This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you
should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me
and I will update the file.
 
Bill Green         bgreen@milo.nodak.edu     bill90@Delphi.Com
 
Date of last update: 4 November 1993
 
**************************************************************************
 
     GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF MARYLAND
                      5 March 1989
                      Robert McLaren
                    7810 Kincardine Ct.
                 Alexandria, VA 22310-4025
 
The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical
societies in Maryland.  Included in the listing, where known, are telephone
numbers and yearly dues.  This listing is donated to the public domain and
may be freely  copied.  Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used
in any other commercial fashion.  If you think this list has any value, then
donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National
Genealogical Society).
 
If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember
to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE).  Many of these societies
work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to
respond unless a SASE is included in your letter.
 
     Maryland Genealogical Society
     201 West Monument St.
     Baltimore, MD 21201
       Dues:
 
     Maryland Historical Society
     201 West Monument St.
     Baltimore, MD 21201
     (301) 685-3750
       Dues:
 
     Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society
     347 Scott Drive
     Silver Spring, MD 20904
       Dues:
 
     Jeweish Genealogical Society of Maryland
     c/o Allan T. Hirsh Jr.
     11 Slade Avenue
     Pasadena, MD 21122
       Dues:
 
Baltimore County
 
     Baltimore County Historical Society
     Agriculture Bldg.
     9811 Van Buren Lane
     Cockeysville, MD 21030
       Dues:
 
     Catonsville Historical and Genealogical Section
     P.O. Box 9311
     Catonsville, MD 21228
       Dues:
 
     Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society
     P.O. Box 9235
     Dundalk, MD 21222
       Dues:
 
Calvert County
 
     Calvert County Genealogy Society
     P.O. Box 9
     Sunderland, MD 20689
       Dues:  $10.00 per year
 
     Calvert County Historical Society
     Prince Frederick, MD 20678
       Dues:
 
Caroline County
 
     Caroline County Historical Society
     c/o Miss Dora W. Mitchell
     Preston, MD 21655
       Dues:
 
     Upper Shore Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 275
     Easton, MD 21601
       Dues:
 
Carroll County
 
     Carroll County Genealogical Society
     c/o Carroll County Public Library
     50 East Main St.
     Bowie, MD 20715
       Dues:
 
     Historical Society of Carroll County
     210 East Main Street
     Westminster, MD 21157
     (301) 848-6494
       Dues:
 
     Heritage Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 113
     Lineboro, MD 21088-0113
       Dues:
 
Cecil County
 
     Cecil County Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 11
     Charlestown, MD 21914
       Dues:
 
     Historical Society of Cecil County
     135 East Main Street
     Elkton, MD 21921
     (301) 398-0914
       Dues:
 
     Old Bohemia Historical Society
     Warwick, MD 21912
       Dues:
 
Charles County
 
     Charles County Historical Society
     c/o Mrs. Roger B. Merrick
     Route 3, Box 65
     LaPlata, MD 20646
       Dues:
 
Dorchester County
 
     Dorchester County Historical Society
     Meredith House
     904 LaGrange Street
     Cambridge, MD 21613
       Dues:
 
     Upper Shore Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 275
     Easton, MD 21601
       Dues:
 
Frederick County
 
     The Historical Society of Frederick County
     24 East Church Street
     Frederick, MD 21701
     (301) 663-1188
       Dues:
 
     Emmitsburg Historical Society
     Emmitsburg, MD 21727
       Dues:
 
     Middletown Valley Historical Society
     c/o Mr. George Ely Russell
     Rt. 3, Box 187
     Middletown, MD 21769
       Dues:
 
Garrett County
 
     Garrett County Historical Society
     County Courthouse
     Oakland, MD 21550
       Dues:
 
Harford County
 
     Historical Society of Harford County
     33 Courtland West
     Bel Air, MD 21014
     (301) 838-7691  (Thursdays: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm)
       Dues:  $15.00 per year
 
Howard County
 
     Howard County Genealogical Society
     Box 274
     Columbia, MD 21045
       Dues:  $7.00 per year
 
