MACRIS F.A.Q.
Massachusetts Historical Commission
MACRIS: Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System
Frequently Asked Questions
Last year my historical commission submitted new forms and photographs for properties in my town. Why can't I find them in MACRIS?
Data entry, processing and proofing of data from newly submitted forms can take 6-18 months. Digital forms and photos are not uploaded to the MACRIS web site until this process has been completed.My town's historic center was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979; why can't I find the nomination in MACRIS?
Some of the earliest nominations to the National Register have not yet been scanned and uploaded to MACRIS. This work is continuing, now taking advantage of digitized copies available from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).Does the nomination available in MACRIS differ from the copy on file in the Washington, D.C. office of the National Register of Historic Places?
Currently, the online version of a National Register nomination in MACRIS reproduces the paper nomination file submitted to the National Park Service office in Washington, including all of the photographs and maps still retained in paper form in MHC official paper files. In most cases, it does not include the signature of the Keeper of the National Register. Over time, we are replacing the MHC file versions with the signed National Park Service versions that have been digitized by the National Archives.Why are there photographs for some properties in a town, but not for others?
Not all properties included in MACRIS are represented by individual Inventory forms with a photo. Many are included only in property lists included as part of Area inventory forms or National Register district nominations, and no photo may be on file. Where photos of individual properties are included on Area forms, those photos are usually available as part of the MACRIS record.Why is the information provided by the Record Details Page sometimes different than the information on the Inventory form?
Information on the Record Details page is the most current information available to MHC, and the front page of the form itself may not always be annotated with the updated information. New information may include a changed street address, revised historic name, newly determined construction date, or a flag that the property has been demolished. Often a new Continuation Sheet has been added to the end of the inventory form explaining the update.How can I correct inaccurate or out-of-date information?
Addenda to existing inventory records can be submitted to the MHC on inventory form Continuation Sheets, or on the appropriate MHC Inventory form (available here) as appropriate. For further guidance, please write to mhc@sec.state.ma.us and include "MACRIS-Correction" in the subject line. Copies of new and updated information should also be sent to the city or town historical commission at their municipal address, as the local historical commission has the primary responsibility for creating and maintaining the inventory files on historic properties in each city or town.