Maryland Genealogy Search at a Glance
Maryland genealogy search, look up ancestors, browse MD archived records, history, census information and more online
1Maryland Genealogy
Maryland statewide genealogy links
- Archives of Maryland Onlineaomol.netFind Government Archives
- Maryland Vital Records Archivesvitalrec.msa.maryland.govHow to Obtain Maryland Vital Records
- Maryland State Archives and Libraries Searchmsa.maryland.govMaryland Archives and Libraries Search
- Maryland State Archives Guide to Government Recordsguide.msa.maryland.govState Archives Family History Research
- Maryland Historical Society Digital Resourceswww.mdhs.orgGenealogy Records from the Historical Society
- Maryland Public Library Information Networkwww.sailor.lib.md.usMaryland Library Genealogical Resources
- USGenWeb Archives Marylandwww.mdgenweb.orgSearch Maryland GenWeb Archives
- National Archives Mid Atlantic Region for Marylandwww.archives.govMaryland Genealogy Research at the National Archives
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Maryland's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Maryland state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The federal government's primary archive. Holds the U.S. census (1790, 1950), ship passenger lists, naturalization records, military service files, and land entry files.
https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (archives.gov)
Free online genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Digitized microfilm copies of many county and state records worldwide.
https://www.familysearch.org/ (familysearch.org)
The LoC's research guides, city directories, newspapers, and Civil War records, most accessible free online through loc.gov.
https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy (loc.gov)
Maryland Genealogy Search, FAQ
Is the 1950 census released?
Yes. Under the 72-year rule, the 1950 U.S. Census was released by NARA on April 1, 2022 and is free to search on archives.gov and familysearch.org.
How do I request a military service record?
NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis holds military service records. Requests use SF-180 and are free for the veteran or next of kin.
Do I need a paid subscription to do genealogy?
No. FamilySearch, Archives.gov, the Library of Congress, and most state archives provide substantial free access. Commercial services (Ancestry, MyHeritage) add convenience and private trees but not exclusive records.
Where are vital records for the 1800s kept?
Before state-level vital registration (roughly 1890, 1920 depending on state), most births, deaths, and marriages were recorded only by the county, the church, or the family Bible. State archives and FamilySearch are the primary starting points for that era.