     Howard County Historical Society
     8328 Court Avenue
     P.O. Box 109
     Ellicott City, MD 21043
     (301) 461-1050
       Dues:
 
Kent County
 
     Kent County Historical Society
     Church Alley
     Chestertown, MD 21620
       Dues:
 
     Upper Shore Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 275
     Easton, MD 21601
       Dues:
 
Montgomery County
 
     Genealogical Club of the Montgomery County Historical Socierty
     103 West Montgomery Avenue
     Rockville, MD 20850
       Dues:
 
     Montgomery County Historical Society
     111 West Montgomery Avenue
     Rockville, MD 20850
       Dues:
 
Prince George's County
 
     Prince George's County Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 819
     Bowie, MD 20715
       Dues:
 
     Prince George's County Historical Society
     Montpelier Mansion
     Laurel, MD 20810
       Dues:
 
Queen Anne's County
 
     Queen Anne's County Historical Society
     Wright's Chance
     Commerce Street
     Centreville, MD 21617
       Dues:
 
     Upper Shore Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 275
     Easton, MD 21601
       Dues:
 
Saint Mary's County
 
     Saint Mary's County Genealogical Society
     General Delivery
     Callaway, MD 20620
       Dues:
 
     Saint Mary's County Historical Society
     Leonardtown, MD 20650
       Dues:
 
Somerset County
 
     Somerset County Historical Society
     Treackle Mansion
     Princess Anne, MD 21853
       Dues:
 
Talbot County
 
     Talbot County Historical Society
     25 South Washington Street
     P.O. Box 964
     Easton, MD 21601
     (301) 822-0773
       Dues:
 
     Upper Shore Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 275
     Easton, MD 21601
       Dues:
 
Washington County
 
     Washington County Genealogical Society
     c/o H. Daniel Boon
     Route 1, Box 77-A
     Keedysville, MD 21756
     (301) 432-6619
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
     Washington County Historical Society
     The Miller House
     135 West Washington Street
     Hagerstown, MD 21740
       Dues:
 
Wicomico County
 
     Lower Del-Mar-VA Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 3602
     Salisbury, MD 21801
       Dues:
 
Worcester County
 
     Worcester County Historical Society
     c/o Miss Julia Robertson
     3 East 2nd Street
     Pocomoke City, MD 21851
       Dues:
 
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                       VITAL RECORDS
 
A few counties recorded births and deaths before 1720 in the county land
records. The information has been indexed and is available at the Maryland
State Archives.
 
>From 1865 to 1899 some county clerks and the Secretary of the Senate
maintained birth and death records. These are incomplete and the exact dates
of the records vary from county to county. These records are available at the
Maryland State Archives.
 
State Records of Births and Deaths
 
Although Baltimore City began recording births and deaths in 1875, all
Maryland counties began civil registration of births and deaths in 1898.
These records and accompanying indexes are at the Division of Vital Records
(see address below). There are restrictions on who may obtain copies of these
records.
 
Birth records within the last 100 years may be obtained only by the
individual named on the certificate, or a parent, legal guardian, or
authorized representative. Authorized representatives must submit a court
order or a notarized statement signed by either parent or the person named on
the certificate.
 
Records of deaths within the last 20 years are restricted to surviving
relatives or authorized representatives.
 
The Maryland State Archives has microfilm copies of the records and most of
the indexes. For genealogical purposes, you can obtain the information in the
restricted records from the Archives.
 
Obtaining official copies. Official (certified) copies of all birth records
and death records since 1968 (since 1875 for Baltimore City) can be requested
by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope and a fee of $3.00 to:
 
          Division of Vital Records
          201 West Preston
          P.O. Box 13146
          Baltimore, MD 21203-3146
          (301) 764-3038 or (800)832-3277 outside Baltimore area.
 
 
Obtaining records for genealogical use. For a fee of $5.00, the Maryland
State Archives will provide:
 
-Copies of death records through 1968 (through 1942 for Baltimore City). The
archives will certify county death records if requested.
 
