Maryland Public Records

Many original documents for the colonial and early national periods in Maryland are found in the following two series.

Archives of Maryland
The published series is:

Archives of Maryland. 72 vols. Baltimore, Maryland: Maryland Historical Society, 1883-1972. (Family History Library book 975.2 B4m.) These indexed volumes contain transcripts of original records from the colonial period through the Revolutionary War. The records include the:


 * Proceedings of the Provincial Council, 1636 to 1770 (vols. 3, 5, 8, 15, 17, 20, 23, 25, 28, 31, 32; Family History Library films beginning with 430292).
 * Proceedings of the Provincial Court, 1637 to 1683 (vols. 4, 10, 41, 49, 57, 65-70; Family History Library films beginning with 924323 item 1).
 * Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1637 to 1774 (vols. 1-3, 7, 13, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33-40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61-64; Family History Library films beginning with 924322).
 * Journals and Correspondence of the Council of Safety, 1775 to 1777 (vols. 11, 12, 16; Family History Library films beginning with 908298 item 2).
 * Journals and Correspondence of the State Council, 1777 to 1793 (vols. 16, 21, 43, 45, 47, 48, 71, 72; Family History Library films beginning with 908301 item 1).
 * Muster rolls of Maryland troops in the Revolutionary War (vol. 18; Family History Library film 908302 item 1).
 * Court of Chancery, 1669 to 1679 (vol. 51;Family History Library film 908320 item 1).
 * County Court of Charles County, 1658 to 1666 and Manor Court of St. Clements Manor, 1659 to 1672 (vol. 53, Family History Library film 908321 item 1).
 * County Courts of Kent County, 1648 to 1676; Talbot County, 1662 to 1674; and Somerset County, 1665 to 1668 (vol. 54; Family History Library film 908321item 2).
 * County Court of Charles County, 1666 to 1674 (vol. 60; Family History Library film 908324 item 2).

Maryland State Papers
The manuscript series is located at the Maryland State Archives and on microfilm at the Family History Library. These papers contain original documents beginning in the colonial period, but most of the items are from the Revolutionary War. These include petitions, letters, resolutions, muster rolls, and military returns.

The records include the "Rainbow Series," consisting of the Red Books, Brown Books, Blue Books, and Black Books. Microfilm numbers and further descriptions are found in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under MARYLAND - PUBLIC RECORDS, where you will find the following:

Black Books (Proprietary and Royal Government Papers, ca. 1636-1785). 11 Volumes. (Family History Library films beginning with film 012969.) This work contains messages, petitions, addresses, accounts, court proceedings, and other legal documents. The Black Books are described and partially indexed in Calendar of Maryland State Papers. Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission (Family History Library book 975.2 B4ma no. 1).

Blue Books (papers relating to stock in the Bank of England, 1733-1810). Five Volumes. (Family History Library films 012996-7.) These volumes detail paper money investment schemes and law suits against Maryland. The Blue Books are described and partially indexed in Calendar of Maryland State Papers. Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission (Family History Library book 975.2 B4ma no. 5).

Brown Books (military and civilian communications, 1775-1803). Nine Volumes. (Family History Library films 012993-5.) These books contain Revolutionary War correspondence, including lists of rebels, payments, seizures, arrests, and military engagements. The Brown Books are described and partially indexed in Calendar of Maryland State Papers. Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission (Family History Library book 975.2 B4ma no. 6).

Red Books (military records, ca. 1748-1827). 33 Volumes. (Family History Library films 012976-992.) These books contain Revolutionary government and committee acts, proclamations, correspondence, minutes including rosters, prisoners, and passports. The Red Books are described and partially indexed in Calendar of Maryland State Papers. Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission (Family History Library book 975.2 B4ma no. 7, 8, and 10).

An inventory and name index to the "Rainbow Series" Revolutionary War papers (except the Black Books, volumes 1 to 5 and 11) and to other records is:

Papenfuse, Edward C., et al., eds. The Era of the American Revolution: 1775-1789. Volume 1 of an inventory of the Maryland State Papers. Annapolis, Maryland: Hall of Records Commission, 1977. (Family History Library book 975.2 H23p)

Web Sites
http://www.msa.md.gov/

http://www.mdhs.org/