ Mbps download)
  • The Salem Room (local history)