-Extracts (unofficial transcripts) of restricted birth and death records for
genealogical purposes.  The archives does not have county birth records for
1898 to 1913, but the card index to births gives the birthdate of the child
and his race, sex, and names of parents.
 
-Copies of restricted death records for surviving relatives and restricted
birth records if you present evidence of the death of the person named in the
birth record.
 
When writing to the archives, you will need to provide the exact date of
birth or death to request copies of birth and death records since 1951 (since
1942 for Baltimore City records).
 
Marriage Records
 
Beginning in 1640 the Maryland General Assembly required the clergy to post
marriage banns and keep registers of marriages. Since 1777, county clerks
have been required to issue marriage licenses and, since 1865, to keep
ministers' returns.
 
For copies of marriage records from 1777 through 1950, write to the Maryland
State Archives.  The fee is $5.00 and there are no restrictions on who may
obtain copies of the records. The Archives has the following indexes which
they will search. The indexes are also open to the public.
 
-Card indexes of marriages from 1650 to 1695 and from 1777 to 1886.
 
-A series of card indexes to Baltimore marriage records for 1777 to 1851.
 
-A statewide soundex index to the records of 1914 to 1930. (There is no
statewide index of marriage records from 1930 to 1950.)
 
You can also write to the county clerk or the Baltimore City clerk for
marriage records. The records from 1777 to the present are open to the public
without restrictions. However, these offices do not have the statewide
indexes that are available at the Maryland State Archives.  They often have
only microfilm copies of the early records. Or, you can contact the Division
of Vital Records for marriage records after 1950.
 
Divorce Records
 
The Maryland legislature had jurisdiction over divorce proceedings until an
1829 law gave some authority to the chancery court and the county courts.
 
Since 1853 divorce records have been kept by the clerk of the circuit court
in the county where the divorce was granted. Baltimore records are kept by
the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Baltimore City. Many records from
Baltimore City and metropolitan counties have been transferred to the
Maryland State Archives.
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
 
          Phone numbers:
          Maryland State Archives (301) 974-3914
          Maryland Historical Society (301) 685-3750
          Enoch Pratt Free Library (301) 396-5468
          George Peabody Library (301) 659-8179
          Maryland State Law Library (301) 974-3395
          Updates:
 
          Maryland State Archives : "For a $15.00 fee, we will undertake a
search for you if you can provide four pieces of information:
 
          full name of the individual,
          county of residence,
          type of information or record sought,
          and approximate date of the record.
 
If you have that information, we will search our indexes for up to one hour.
Unless you can provide exact volume and page references to records in our
custody, the $15.00 non-refundable search fee must accompany your request.
We cannot guarantee success, and any photocopies ordered are additional.
Send only one $15.00 search fee per letter, even if you are asking us to look
for more than one record.  Be clear and concise in explaining what you want
us to do.  Limit yourself to two or three questions.  Remember, we can only
spend one hour working on your request.  When we respond to your letter, we
will summarize the results of our research and include the photoduplication
cost for any relevant records we have located."
 
Re: Vitals : You can obtain specific information on access, availability, and
requst procedures by writing for our _Vital Records Order Form_.
 
          Maryland Historical Society:
 
Basic Service - For $8, plus $1.50 postage and handling, we will handle _one_
inquiry (e.g. search for one marriage record) by searching the following
resources:
             ..Dielman-Hayward file: our index to Maryland biographical
                    information in newspapers.
             ..Maryland Historical Magazine:  cumulative index to all
                    volumes.
             ..Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving in Baltimore,
                    1820-1897.
             ..Norris Harris Church register index: covering many of the
                    Maryland registers in our collection.
 
Extended Service - For $20 per hour (payable in advance), a professional
genealogist associated with us can be assigned to do research for you.  He
will search any and every source here at the Maryland Historical Society
which holds the kind of information you request.  As with the Basic Service,
however, we cannot guarantee results or make refunds.
 
