Accessing Baltimore Church Records:
MARYLAND STATE ARCHVES -
The Maryland State Archives Special Collections Religious Records Progam details the materials that available through the archives. Individual search requests can be submitted by mail. Microfilm is available for purchase or rental via inter-library loan.
The MSA Church Records page provides a description of the records that are available, including the necessary collection number and film number. This information is currently available online for the following denominations: African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Baptist, Church of God, Free Methodist, Jewish, Lutheran and Evangelical Lutheran, Protestant Episcopal, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), and Roman Catholic. As of June 2, 1999 the following are still under construction: Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Brethren.
The following Kanely books are excellent resources:
Edna A. Kanely, comp., Directory of Maryland Church Records,
Family Line Publications, Westminster, MD, 1993 [Call no.: 1500; Accession no.: L29033; Location: REF A-5-1]
Edna Agatha Kanely, Directory of Ministers and the Maryland Churches They Served 1634 - 1990, 2 vols. Family Line Publications, Westminster, MD, 1991 [Call no.: 0430; Accession no.: L26689-1/2; Location: REF A-2-5]
MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY -
According to the Maryland Historical Society web site the reference library has an extensive index of Maryland church records births, baptisms and marriages. Here are two specific resources that could be useful in tracking down church records:
- CHURCH RECORD FILE - a guide to locating Maryland church records: "covers all periods, all denominations, and all known repositories or records. Kept in ring binders on a book truck near the reference desk."
- NORRIS HARRIS CHURCH REGISTER INDEX - file cards arranged alphabetically by surname, providing genealogical information from part of the society's collection of church records. It is recommened that you check the Church Record Index for records which have not been copied, as well as the Manuscriptis Division of the library.
The Kanely reference books listed above would also be available at the MHS. The Directory of Ministers and the Maryland Churches They Served 1634 - 1990 is particularly helpful if you have the county/city marriage record or a newspaper notice listing the name of the minister who officiated a wedding but do not know the church/denomination where a couple was married.
LDS FAMILY HISTORY CENTERS -
Check with your local Family History Center to see if Baltimore church records
are available to borrow through Salt Lake City or other large regional facilities.
If you find out, please let me know and I will post the information here.
USING CD RECORDS -
Just a reminder - you can check the Family Tree Maker CD searchable database to determine if any names you are researching appear on a particular CD. In order to utilize free look-ups, you must do a name search to prior to requesting a search from Genealogical CDs - Specialized Free Lookups.
LOCATING BOOKS ONLINE -
WILLOW BEND PUBLICATIONS Home Page -
Catalogue listing includes a variety of publishers, including Family Line Publications.
Use the "Quick Search" feature to locate publications about Maryland. You may order by credit card via email, fax or phone, or by US postal delivery.
BOOKS WE OWN LIST - A look up resource utilizing volunteers that offer to search for information in books that they own. They have recently added CDs as well.
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