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0300. City Clerk, Office of the

 Record Group
Identifier: 0300
The first mention of a Town Recorder is the following action of the Selectmen, July 5, 1641: “Our brother John Oliver (a selectman) is chosen Treasurer for the Towne, and to keep the Towne’s booke.” From 1693 to 1822, the custodian of the Town records was called the Town Clerk. Section 10 of Chapter 110 of the Acts of 1821 stated that the City Clerk shall have all the powers, and perform all the duties belonging to the Town Clerk of the Town of Boston. As provided by the City Charter, the City Clerk of Boston is elected by the City Council for a term of three years. The Office of the Clerk, under the direction of the City Clerk, accepts, files, records, and maintains all municipal records. The City Clerk publishes the agenda for all City Council meetings, records all Council and related Mayor actions, and edits and compiles the minutes of Council meetings. The Department also maintains the City Council document system database and publishes, on a yearly basis, all ordinances and amended codes. The City Clerk is also responsible for overseeing the work of the Archives Commission. Services to the public include the sale of various licenses and permits, notarizing and attesting to documents and filing, recording and copying papers in the custody of the Clerk. Services to City government consist of providing informational resources and technical assistance, administration of the state's open meeting law, administration of oaths of office, attestation of various legal papers and custody of records. The Archives Commission oversees the protection of City records, files and other items of historic interest.

Found in 74 Collections and/or Records:

Record of names, marks and devices

 Series
Identifier: 0301.022
Scope and Contents note

According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110, Sections 17 and 21, names, marks or devices on cans, bottles, milk bottles etc. may be registered by filing with the City Clerk. Includes index volume for 1893-1900, index cards for 1924-1941 and applications filed chronologically.

Dates: 1893-1941
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Record of names, marks and devices

Records of joint stock companies

 Series
Identifier: 0301.023
Scope and Contents

Includes two volumes of corporation records filed with the City Clerk, 1865-1871 and three index volumes, 1851-1871.

Dates: 1851-1871
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Records of joint stock companies

Records of qualifications (oaths of office)

 Collection
Identifier: 0300.002
Scope and Contents note This collection includes records of oaths sworn by Elected Officials, Major Officers, Minor Officers and Police Officers. The volumes include the oath sworn on the conditions expressed by the Statutes of the Commonwealth and the Ordinances of the City along with the signatures of those taking the oath. The Elected Officials volumes include the Mayor and City Council members. School committee members and the Suffolk County Register of Deeds are included in the 1938-2004 Elected Officials...
Dates: 1858-2004
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Records of qualifications (oaths of office)

Register of tax notice

 Series — Volume 1
Identifier: 0301.025
Scope and Contents

Massachusetts General Laws chapter 60, sec. 39, states if a mortgagee or an owner of land causes a notice, designating a place in the town where such land lies at which all papers relative to taxes on such land which are to be served on him may be left, is to be recorded in January of any year in the office of the clerk of such town and, during said month, to be delivered to the collector. Includes one volume of notices filed with the City Clerk's Office from 1903-1936.

Dates: 1903-1936
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Register of tax notice

Registration of cropped dog ears

 Series — Box SB - 016
Identifier: 0301.027
Scope and Contents

Chapter 347 of the Acts of 1928 required filing with the City Clerk's Office of dogs whose ears were cropped or cut off prior to September 1, 1928 or amputated by a veterinarian. Includes notices filed 1928-1941.

Dates: 1928-1941
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Registration of cropped dog ears

Registrations

 Series
Identifier: 0301.017
Scope and Contents

According to Sections 8, 21, and 70 of Chapter 12 of the Massachusetts General Laws, physicians, chiropodists and optometrists are required to register with the City Clerk. Includes Physician certificates, 1917-1998; Chiropodist certificates, 1917-1946; and Optometrist certificates, 1920-1958.

Dates: 1917-1998
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Registrations

Religious Societies filings

 Series
Identifier: 0301.010
Scope and Contents

Articles of incorporation of Religious Societies filed with the City Clerk. Filing with the City Clerk was discontinued by Section 15 of Chapter 291 of the Acts of 1918.

Dates: 1841-1916
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Religious Societies filings

Residence affidavits

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 0301.040
Dates: 1973-1990
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Residence affidavits

Returns of votes cast

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 0301.026
Scope and Contents

Returns of votes cast for presidential electors, county offices, amendments and city offices filed with the City Clerk's Office.

Dates: 1823-1860 with gaps
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Returns of votes cast

Rules and regulations filed with the City Clerk

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 0301.047
Dates: circa 1979-1996
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Rules and regulations filed with the City Clerk

Street railway locations

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 0301.018
Scope and Contents

Includes printed copies of street railway locations granted, 1869-1942 and one index volume of location plans filed with the City Clerk's Office, 1835-1960.

Dates: 1835-1960
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Street railway locations

Testimonial to Capt. R. B. Forbes from Citizens of Cork, Ireland

 Item — Box 1
Identifier: 0300.009
Scope and Contents On 18 February 1847, a meeting of citizens in Faneuil Hall passed a resolution of sympathy with the people of Ireland suffering from the famine and appointed a committee to receive contributions. The Secretary of the Navy placed the naval vessel the Jamestown at the disposal of the Committee. On 27 March 1847, the vessel under the command of Capt. R. B. Forbes of Boston and loaded with provisions sailed for Ireland. The document is a testimonial to Capt. R. B. Forbes from the Citizens of...
Dates: 1847
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Testimonial to Capt. R. B. Forbes from Citizens of Cork, Ireland

U.S. Service Men's discharges

 Series
Identifier: 0301.016
Dates: 1920-1996
Found in: City of Boston Archives / U.S. Service Men's discharges

Warrants issued for General Meetings

 Series
Identifier: 0300.007
Scope and Contents note

Warrants issued for General Meetings, 1825-1836. Includes warrants, petitions, notifications and copies of acts.

Dates: 1825-1836
Found in: City of Boston Archives / Warrants issued for General Meetings

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