Mining Maryland records takes persistence, patience
Part one of two.
By DONNA MURRAY ALLEN
Published July 31, 2003
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown is one of only a few bright spots I encountered during my recent genealogical foray into the fens and bogs of Maryland. The staff is knowledgeable, incredibly patient and they actually seemed to enjoy helping patrons delve into their past. Even more amazing, they respond to snail mail requests for obituaries. I wish I could clone them. The library also houses the Maryland Room, an upstairs enclave stocked with local histories, compiled records, maps and other useful resources.
By contrast, the Washington County Historical Society, located a few blocks away, has little to offer. Quarters are cramped and its collection of reference materials is sparse.
Rumor has it that the Maryland Historical Society Library in Baltimore owns an extensive collection of materials not found anywhere else. But it's closed for renovations until Nov. 1. See www.mdhs.org
The Washington County courthouse proved to be another disappointment. A fire in 1871 destroyed a lot of early records. Moreover, a goodly number of wills and probate records was shipped off to the state archives in Annapolis, Md., but they're not necessarily in matched sets. Of the five wills that interested me, the related probate and estate settlement records reside at the opposite end of the state.
The biggest letdown, though, was marriage license applications. The licenses - not certificates - are usually a great resource for identifying the parents of the bride and groom. Marriage licenses have been issued in Maryland since 1777, according to Allender Sybert, a librarian with the Maryland Genealogy Society, although early records in some counties have been lost. But Maryland never required parents' names. In fact, it still doesn't. Aaaarrrgghh.
The society's site at www.mdgensoc.org is worth a gander. It features a searchable database of surnames that each member is researching. Click on MD-MAP to get to it. And it offers a limited research service by mail.
Washington County seemed to have served as a gateway to other locales in the 1700s and 1800s. Residents routinely migrated to counties in southern Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Thus my experience is probably not typical of what you will encounter in more urban areas such as Baltimore, where civil registration of births and deaths began in 1875, so don't be discouraged.
My sagging spirits were lifted quite unexpectedly by the discovery of the Maryland State Law Library. Located on the outskirts of Annapolis, it's open six days a week. You can access its online catalog - nicknamed MOLLIE - 24/7 at www.lawlib.state.md.us Click on catalog. Hit subject and enter genealogy in the search box. Up pops 395 roots-related items like dozens of Maryland family histories, research guidebooks and compiled records pertaining to African-Americans. These are not searchable online. No computer? Call their toll-free number: 1-877-233-3871.
The library owns copies of all federal census schedules for Maryland and a small selection from bordering states. It also has copies of every issue of the Baltimore Sun on microfilm beginning with the first edition printed in 1837. Some early issues of the Maryland Gazette are also on microfilm. If you know the death date, the staff will locate and copy obituaries.
You might also come across other documents that may be helpful in your personal quest. If so, feel free to request copies. Duplication charges are 30 cents per page, with a $3 minimum. (Additional shipping charges may apply to large documents.)
When you want to contact county resources like the courthouse, library and historical society, check the directory at www.marylandgenealogy.com In addition to a few research tips, you can download a cascading pedigree chart for free.
- Read past Donna Murray Allen columns online at www.sptimes.com Type "Donna Murray Allen" in the search box at the top of the main page. You can write to Allen c/o Floridian, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or e-mail her at rootscolumn@yahoo.com Her Web site, www.rootsdetective.com includes information on classes and lectures. Allen welcomes your questions about genealogy and will respond to those of general interest in future columns. Sorry, she can't take phone calls.
