There is a lot of data online at the Maryland Archives, but it is not always easy to find. Even when you get to it, it is hard to see what is there, since it only seems to provide a search function which allows you to find something if you already know exactly what it is called.
The following are direct links into specific parts of the Maryland Archives website.
@ Family Search This does not provide info about marriages, only evidence that a marriage existed. Suggestion: Download 23 PDF files for later reference.
The following are links to archived copies of the 23 PDF files:
This is taken from CM174 below. Online copy (requires login @ Family Search), but result is hard to use. Local archived copy (1 PDF file, 7.6MB) still hard to use. Second archived index (1 PDF file, 60 MB) easier to use.
Chronological - not alpha 1777-1851 8 PDF files (770 MB total) (also on MF WK1396-1397)
See 1777-1799 from FamilySeach above for alphabetical index.
1832-1851 on microfilm (WK1397-1398) - go to Archives to view. Key:
1832-1839 - images [1-164]
1839-1846 - images [165-334]
1846-1851 - images [335-497] (last part very bad copy, unreadable)
Electronic index for 1832-1851 available from FamilySearch (above)
39 PDF files, 6 GB total Register arranged by 1st letter of groom's Surname. Gives date, ages, residences, single/widowed,divorced, minister (same as in CM205 and T2426)
491 PDF files, ~100 MB each for 1951-1981 (others not available online) Grouped by county. They can be found by "serial number" which is what is found in the indexes CM223-226 and S1851.
Whole state (except Baltimore City) Alphabetical card index - name, date, county, race, age 1 file per letter and year range
Note: The actual death certificates are at SE42 (1898-1910), SE43 (1910-1951), SE44 (1951-1969), SE45 (1969-1972), and SE46 (1973-2001). Data is restricted starting in 1922. To view the entries for one county within each of these lists, use the "filter" at the top. You have to go to the Archives to view the actual death records 1922 and later. (Hint: You don't need the certificate number to find it. The certificates are alphabetized within each month.)
193 PDF files, 10-40 MB each 1875-1893 by 1st letter of surname (tedious to search) 1894-1903 by 1st letter surname, 1st letter given name (little easier) 1904-1942 by 1st letter Surname, next vowel (easier still) 1950-1972, Soundex (huge files)
Electronic search by name to find date and certificate number. Note that the microfilm number given is not where the original is located. Use CM1132 to determine the microfilm number, which can be viewed at the Archives. Alternative index for 1875-1880 (which does give the correct microfilm number.)
Interment reports (card index) - See BRG 19-1 for originals. Links to begin of each: A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
McA |
McC |
Me |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
XYZ |
(Remember not to use the "Jump to Page" function. Edit the address bar instead. Also, use Control + to enlarge image.)
Viewable only at the Archives. If you know the death date, you should be able to find it without an index, since they are grouped by month and alphabetical within each month.
26 files, 330 MB total. One file per first letter (card-by-card search) This is a combined index into the files for wills, accounts, inventories, and balance books. Alternate search function.
Other indexes in S537, S539, S1393, S1394, SM14, SM16
Index (5 PDF files, 106 MB total). 1 and 2 are good typed alphabetized indexes, 3 and 4 are handwritten in liber/folio order. 5 does not appear to include Baltimore County
60 files, ~100 MB each, 5.44 GB total. Note: copies also available in the next item.
Colonial wills, accounts, etc.
1635-1777
TE1
Huntington Collection - 256 microfilms taken in 1946, each including 4 or 5 books. Contains court judgments, wills, balance books, inventories, accounts, inventories, testamentary, BA and AA County deeds, Black, Red, Brown, Blue Books, and index to wills, inventories, account, etc.
Unfortunately, the list at the Archives does not provide links to online data (which is lousy to use anyway). Use following for links to usable viewer: Viewer for Probate Records
Note that some wills are recorded both here and in Baltimore County.
6 PDF files, ~60 MB each - gives names, year of will, book/folio reference Hints:
- For early wills, use index to determine book, use index in that book to determine page.
- Also check above under "Colonial Wills", since some are also recorded there.
- Also check land records - some wills are recorded there.
See next item for wills for 1675-1852, Books 1-24.
11 PDF files, ~50 MB each Names, year of will, book/folio reference
1852-1970
CM219
Only 1856-1862 online (4 PDF files) 1925-1940 also available at FamilySearch.org
1925-1941
Family Search
Files with all supporting documents, can be found at two locations at FamilySearch.org (free login required). This link is a combined index.
Also the following indexes with (some) online data (lots of big files):
Baltimore County S531, Accounts, Prerogative Court, 1718-1777, 74 files CM126, Account of sale, index 1780-1851, 1 file CM128, Admin accounts, index 1631-1966, 10 files CM131, Admin docket, index 1851-1912, 3 files CM147, Equity docket, index 1851-1984, 20 files CM149, Estate docket, index 1908-1965, 4 files CM156, Inventories, index 1666-1965, 9 files CM182, Orphans court, index 1777-1967, 13 files CM1160, Indentures 1794-1823, 11 files
Baltimore City CM192, Accounts of sale, index 1851-1960, 11 files CM194, Admin accounts, index 1848-1968, 26 files CM199, Guardian account, index 1851-1869, 1 file CM201, Inventories, index 1839-1863, 1895-1965, 19 files CM208, Orpahns Court Proceedings 1851-1920, 131 files CM209, Orphans Court Proceedings, index 1851-1967, 56 PDF files, 60-100 MB each
71 PDF files, about 150-250MB each, total 12 GB. The manifests are at MSA T2821, (but with no data available online). There appears to be microfilm for some - a list can be found at BRG55-1, but these are not available at the Archives under these numbers. The originals are presumably located at the City Archives.
Passenger arrivals (Baltimore)
1820-1948
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M327 - This data (1820-1897) at FamilySearch.org contains 171 rolls of microfilm, which is a Soundex card file. See NARA explanation here.
A "browse" function. These cards look similar to the cards in BRG55-4 above, but sometimes have different data.
The Archives system for this is very hard to use. (Link in far left column.) It brings up 1124 "thumbnails" that totals more than 400 MB. So use this only if you have a very fast interface or have a lot of time to kill. Otherwise, use this display tool to display one page at a time. The County begins at image 928.
Includes those who were in the legislature, which is just about every (man) who was important.
Huntington Collection
1735-1900
TE1
Collection of 256 rolls of microfilm made in 1945-1946. It contains a variety of items. While portions are included under the appropriate subjects in this "Helper", here is a Full list
