LibGuides: Maryland History: Maryland

General Maryland History Resources

Maryland Historical Trust Library Catalog

The Maryland Historical Trust Library is the State’s principal repository for information relating to Maryland’s architectural, archeological, and cultural heritage. The following types of resources are available to researchers: books, journals, site-specific reports, historic maps, written and photographic documentation about Maryland’s architectural and archeological sites, oral histories which capture the State’s cultural traditions through written transcripts as well as audio and video recordings, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and architectural drawings.

Maryland State Archives -- Guide to Government Records

The Maryland State Archives is the central repository for state government records of permanent value. The Archives operates with a broad legal mandate to acquire and care for both public and private records relating to the history of Maryland from initial settlement in 1634 to the present. The Guide to Government Records is the finding aid created to assist users in their search for particular records. The guide describes record series that have been created by state, county, and municipal agencies. Each record series has a unique identification number.

Maryland State Archives Government Publications

Permanent Public access to a wide range of Maryland State and local government publications and reports in hardcopy and electronic format. Included are: the State Constitution, laws and regulations; special commission, task force, and committee reports; annual and other official department and agency reports; transactional materials, such as agendas and meeting minutes; administrative materials, such as strategic and planning documents; compiled data, data analysis, and other statistical information; current information for public dissemination such as newsletters, press releases, announcements, and guidelines; and ephemera such as tourist brochures and children's games.

Research Library Catalog of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

The JPPM Library contains documents relating to archaeological sites that he Jefferson Patterson Park dating back thousands of years. Some of the sites, and the people and events associated with them, are known through documentary evidence, oral histories, and archaeological research.

Special Collections Catalog
This resource is a web-based tool to search and browse special collections of map, photographic, newspaper, private, business and religious records.

Historical Places

Maryland's Historical Markers

Launched in 1933, the roadside historical marker program has proven an effective way to draw attention to the many events, people and places that have contributed to the richness of our state and nation. The marker program is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust in cooperation with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).
Maryland's National Register Properties
The National Register currently comprises over 1500 listings in Maryland, including some 200 historic districts. Listed properties span a wide variety of types and periods, ranging from prehistoric archeological sites to buildings of the recent past, and include rural landscapes, urban and suburban neighborhoods. Search by Property name, address, or keyword.

Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP)

Medusa is the Maryland Historical Trust's online database of architectural and archeological sites and standing structures.

This interactive map shows the locations of noteworthy architectural resources and archeological sites. The database includes records for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties in Maryland, determinations of eligibility (DOE) records, and records for properties in the Maryland Historic Preservation Easement program.

Vital Statistics and Personal Data

Probing the Past: Virginia and Maryland Probate Inventories, 1740-1810

Probate records provide valuable information about the lifestyles of people during the colonial and early national periods. Such listings of possessions, from a time when household goods were not widely mass-produced, illuminate a family’s routines, rituals, and social relations, as well as a region’s economy and connection to larger markets. They also shed light on attitudes and policies toward slavery. For famous people, these records enrich our knowledge and understanding of their daily lives and values. For ordinary people, they offer a rare glimpse into their lived experience. These records also provide an opportunity to engage in comparative studies with other eras and to analyze how culture changes over time.
Maryland State Law Library Genealogy Guide

This resource provides a sophisticated description of Maryland genealogy resources how they can be used in conjunction with the wide variety of materials at the Library. Topics include: Cemeteries, Data Sources, Death Certificates, Law and Genealogy, Memorials, Links, Obituaries, Wills.
Maryland Probate Records (FamilySearch)

Name index to marriage records from the state of Maryland. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970 (FamilySearch)

Name index to marriage records from the state of Maryland. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
Maryland, Register of Wills Records, 1629-1999 (FamilySearch)

Images of probate records from court record collections from the Register of Wills in Maryland counties. Probate records often include wills, and other records dealing with the administration of estates including bonds, inventories, guardianships, real estate, and various indexes to the records. Includes the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Washington, and Worcester. Also includes records from Baltimore City. This collection is being published as images become available.
Maryland Land Records

The Maryland Judiciary, the 24 elected Court Clerks of Maryland and the Maryland State Archives have joined in partnership to provide up to date access to all verified land record instruments in Maryland. This service is currently being provided at no charge to individuals who apply for a user name and password.
Maryland Census

This resource contains digitized micro-forms of Decennial Census records, from 1790 to approximately 1920.

Maryland Vital Records

Search for death records in the State of Maryland. Indexes include the twenty-three counties other than Baltimore City for 1898-1944, and for Baltimore City from 1875 to 1972.

Slavery In Maryland

Legacy of Slavery in Maryland

The Beneath the Underground database features entries of over 400,000 individuals including, white and black, slave owners, enslaved and free individuals from primarily the years of 1830 through 1880 to review.

Slavery Commission

Assorted documents relating to the Slavery Commission

SEE ALSO the Lathan Windley Collection in Beulah Davis Room.

Maryland History: Maryland

Table of Contents

General Maryland History Resources

Historical Places

Vital Statistics and Personal Data

Slavery In Maryland