I have dealt with both the Maryland State Archives and the Maryland
Historical Society on occasion.  Perhaps because of budget cuts or staff
cuts, the State Archives takes quite a while to respond to requests - about 5
weeks to answer a question and then another _9_ weeks to send a photcopy.
The Historical Society on the other hand responded within 4 weeks with the
information. (unfortunately, in my case, it was sorry, we were unable to
locate...)
                         From: colaianc@rimail.interlan.com (CAROL COLAIANNI)
 
**************************************************************************
 
                       STATE ARCHIVES
 
          Maryland State Archives
          Hall of Records
          350 Rowe Boulevard
          Annapolis, MD 21401
 
The Maryland State Archives has nearly all available public records from 1634
to 1789; most state and county records through the mid-twentieth century;
microfilm copies of land, probate, and vital records to the present; and an
extensive number of volume and card indexes. The microfilmed records can be
borrowed through interlibrary loan and a mail inquiry reference service is
provided. For a fee of $5.00, an archivist will search all indexes that are
appropriate for a specific search. Photocopies can be made for an additional
fee. The archives staff will also make photocopies and search specific
records and general indexes for a $5.00 fee.
 
  MARYLAND STATE ARCHIVES, Hall of Records
  350 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, Md  21401  (301)974-3914
     *vital records are open,  copies available $.25/page.
     *Have cemetery info on film, available on interlibrary loan to your
      hometown library if you have the film 's.
     *easy to park,  1/2 hr to 45 min. drive from Baltimore.
      There is much, much more available at the Md. State Archives.  I have a
      45 page booklet entitled "Guide to the Index Holdings at the Hall of
      Records".  Nothing beats contacting an organization before visiting.
 
  MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY            library: 9811 Van Buren Pl
  201 W. Monument St, Balto,Md 21201              Cockeysville, Md 21030
  (410) 685-3750                                  (301)666-1876
  Tues-Fri. 10-4:45pm; Sat. 9-4:45pm              contact: Elmer Haile
  fee = $2.50/day
     *early phone books
     *City Directories on film since the beginning.
     *photo and prints collection - need appointment for these.
 
  BALTIMORE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ARCHIVES
  1227 Maple St, Baltimore, MD  21227
 
  PEALE MUSEUM - "best photograph collection in town"
  225 Holliday St., Baltimore, Md  21202 contact: Mary Markey
 
  BALTIMORE CITY ARCHIVES, Pleasant St., Baltimore
     *Original passenger lists & index for port of Baltimore ( also
      available at National Archives on microfilm)
     *not too friendly to genealogists so know specifically what you want.
 
  PEABODY LIBRARY, 1 Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore
     *Has all the genealogy material formerly with the Enoch Pratt Free
      Library.
     *City directories as far bacck as they go. (published annually)
      9-3pm weekdays; 9-12noon Saturday; (410) 659-8179.
 
  MARYLAND LAW LIBRARY,  across the street from State Archives.
     *Houses the library of Prince George's Genealogical Society.
 
  ENOCH PRATT LIBRARY, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore (410)396-5468
     *City directories
     *Lots of Maps
     *The Baltimore Sun newspaper on microfilm from the beginning (dates
      back before the Civil Way)
                     From: colaianc@RIMAIL.INTERLAN.COM (CAROL COLAIANNI)
 
-Genealogical Council of Maryland
c/o Susan Johnston, Secretary
104 Park Drive
Catonsville, MD 21228
 
-Baltimore City Archives
211 East Pleasant Street, Room 201
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
-Enoch Pratt Free Library
400 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-4484
 
-George Peabody Library
Johns Hopkins University
17 East Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
-McKeldin Library
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
 
-Maryland State Law Library
Courts of Appeal Building
361 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401-1697
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
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                NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS
 
****************************************************************************
*   Bill Green       Minot, North Dakota  58701  *       Home of the       *
*            bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu               *      NORSK H0STFEST     *
*              Bill90@Delphi.Com                 *        Velkommen!       *
****************************************************************************
 
 
 
